Clobetasol propionate is a corticosteroid used to treat skin conditions such as contact dermatitis, allergies, rash, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, herpes labialis, and psoriasis. It is applied to the skin as an ointment, cream or shampoo. It is also used to treat several auto-immune diseases including alopecia areata, lichen planus (autoimmune skin nodules), and mycosis fungoides (T-cell skin lymphoma).
Clobetasol propionate is used cosmetically by dark-skinned women for skin whitening, although this use is controversial.
Side effects are burning, stinging, itching, dryness, or redness at the application site when first applied to the skin. This should disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If it continues, stop use immediately.
Note: Whitening creams with clobetasol propionate can make skin thin and easily bruised, with visible capillaries, and acne. It can also lead to elevated blood sugar, hypertension, suppression of the body’s natural steroids, and stretch marks, which may be permanent.