On This Page:Super Potent (Ultra-High Potency)|High Potency|Moderate (Medium) Potency|Low Potency
Curious about the potency of topical steroids? Perhaps your health care provider prescribed you a treatment and you’d like to know how potent it is.
Below you will find a chart of topical steroids classified by their potency. Both the brand names and generic names are listed.
Are you looking for non-steroid or over-the-counter options? While topical steroids require a prescription from a health care provider, there are over-the-counter and non-steroid treatment options available to you without a prescription.
NPF's Seal of Recognition has a searchable list of products like shampoos and moisturizers, and even household items, all of which are made or intended to be non-irritating to your sensitive skin.
This chart is for educational use only. Please read the full prescription insert for known side effects, precautions, or warnings. Also, please talk with your health care provider for the specific dose and frequency that is right for you. The National Psoriasis Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment for psoriatic disease.
Super Potent (Ultra-High Potency)
High Potency
Moderate (Medium) Potency
Low Potency
For Patients: Please read the full prescription insert for known side effects, precautions, or warnings. Also, please talk with your provider about the specific dose and frequency that is right for you.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis affects more than 3% of the US adult population. That is more than 7.5 million US adults.
Learn about psoriasis
Treatment & Care
Learn about different treatment options for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and talk to your doctor about what might be right for you.
Treament & Care for Psoriasis
Is it Psoriasis or Eczema?
Eczema and psoriasis have similar symptoms that may have you confused, so we talked with an expert about how to tell the difference.
Learn the differences
What Can You Get Over-the-Counter?
While topical steroids require a prescription from a health care provider, there are over-the-counter treatment options that may help reduce the symptoms you are experiencing.
The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors and advised on medical issues by the Medical Board and the Scientific Advisory Committee.
National Psoriasis Foundation education materials are reviewed by the NPF Research Team and by lead Medical/Scientific advisors as appropriate and are not intended to replace the counsel of a health care provider. The Foundation does not endorse any medications, products, or treatments for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and advises you to consult with a physician before initiating any treatment.
Last updated on 10/25/2022 by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
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