Skin lighteners & hidden medicines
Clobetasol & steroids
Banned in European Union, United Kingdom, Rwanda and ASEAN countries; also banned in Nigeria.
Why it matters
Strong steroids are medicines; on skin they can suppress the body's own hormone (HPA) axis and are kept out of cosmetics.
What to look for on the label
Clobetasol propionate, betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, fluocinonide, or any word ending in "-sone" or "-solone".
Full name: Clobetasol and corticosteroids
Country by country
Ghana: Steroids are medicines and are not permitted in cosmetics in Ghana.
Around the worldBanned in European Union, United Kingdom, Rwanda and ASEAN countries; also banned in Nigeria.
Why: Strong steroids are medicines; on skin they can suppress the body's own hormone (HPA) axis and are kept out of cosmetics.
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | bannedCorticosteroids listed in Schedule A prohibited agents (Bleaching Agents Regs 2019) |
| European Union | bannedAnnex II #300: glucocorticoids (corticosteroids) |
| United Kingdom | bannedRetained Annex II #300: glucocorticoids (corticosteroids); 2009 text |
| United States | medicine onlyClobetasol propionate topicals are labelled Rx only |
| Canada | medicine onlyGlucocorticoids, steroids and clobetasone on Hotlist prohibited list as therapeutic |
| Rwanda | bannedProducts with corticosteroids/steroids are on the Rwanda FDA prohibited list |
| ASEAN countries | bannedAnnex II #300: glucocorticoids |
More about Clobetasol & steroids
Sources: NAFDAC Bleaching Agents Regs 2019 (PolicyVault copy) · Reg 1223/2009 Annex II as adopted (legislation.gov.uk) · FDA label: clobetasol propionate gel 0.05% · Health Canada: Changes to the Hotlist · Rwanda FDA prohibited cosmetics list (Sep 2023) · ASEAN Cosmetic Directive Annex II (June 2026). Checked 2026-10-19; rules change, so check the regulator before relying on it.
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Education, not legal advice. Rules change: check with your country's regulator before relying on this.