Halobetasol should not be used on the face or for acne because it is a super-high potency topical corticosteroid. The skin on the face is quite thin compared with the skin on other areas of the body and using halobetasol on the face can increase the risk of acne and other side effects such as:
- Dryness
- Irritation
- Itching
- Redness
- Red or purple blotches underneath the skin
- Skin discoloration or thinning
- Small red or white bumps or a rash around the mouth
- Unwanted hair growth.
Halobetasol should also not be used on the scalp, groin, or axillae (armpit).
Halobetasol is usually prescribed to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Using more than 50 gram per week of halobetasol or using it for more than two consecutive weeks is not recommended because even topical use has the potential to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which can upset the levels of naturally occurring cortisol in your body. Halobetasol should not be used in children under the age of 12.