The present inventions relate to novel skin protectant creams and the use of such creams to cleanse, treat, and protect skin. The skin protectant creams can be topically applied to protect skin from irritants, to block the action of irritants such as enzymes, and to treat skin that has been subject to irritants. The creams can be applied manually or incorporated into disposable applicators, such as wipers or swabs. The skin protectant creams of the present invention are particularly useful in the prevention of severe skin breakdown which can lead to partial thickness skin wounds.