Acneiform eruption induced by use of beauty cream

Background A recent trend in females, attending beauty clinics, is to use a beauty cream to make their complexion fair. The use of such creams subsequently results in acneiform eruption. Patients and methods During a period of 3 years 90 female patients (60 unmarried and 30 married) were seen in skin out-patient clinic of Nishtar Hospital, Multan, with acneiform eruptions on the face due to use of beauty cream (mixture of Betnovate cream® betamethasone valerate 0.1%), Archi cream® - main ingredient: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and Stillman's freckle cream® - hydroquinone) prescribed by beauticians to improve the complexion of the face and acne. Results About after 6 weeks, comedones started appearing on the face in majority of the patients and gradually replaced by papules and pustules and nodules (in some patients). Mild hirsutism was seen only in 20 patients whereas 15 (17%) patients also had atrophy and telangiectasia on the face. The beauty cream was stopped in all these patients and lesions were treated accordingly. Majority of the lesions took a long time to heal and left behind mild hyperpigmentation. Conclusion The general public should be made aware of hazards associated with the use of these commonly prescribed beauty creams.