Elocon (Mometasone Furoate): Uses, Face, Scalp and Safety
What Elocon treats, how strong it is, cream vs ointment vs scalp lotion, whether it can go on the face, and how to use it safely.
Part of our eczema and dermatitis guide. To see where Elocon sits among steroid creams, see our steroid cream strengths guide.
Get urgent help first. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have swelling of the lips, face or tongue or difficulty breathing. Contact NHS 111 or your GP the same day if eczema suddenly gets much worse with clusters of painful blisters or punched-out sores and a fever (possible eczema herpeticum), or the skin becomes hot, swollen, weeping or crusted and you feel unwell. Online treatment isn’t suitable in these situations.
In short: Elocon contains mometasone furoate 0.1%, a potent steroid applied once a day. It’s licensed for atopic eczema and psoriasis, and the scalp lotion for scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. It comes as a cream, an ointment and a scalp lotion. It isn’t a routine face treatment, and it’s prescription-only in the UK.
Adults only online, and not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Access Doctor’s online eczema service is for adults aged 18 and over, and can’t supply treatment if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding: your GP or midwife can help. Children with eczema should see their GP or a pharmacist.
What is Elocon (mometasone)?
Elocon is the brand name for mometasone furoate 0.1%, a corticosteroid that calms inflamed, itchy skin. It’s a potent steroid and a prescription-only medicine in the UK. Generic mometasone cream and mometasone ointment contain the same medicine at the same strength.
Two things set it apart: it’s applied once a day, where many other potent steroids are used twice, and it’s broken down quickly once it’s absorbed, so less reaches the rest of the body than with some steroids of similar strength.
How strong is Elocon?
Mometasone furoate 0.1% is potent, the third of the four UK strengths and the same level as Betnovate. It’s stronger than mild and moderate steroids, and weaker than very potent clobetasol (Dermovate).
| Strength | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mild | Hydrocortisone 0.5% to 2.5% |
| Moderate | Clobetasone 0.05% (Eumovate) |
| Potent | Mometasone 0.1% (Elocon); betamethasone valerate 0.1% (Betnovate) |
| Very potent | Clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Dermovate) |
What Elocon treats
According to the product information, Elocon is licensed for:
- Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis): itchy, inflamed flares on the body that a milder steroid hasn’t controlled (cream and ointment)
- Psoriasis, except widespread plaque psoriasis (cream and ointment)
- Scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp (scalp lotion)
Prescribers sometimes use it for other types of eczema that respond to a potent steroid, such as discoid or contact eczema, once the cause has been dealt with.
Elocon isn’t for: acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, itching around the anus or genitals, nappy rash, wounds or broken skin, or skin infections (bacterial, viral including chickenpox, or fungal). A potent steroid on an infection can make it worse. It isn’t recommended for children under 2. If eczema looks infected, a prescriber may suggest one of the steroid and antibiotic creams instead.
Cream, ointment and scalp lotion
All three contain mometasone furoate 0.1%. The base decides which suits your skin:
| Form | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Elocon cream | Moist or weepy eczema; general use on the body | Lighter and less greasy |
| Elocon ointment | Dry, scaly or thickened skin | Seals in moisture; better for long-standing, thick patches |
| Elocon scalp lotion | Scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis | A few drops spread through the hair to the scalp |
Fire safety. Elocon’s product information warns that fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings) in contact with the product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard, even after washing. Don’t smoke or go near naked flames while using it. The scalp lotion also contains isopropyl alcohol, so let it dry before using a hairdryer.
Elocon on the face
People often search for Elocon cream or ointment for the face, so it’s worth being clear. Elocon is potent, and facial skin is thin and sensitive. It’s more prone to steroid side effects such as thinning, visible blood vessels and perioral dermatitis. Facial eczema is usually treated with a mild steroid such as hydrocortisone.
Only use Elocon on your face if a doctor has told you to. The product information says facial courses should be limited to 5 days, without covering the skin, and Elocon must never be used for rosacea. If a facial flare keeps needing a potent steroid, it needs a clinical review. Our online service doesn’t supply Elocon or other potent steroids for use on the face.
Elocon scalp lotion
Elocon scalp lotion is licensed for scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp. Apply a few drops to the affected areas once a day and massage gently until the lotion disappears. It spreads to the scalp without matting the hair the way a cream or ointment would.
- For seborrhoeic dermatitis, it’s often used alongside an antifungal shampoo such as ketoconazole, which tackles the yeast behind the flaking.
- For scalp psoriasis, softening and removing thick scale first helps the lotion reach the skin.
For more on scalp conditions, see our scalp psoriasis and dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis treatment pages.
How to apply Elocon
1
Once a day
Apply a thin layer to the affected skin only, once a day. Using it more often doesn’t help and raises the risk of side effects.
2
Use the right amount
One fingertip unit (about 0.5g) covers an area the size of two adult hands. Don’t spread it onto clear skin around the eczema.
3
Leave a gap after your moisturiser
If you use an emollient, apply it and leave around 20 to 30 minutes before Elocon. Keep using the emollient every day.
4
Wash your hands afterwards
Unless you’re treating your hands.
5
Use the shortest course that works
Stop when the flare settles, or step down to a milder steroid as advised. After long-term use, stop gradually rather than suddenly, to avoid the eczema flaring back.
