HSA warns against use of skin cream after woman developed severe inflammation

SINGAPORE: A woman in her 50s suffered severe inflammation, among other reactions, after using a skin cream that was found to contain a potent steroid, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Monday (Aug 26).
Members of the public are urged not to buy or use Touch Skin by DermaCare skin relief treatment cream, the authority added.
HSA found that the cream, which claims to soothe eczema, chickenpox and insect bites, contained a potent steroid betamethasone valerate. 
It is a potent steroid usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and such creams should only be used under medical supervision.
The woman had been using the product for about eight years and would experience flare-ups when she stopped applying the cream, said HSA.
She had purchased the product from a shop at Orchard Road and continued to buy it from the seller via WhatsApp after the physical shop closed in 2020.
In May 2024, she found out that HSA had issued a warning about a similar product called Special Skin Treatment, which was found to be adulterated with a potent steroid clobetasol propionate, and sold on now-defunct website touchskin.com.sg.
As a result, she immediately stopped using the Touch Skin by DermaCare cream, but developed red, sensitive and itchy skin on her face two days later.
After consulting a doctor, it was found that her skin was severely inflamed, sensitive to sunlight, and “thinned out” with telangiectasia or spider veins.
The incident was reported to HSA, with investigations revealing that both creams – Touch Skin by DermaCare and Special Skin Treatment – were sold by the same seller. 
Investigations are ongoing, said the authority.
“Long-term unsupervised use of such creams can cause hypersensitivity reactions, thinning of the skin and topical steroid withdrawal syndrome (burning, itching and redness following sudden stopping of prolonged use of topical steroids),” said HSA.
It added that the creams “may also be absorbed into the body and cause serious adverse effects when applied to large areas of the skin or used over a prolonged period”.
Such effects include high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders, an increased risk of infections, and Cushing’s syndrome.
Cushing’s syndrome is characterised by a round face or “moon face” appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs.
HSA urged those using the Touch Skin by DermaCare cream to see a doctor as soon as possible.
“Sudden stopping of the steroid-containing creams without medical supervision may worsen underlying skin conditions or cause topical steroid withdrawal symptoms such as burning, redness, itching or peeling of skin,” it said. 
HSA also noted that over the past two years, it had detected an increase in the number of creams marketed for skin conditions like rash, eczema and psoriasis.
However, these products, including Touch Skin by DermaCare, Special Skin Treatment, Star Cream, JolicareTM (Original, Baby and Collagen) and EUZEMA Confidence Revival Cream, were found to have been adulterated with steroids and other potent medicinal ingredients.
The majority of the creams were used in young children and sold on websites, e-commerce platforms, social media platforms and in one case, by a peddler in a makeshift stall, HSA said.
“As young children are more susceptible to the effects of adulterants such as steroids, they suffered serious adverse effects from the use of these creams,” it added.
“All sellers and suppliers must stop selling these products immediately.”
The authority reminded consumers to exercise caution when buying from dubious or unfamiliar sources or online sources.
Adulterated products are often manufactured under poor conditions with no quality control, and different batches of the same product may contain variable amounts of ingredients and/or different types of adulterants, it said.
Instead, consumers should only purchase health products from reputable pharmacies or retailers’ websites, as well as those with an established retail presence in Singapore.
“HSA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies products found to be adulterated with banned substances, potent ingredients or toxic heavy metals beyond the allowable limits,” said the authority.
If convicted, sellers and suppliers may be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$100,000, or both.