Indian Government mulls ban of fairness skin creams containing steroids

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 26, 2018

The Union Government is planning to ban skin lightening creams that contain topical steroids as dermatologists are increasingly voicing concerns over their effects on skin health.

The government could soon be banning the sale of skin lightening creams containing steroids without a prescription. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will bring in stricter regulations for creams that contain corticosteroids as this, although effective in lightening skin, can cause very serious damage to the skin and health in general.

Some of the strong topical steroids found in skin lightening creams include Alclometasone, Beclomethasone, Betamethasone, Desonide, Desoximetasone, Diflorasone Diacetate, Fluocinonide, Fluocinoloneacetonide, Halobetasol Propoionate, Halometasone, Methylprednisone, Prednicarbate, and, Triamcinolone Acetonide. All of these can cause Topical Steroid Damaged Face (TSDF), a type of skin damage. Many simple skin problems are also becoming impossible to treat due to the over use of such steroids.

The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) has suggested that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Ministry of Health regulate the market better in order to protect consumers from TSDF.

However, as topical creams do not always mention all of their ingredients on the packaging, it is hard to know which contain steroids. Therefore, regulating the market could prove a challenge but the government looks set to take the first step.