Elocon (Mometasone Furoate): Uses, Face, Scalp & Safety
▶ In short — Elocon (mometasone)
Elocon contains mometasone furoate 0.1%, a potent (UK Class 3) topical steroid for eczema, dermatitis and body psoriasis. Its stand-out feature is once-daily dosing. It comes as a cream, ointment and scalp lotion. It's not a routine face treatment — potent steroids on the face are short-term only, under guidance. Prescription-only in the UK.
Part of the Access Doctor Eczema & Dermatitis guide. To see where Elocon sits among topical steroids, see the UK steroid potency ladder.
What Is Elocon / Mometasone?
Elocon is the brand name for mometasone furoate 0.1%, a synthetic topical corticosteroid used to calm inflamed, itchy skin. It's classed as potent and is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. Generic mometasone furoate cream and ointment are the same medicine under the ingredient name.
Two things make mometasone distinctive: it's applied once a day (many other potent steroids need twice-daily use), and it's rapidly broken down once absorbed through the skin, which gives it a relatively favourable systemic-exposure profile for a steroid of its strength.
How Strong Is Elocon?
On the UK four-tier potency scale, mometasone furoate 0.1% is potent (Class 3) — the same tier as Betnovate. It's stronger than mild and moderate steroids, and weaker than very potent clobetasol.
| Class | Potency | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Mild | Hydrocortisone 0.5–1% |
| Class 2 | Moderate | Clobetasone (Eumovate) |
| Class 3 | Potent | Mometasone (Elocon), betamethasone valerate 0.1% (Betnovate) |
| Class 4 | Very potent | Clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Dermovate) |
What Elocon Treats
Elocon is licensed for inflammatory skin conditions that respond to a potent steroid:
- Atopic eczema (dermatitis) — moderate-to-severe flares on the body;
- Contact dermatitis — once the trigger is removed or avoided;
- Discoid (nummular) eczema;
- Psoriasis — plaque psoriasis on the body (not facial or flexural without specialist advice);
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis and scalp conditions — using the scalp lotion (see below).
It is not for acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, or untreated skin infections (bacterial, viral or fungal) — a potent steroid on an infection will make it worse.
Cream, Ointment & Scalp Lotion
All three contain mometasone furoate 0.1%; the vehicle decides which suits your skin:
| Formulation | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Elocon cream | Moist or weeping eczema; general body use | Lighter, less greasy |
| Elocon ointment | Dry, scaly or thickened (lichenified) skin | Occlusive; penetrates chronic skin better |
| Elocon scalp lotion | Scalp & hair-bearing skin | Alcohol-based; spreads through hair; flammable until dry |
Elocon on the Face
People often search for "Elocon cream for face" — so it's worth being clear. Elocon is potent, and the face is thin, sensitive skin that's especially prone to steroid side effects: skin thinning, visible blood vessels (telangiectasia) and steroid-induced perioral dermatitis. For that reason, facial eczema is usually treated with a mild steroid such as hydrocortisone, not a potent one.
Only use Elocon on the face if a prescriber has specifically told you to — and then only short-term (a few days) for a resistant flare, applied thinly, avoiding the eyelids and around the eyes. It is not a routine or long-term facial treatment. If a facial flare needs a potent steroid repeatedly, that warrants a clinical review.
Elocon Lotion for the Scalp
Elocon scalp lotion is made for the scalp and hairy skin: the thin, alcohol-based liquid spreads to the scalp surface without matting the hair the way a cream or ointment would. It's used for scalp eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis, applied once daily to the affected areas during a flare.
- For seborrhoeic dermatitis, it's often paired with an antifungal shampoo (ketoconazole or selenium sulphide) that tackles the underlying Malassezia yeast, while the steroid settles the inflammation.
- For scalp psoriasis, removing thick scale first (with a coal-tar or salicylic-acid preparation) helps the lotion work.
Flammable. The scalp lotion contains alcohol — let it dry before using a hairdryer or going near a naked flame.
Get Elocon Online
Complete a short confidential consultation reviewed by GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. Elocon cream, ointment and scalp lotion available if appropriate. Discreet next-day delivery.
