Melacare
Melacare is a cream made by Ajanta that contains Hydroquinone 2% + Tretinoin 0.025% + Mometasone 0.1%. It combines Hydroquinone: skin-lightening agent, Tretinoin: retinoid (skin) and Mometasone: steroid (skin or nasal).
| Ingredient (salt) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hydroquinone | 2% |
| Tretinoin | 0.025% |
| Mometasone | 0.1% |
Hydroquinone
What it is used for
Lightens dark patches such as melasma.
How it works
A skin-lightening agent for dark patches (melasma, age spots). Often combined with a steroid and tretinoin in prescription creams.
How to take it
Apply a thin layer only to dark patches at night for limited periods (usually up to 3 months) and use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
Common side effects
- Redness
- Stinging
- Dryness
Get medical help straight away if
- Blue-black darkening of the skin (ochronosis) with long use
- Blistering
Be careful
Use only for short periods as prescribed; avoid the sun and use sunscreen.
Other medicines and interactions
Steroid combination creams thin the skin; do not use on the whole face long-term.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Tretinoin
What it is used for
Speeds up skin renewal; used for acne and dark patches.
How it works
A retinoid cream that speeds up skin cell turnover, unblocking pores in acne and fading pigmentation and fine lines.
How to take it
Apply a pea-sized amount to dry skin at night; start every other night. Use sunscreen; skin irritation in the first weeks is common.
Common side effects
- Redness
- Peeling
- Dryness
- Burning
- Sun sensitivity
Get medical help straight away if
Severe blistering or swelling
Be careful
Causes dryness and sun sensitivity; not in pregnancy.
Other medicines and interactions
Do not use with other drying acne products at the same time unless advised (benzoyl peroxide can inactivate some forms).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy; not recommended while breastfeeding.
Mometasone
What it is used for
Reduces inflammation and itching in eczema and psoriasis; as a nasal spray, eases allergic rhinitis.
How it works
A potent steroid used as a nasal spray for allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps, and as a cream for eczema and psoriasis.
How to take it
Nasal spray: 2 sprays per nostril once daily. Cream: thin layer once a day, short-term.
Common side effects
- Nosebleeds
- Headache
- Skin thinning with long cream use
Get medical help straight away if
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Skin infection
- Vision changes
Be careful
Do not use steroid creams on the face or for long periods without advice.
Other medicines and interactions
Ritonavir and similar medicines raise steroid levels.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Nasal spray and short cream use are generally acceptable in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Common questions
What is Melacare?
Melacare is a cream by Ajanta containing Hydroquinone 2% + Tretinoin 0.025% + Mometasone 0.1%.
What is Melacare used for?
Lightens dark patches such as melasma. Speeds up skin renewal; used for acne and dark patches. Reduces inflammation and itching in eczema and psoriasis; as a nasal spray, eases allergic rhinitis.
How should I take Melacare?
Apply a thin layer only to dark patches at night for limited periods (usually up to 3 months) and use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Apply a pea-sized amount to dry skin at night; start every other night. Use sunscreen; skin irritation in the first weeks is common. Nasal spray: 2 sprays per nostril once daily. Cream: thin layer once a day, short-term. Always follow the dose your doctor or the pack gives.
What are the side effects of Melacare?
Common side effects include: Redness, stinging, dryness, Redness, peeling, dryness, burning, sun sensitivity, Nosebleeds, headache, skin thinning with long cream use. Get medical help straight away for: Blue-black darkening of the skin (ochronosis) with long use, blistering, Severe blistering or swelling, Frequent nosebleeds, skin infection, vision changes.
Does Melacare need a prescription?
Yes. In India it is a prescription (Schedule H) medicine, so a pharmacist should sell it only with a doctor's prescription.
Can I take Melacare in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Avoid in pregnancy; not recommended while breastfeeding. Nasal spray and short cream use are generally acceptable in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What are the substitutes for Melacare?
We have no other brand with exactly the same composition and strength in our list yet. Ask your pharmacist for an equivalent.
Sources and further reading
- Hydroquinone: NHS · MedlinePlus
- Tretinoin: NHS · MedlinePlus
- Mometasone: NHS · MedlinePlus
NHS (UK National Health Service) and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) are free, reviewed medicine guides. Brand names and doses there may differ from India.
Composition checked against pack details from large Indian online pharmacies. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.
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