As other corticosteroids, Desonide has topical anti inflammatory and steroid topical characteristics. The mechanism of action on how a topical steroid posseses an anti-inflammatory effect, is generaly unclear. It is predicted that corticosteroid may act through induction of phospholipase-A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively known as lipocortin. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin and leucotrienes by inhibiting the release of their precursor (i.e. Arachidonic acid) from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase-A2.