Identification of Steroidal Content in Different Brands of Beauty Creams by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)

Abstract

Beauty creams or skin lightening creams or ointments are widely used worldwide either to attempt to remove localised dark patches. These preparations may contain Topical corticosteroids.The prolong usage of high potency steroids in various dermatoses can causes local and systemic adverse effects.Sufficient amount of quantity of eight different brands (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) of whitening creams are extracted separately with 25ml of solvent. Standards solutions of following compounds i.e.,hydrocortisone, dexamethasone & betamethasone is prepared. The samples as well as the standards are applied separately on the TLC plates. A thin-layer chromatographic analysis was carried out on silica gel glass plates, using eluants and detection reagents. The aim of study is the identification and determination of steroidal content in beauty creams and to propose a simple and cost effective method.There is no indication of the presence of steroid compounds in any of the eight brands of the beauty creams.