Viscopaste and Ichthopaste Bandages and Zipzoc Medicated Stocking have a heritage to be proud of and have been trusted by clinicians for decades to treat patients successfully. But despite their longevity in the armoury of many healthcare professionals, there is often still some uncertainty around product selection, with clinicians asking, ‘how do I know which product to choose for my patient?’ Despite using the products for many years, clinicians and patients are often unable to explain the specific modes of action of zinc oxide and ichthammol. This can result in a knowledge gap in relation to product choice and the healing success that they observe. This feature provides the reader with a better understanding of when it might be desirable to choose one of these products over another. But first, let’s look at the main raw ingredients of zinc oxide and ichthammol.