Triamcinolone acetonide cream is used on the skin to relieve redness, swelling, itching, scaling, and crusting. It cannot be purchased over the counter, it must be prescribed by your doctor. The active ingredient, triamcinolone acetonide, is a corticosteroid. Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream is a nearly odorless, white cream. It comes in three strengths (0.025%, 0.1% and 0.5%) in 15-gram and 80-gram tubes and in 1-pound jars.