Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
Our pharmacists will review your treatment to ensure it’s suitable.
Your treatment will be delivered to your door quickly & discreetly.
| Medication Name | Clobetasone 0.05% Ointment |
| Medication Form | Topical ointment |
| Used For | Eczema, dermatitis, insect bites and mild psoriasis |
| Who Can Use | Adults and children aged 1 and over |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Clobetasone butyrate 0.05% w/w |
| Usual Dose | Apply up to twice daily to the affected area |
| Common Side Effects | Burning, irritation or itching at the application site |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Clobetasone 0.05% Ointment Patient Information Leaflet |
Clobetasone butyrate 0.05% ointment is a mild topical steroid medicine commonly used to treat eczema, dermatitis and other skin conditions involving skin inflammation, including:
It’s also used to help reduce inflammation of the outer ear.
Clobetasone ointment is suitable for short-term use or to help keep skin conditions like eczema under control.
Clobetasone butyrate is a mild topical corticosteroid (steroid). When applied to the skin, it works by calming skin inflammation and itching caused by the body’s immune response.
Unlike a steroid cream, the ointment base is greasier and particularly well suited to dry, scaly or thickened skin. It helps the active ingredient absorb into the skin while also providing a protective, moisturising layer over the affected area.
This ointment can be used by adults and children from the age of 1. It’s not suitable for everyone, so check the contraindications below before use.
Don’t use this ointment if you:
Speak to a healthcare professional before using this ointment if you have previously had an allergic reaction to another steroid.
Apply clobetasone 0.05% ointment to the affected area once or twice daily (up to 2 times a day), or as directed by your doctor. As your skin improves, your doctor may reduce the frequency of application.
To apply the ointment:
Use the fingertip unit guide below to measure the right amount
Fingertip units for adults:
Don’t worry if you need slightly more or less; this is only a rough guide.
If you’re also using an emollient like Epaderm Cream, allow the ointment to be fully absorbed before applying it. If you’re applying the ointment to someone else, wash your hands afterwards or wear disposable gloves.
Like all medicines, clobetasone 0.05% ointment can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
It’s generally well tolerated; most side effects are very rare, affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people.
These may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people:
The following very rare side effects are more likely if you use the ointment for a long time, apply large amounts, or use it under an airtight dressing or nappy:
You can report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme.
Active ingredient: Clobetasone butyrate 0.05% w/w (0.5mg per gram)
Other ingredients: Liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin
Clobetasone butyrate 0.05% is classified as a moderately potent topical corticosteroid. Topical steroids come in four potency levels: mild, moderate, potent and very potent. Clobetasone sits in the moderate category, making it gentler than a potent corticosteroid and carrying a lower risk of side effects than stronger steroids when used as directed.
Your doctor will advise the appropriate duration based on your condition. As a general rule, it should be used for the shortest time necessary to bring symptoms under control and frequency of application should be reduced as your skin improves.
Children shouldn’t normally use it for more than a week without a doctor’s advice, and adults shouldn’t continue treatment for more than a few weeks without review. If you need treatment for longer, talk to your GP.
Apply the ointment as soon as you remember. If it’s close to the time of your next scheduled application, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal. Don’t apply a double amount to make up for a missed application.
There are no dietary restrictions associated with using clobetasone 0.05% ointment. It’s a topical treatment applied directly to the skin, so food and drink don’t affect how it works. If you have any concerns about interactions with other medicines you’re taking, speak to your pharmacist.
Only use this ointment on your face if your doctor has specifically told you to. The skin on the face is thinner than elsewhere on the body, which means it absorbs more of the active ingredient. Using it on the face for too long carries a potential for skin thinning, and you should avoid getting it near your eyes.
Clobetasone ointment shouldn’t be used on infected skin unless the infection is being treated with an appropriate anti-infective medicine at the same time. Using a steroid on an untreated infection can make it worse. If you develop signs of a new infection while using the ointment, such as increased redness, swelling or oozing, stop using it and speak to your doctor.
Most people tolerate clobetasone ointment well. The ointment base contains only two excipients, liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin, with no preservatives or fragrances, which makes it a relatively simple formulation. If you do notice any new or worsening irritation after starting treatment, stop using the ointment and speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Topical steroids typically begin to reduce inflammation within a few days of regular use, though the time it takes to see improvement will vary depending on the condition being treated (e.g. eczema and mild psoriasis or another skin condition) and how consistently the ointment is applied. If you haven’t seen any improvement after 4 weeks, speak to your doctor.
Using slightly more than the recommended amount on one occasion is unlikely to cause harm. If you apply a large amount, speak to your doctor or go to hospital as soon as possible.
If you use Clobetasone regularly, don’t stop suddenly without speaking to your doctor first, as your skin condition may worsen. Your doctor will advise you on when and how to reduce use. You should also stop using the ointment and contact your doctor straight away if your skin gets worse, becomes swollen, or you develop a widespread rash during treatment.
Page content authored by Amjad Khan, last reviewed by Mr Muhammad on 17th July 2026.