Start a Consultation →How to Apply Elocon
- Once daily. Apply a thin layer to the affected area only, once a day — more often doesn't help and raises the risk of side effects.
- Thin layer, affected skin only. Use the fingertip-unit method; don't spread onto healthy surrounding skin.
- Emollients first. If you use a moisturiser, apply it and let it absorb (about 20–30 minutes) before Elocon.
- Wash your hands after applying (unless treating the hands).
- Shortest effective course. Stop when the flare settles and step down to emollients (or a milder steroid) as advised. Don't use continuously long-term without review.
Safety & Side Effects
Used correctly and short-term, Elocon is well tolerated. Risks rise with prolonged or excessive use, on thin skin, or under occlusion:
- Skin thinning (atrophy), stretch marks (striae) and visible blood vessels — especially on the face and in skin folds;
- Mild burning or itching on application;
- Increased risk of skin infection at the site;
- Rarely, with very extensive or prolonged use, systemic effects (adrenal/HPA suppression) — a lower risk with mometasone than some potent steroids because it's rapidly metabolised, but still possible.
Children & sensitive sites: Elocon may be used in children over 2 for short courses under medical advice. Avoid the eyelids and around the eyes, and use extra caution in skin folds. Discuss use in pregnancy or breastfeeding with your prescriber.
Elocon vs Betnovate
Both are potent (Class 3) topical steroids of broadly similar strength, so the choice is mostly practical:
| Elocon (mometasone) | Betnovate (betamethasone valerate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Potency | Potent (Class 3) | Potent (Class 3) |
| Dosing | Once daily | Usually twice daily |
| Formulations | Cream, ointment, scalp lotion | Cream, ointment, lotion |
| Note | Rapidly metabolised — favourable systemic profile | The most widely prescribed UK potent steroid |
For the full Betnovate reference and when to step up to very potent Dermovate, see the Betnovate guide and how Dermovate works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elocon used for?
Elocon (mometasone furoate 0.1%) is a potent topical steroid for inflammatory skin conditions — atopic and contact eczema, discoid eczema, and body psoriasis. Its defining feature is once-daily dosing. It comes as a cream, ointment and scalp lotion.
Can I use Elocon on my face?
Only with care and usually short-term under a prescriber's direction. Elocon is potent and facial skin is prone to steroid side effects, so facial eczema is normally treated with a mild steroid like hydrocortisone. A prescriber may use Elocon on the face briefly for a resistant flare, but not routinely or long-term.
Is Elocon lotion good for the scalp?
Yes — Elocon scalp lotion is designed for scalp and hair-bearing skin; its lotion vehicle reaches the scalp without matting hair. It's used for scalp eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis, applied once daily. For seborrhoeic dermatitis it's often combined with an antifungal shampoo.
Is Elocon a strong steroid?
It's classed as potent (UK Class 3), the same tier as Betnovate — stronger than mild (hydrocortisone) and moderate (Eumovate) steroids, but weaker than very potent clobetasol (Dermovate). Mometasone is rapidly broken down after absorption, giving a relatively favourable systemic profile for its strength.
How often do you apply Elocon?
Once daily — its main practical advantage over many potent steroids. Apply a thin layer to the affected area only, for the shortest effective course, and don't exceed what your prescriber advises.
Elocon or Betnovate — what's the difference?
Both are potent (Class 3) steroids of similar strength. The main difference is practical: Elocon is once daily, Betnovate is usually twice daily. A prescriber chooses based on the condition, site and your history.
References
- Electronic Medicines Compendium. Elocon (mometasone furoate) cream, ointment & scalp lotion: SmPC. medicines.org.uk/emc
- Joint Formulary Committee. Mometasone furoate. British National Formulary. bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/mometasone-furoate
- NICE. Eczema — atopic: Clinical Knowledge Summary. 2024. cks.nice.org.uk/topics/eczema-atopic
- NHS. Topical corticosteroids. nhs.uk/conditions/topical-corticosteroids
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Elocon is a prescription-only, potent (UK Class 3) topical corticosteroid. Do not use on the face or in skin folds without specialist direction, and do not apply to infected skin. A clinical consultation is required before it can be dispensed. In a medical emergency, call 999.