Lubricants, particularly those formulated for medical or wound care purposes (such as petroleum jelly or silicone-based gels), are supported by scientific evidence for use in the management of external ulcerations. Their main function is to maintain a moist wound environment, which has been shown in multiple clinical studies to accelerate epithelialization and promote optimal healing of superficial skin ulcers and abrasions. Moist wound healing is a well-established principle in modern wound care, reducing the risk of scab formation and subsequent scarring, and providing a protective barrier that helps prevent further trauma or infection.

A variety of guidelines, including those from the Wound Healing Society and the British Journal of Nursing, recommend the use of non-adherent, lubricating dressings or ointments as part of standard care for minor ulcerations, pressure ulcers, and similar lesions. Petroleum-based lubricants are especially common, as they are inert, hypoallergenic, and help to keep the wound bed moist without interfering with natural healing processes. However, while the evidence is robust for general wound care, the evidence specific to all forms of external ulcerations is variable, and lubricants are typically considered adjunctive rather than primary therapies. Nonetheless, their use is widely validated in practice and supported by a moderate level of clinical evidence.