Anti-skinning agents are therefore added to solvent-borne air-drying coatings to prevent in-can skinning during storage by prohibiting the drier effect until application of the coating. Methyl ethyl ketoxime is far the most used anti-skinning agent in paints, where volatile types are preferred.

Anti-skinning agents are therefore added to prevent unintended skinning on paints and printing inks. The need for preventing skin formation might range from preventing in-can skinning during storage in closed container to preventing the ink from drying in the press duct.