Beware of skin creams with undeclared, dangerous ingredients
In the U.S., 31.6 million people have eczema, about 8 million people have psoriasis and 5 million contend with hyperpigmentation. Many want to find an affordable over-the-counter solution and turn to skin creams that promise positive results. But buyer beware.
That's the message from a study that looked at 18 popular products to see if their claims for a cure, which were not obviously supported by the ingredients listed on their labels, were the result of active ingredients that a consumer could not possibly know were in the product.
Harvard University researchers, writing in the journal JAMA Network, found that many products they tested had unlisted compounds in them that were hazardous. A super-potent corticosteroid called clobetasol propionate was hidden in six of them - sometimes in doses far exceeding what a bona fide Rx product could contain. Two of those six also contained antifungals, miconazole or terbinafine.
The researchers said medically unsupervised use of corticosteroids can cause skin atrophy, steroid acne, dyspigmentation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, and if they get into the eyes, they're associated with glaucoma. The antifungals can interfere with wound healing and worsen skin rashes.
So how can you be sure you're not causing yourself more medical problems by using an "the internet loves 'em" skin cream? See a dermatologist and get an effective Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment that won't cause you long-term harm, so you can monitor results together.
For more tips on maintaining youthful skin as you age, check out "The Latest Longevity Science YOU Can Use: The Roizen Report" at michaelfroizenmd.substack.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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