Topical agent	Inconvenience	Atrophy, HPA axis effect*	Staining	Skin irritation	Hypercalcemia	Comments
Emollients (Moisturel, Cetaphil, Curel, Nivea, etc.)	+	–	–	+/–	–
Low-potency corticosteroids (classes 6 and 7), such as desonide (Desowen), aclometasone dipropionate (Aclovate); hydrocortisone agents (Cortizone, Cortaid, etc.)	+	+	–	–	–
Medium-potency corticosteroids (classes 3, 4 and 5), such as triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog), hydrocortisone valerate (Westcort), fluticasone propionate (Cutivate), halcinonide (Halog), mometasone furoate (Elocon)	+	++	–	–	–	Duration of safe use unknown
High-potency corticosteroids (classes 1 and 2), such as halobetasol propionate (Ultravate), clobetasol propionate (Temovate), diflorasone diacetate (Psorcon), betamethasone dipropionate (Diprolene), clobetasole propionate (Cormax)	+	+++	–	–	–	Super-high potency safe for up to 4 weeks
Topical calcipotriene (Dovonex)	+	–	–	+	+ at 120 g per week	Safe for up to 52 weeks; pregnancy category C
Coal tar preparations (Estar gel, Balnetar, MG271, Neutrogena T/Gel, DHS Tar)	++	–	++	+	–
Anthralin (Anthra-Derm, Drithocreme, Dritho-Scalp, Miconal)	+++	–	+++	++	–
Tazarotene (Tazorac)	+	–	–	+++	–	Pregnancy category X