Fashion Fair cream is used in short courses to treat severe inflammatory skin disorders, such as those below, when milder corticosteroids have not been effective.

1. Eczema.

2. Psoriasis.

3. Skin disorder called lichen planus, in which there are patches on the skin that appear as flat-topped, shiny, almost violet itchy areas.

4. Skin disorder called discoid lupus erythematosus, which is caused by the immune system attacking the skin.

Fashion Fair cream contain the active ingredient clobetasol propionate, which is a type of medicine called a topical corticosteroid.

Corticosteroids (also known as steroids) are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Skin inflammation may occur as a result of an allergic reaction, or irritation of the skin. It is caused by the immune system releasing substances that make blood vessels in the skin widen. This makes the irritated area become red, swollen, itchy and painful, as is seen in dermatitis or eczema.

When clobetasol is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the skin cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch.

There is a range of potencies of corticosteroids applied to the skin. Clobetasol propionate is classed as a very potent corticosteroid. It is prescribed to treat severe inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis that have not responded to weaker corticosteroids.