How our online service supplies Elocon: adults 18 and over only, not for use on the face, and up to 3 × 30g tubes or 1 × 100g per order.
Safety and side effects
Used correctly for short courses, Elocon is well tolerated. The risk of side effects rises with long or heavy use, on thin skin, or under a covering:
- Thinning skin, stretch marks and visible blood vessels, especially on the face and in skin folds
- Burning, stinging or itching where it’s applied
- A higher chance of skin infection in the treated area
- Effects on the body’s own steroid hormones: rare, and only with very large areas or long-term use
Topical steroid withdrawal. The MHRA warns that, rarely, stopping a moderate or stronger steroid after long-term daily use can cause burning and spreading redness that looks different from your usual eczema. If your skin gets worse within 2 weeks of stopping, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before restarting it.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the product information says Elocon should only be used in pregnancy if the benefit justifies the risk, and not over large areas or for long periods. Our online service can’t supply Elocon if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so speak to your GP or midwife.
Elocon vs Betnovate
Both are potent steroids of broadly similar strength, so the choice is mostly practical:
| Elocon (mometasone) | Betnovate (betamethasone valerate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Potent | Potent |
| How often | Once a day | Once or twice a day |
| Forms | Cream, ointment, scalp lotion | Cream, ointment, lotion, scalp application |
| Licensed for | Atopic eczema, psoriasis, scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis | A wider range, including contact dermatitis, lichen planus and insect bite reactions |
For more, see our Betnovate guide, and how Dermovate works for the very potent step up.
Need a potent steroid for eczema?
Our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers can assess your eczema online and, if suitable, prescribe the right steroid for the area. Adults 18 and over. Dispensed from our UK pharmacy. Approved before 3pm, Monday to Friday? Dispatched the same day, by Royal Mail Tracked 48, Tracked 24 or Special Delivery guaranteed by 1pm next working day: you choose.
Start Eczema Consultation →UK safety and reporting side effects
Elocon and mometasone are prescription-only medicines in the UK. Before they’re prescribed, a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your consultation, including where the eczema is and what you’ve used before. Always read the patient information leaflet, ask before using it on a new part of the body, and never share a prescribed steroid.
If you think you’ve had a side effect from a medicine, including a reaction after stopping a steroid, tell your pharmacist or doctor. You can also report it to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme, which helps keep medicines safe for everyone.
A pharmacist can advise on mild eczema and sell hydrocortisone 1% cream and emollients without a prescription. Our private online service is for adults aged 18 and over.
Eczema treatments from Access Doctor
Following an online consultation, our prescribers can supply Elocon cream, Elocon ointment, and generic mometasone cream and mometasone ointment, as well as milder and stronger steroids, matched to the area and severity of your eczema.
Potent · Rx
Elocon Cream
Once-daily potent steroid for eczema on the body. Not for the face.
View product →Potent · Rx
Elocon Ointment
For dry, scaly or thickened skin.
View product →Potent · Rx
Mometasone Cream 0.1%
The generic version of Elocon cream, with the same medicine and strength.
View product →Potent · Rx
Mometasone Ointment 0.1%
The generic version of Elocon ointment.
View product →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elocon used for?
Elocon (mometasone furoate 0.1%) is a potent steroid licensed for atopic eczema and psoriasis (except widespread plaque psoriasis). The scalp lotion is licensed for scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp. It’s applied once a day and comes as a cream, an ointment and a scalp lotion.
Can I use Elocon on my face?
Only if a doctor has told you to, and then only briefly: the product information limits facial courses to 5 days. Elocon is potent and facial skin is prone to steroid side effects, so facial eczema is usually treated with a mild steroid such as hydrocortisone. Never use it for rosacea. Our online service doesn’t supply potent steroids for the face.
Is Elocon lotion good for the scalp?
Yes. Elocon scalp lotion is licensed for scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp. Apply a few drops to the affected areas once a day and massage gently until it disappears. For seborrhoeic dermatitis, it’s often used alongside an antifungal shampoo.
Is Elocon a strong steroid?
Yes, it’s potent, the same level as Betnovate. That makes it stronger than mild (hydrocortisone) and moderate (Eumovate) steroids, but weaker than very potent clobetasol (Dermovate). Mometasone is broken down quickly once absorbed, so less reaches the rest of the body than with some steroids of similar strength.
How often do you apply Elocon?
Once a day. Apply a thin layer to the affected skin only, for the shortest course that works, and don’t use more than your prescriber advises. After long-term use, stop gradually rather than suddenly.
Elocon or Betnovate — what’s the difference?
Both are potent steroids of similar strength. Elocon is applied once a day, while Betnovate is applied once or twice a day. Betnovate is licensed for a wider range of conditions. A prescriber chooses based on the condition, where it is and what you’ve used before.
References
- Elocon Cream: summary of product characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- Elocon Scalp Lotion: summary of product characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary: mometasone furoate. bnf.nice.org.uk
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Eczema – atopic. cks.nice.org.uk
- MHRA. Topical corticosteroids: information on the risk of topical steroid withdrawal reactions. Drug Safety Update, September 2021. gov.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and isn’t medical advice. Elocon is a prescription-only potent steroid and needs a clinical consultation before it can be supplied. Don’t use it on the face or in skin folds unless a doctor advises it, and don’t apply it to infected skin. In a medical emergency, call 999.