Topical Psoriasis Treatments – Relief for Dry, Flaking Skin
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This article shares topical psoriasis treatments, including commercial products and a variety of herbal remedies. For me, until I changed my diet and mindset, topical treatments were only minimally effective.
Doctor Recommended Topical Psoriasis Treatments
The dermatologist recommended skin care products looked like a shopping list made up by Procter and Gamble. I was not impressed. Most of the products had questionable ingredients.
I think it’s a good idea to eliminate toxic skin care and personal hygiene items, not add more of them. I use very few products, and what I do use is non-comedogenic and non-toxic. If this is not the case for you, you may want to change your skin care routine.
Doctor recommended topical psoriasis treatments include:
- corticosteroids
- vitamin D3 derivatives
- coal tar extracts
- anthralin
- retinoids (vitamin A analogs)
- petroleum jelly
- phototherapy (light therapy)
Some of these are available over the counter, some of these are prescription only. (Hunt around at your local pharmacy for “psoriasis creams”.) Some of these can’t be used in combination because one inactivates the other. Read labels, check with your doctor.
Phototherapy is typically administered for stubborn cases or cases that cover a large area of the body. Psoriasis is treated with either UV-B (Ultraviolet B) or PUVA therapy.
As a therapy, these treatments are administered by a physician (although home UV units are available). Many people find their psoriasis improves with more exposure to plain old sunlight.
One of the treatments that I used occasionally was petroleum jelly. It’s one of the few things that coated the cracking without causing more pain when my skin was really bad. This was a particular problem on my elbows.
When I asked at the doctor’s office why they recommended it, the assistant said, “Because no one reacts to it.” Fair enough, and true in my case.
Herbal and Essential Oil Creams for Topical Psoriasis Treatments
I was hoping that my hard lotion bars would work for my psoriasis, but they didn’t. I suspect that there may have been residual honey in my minimally processed beeswax that fed the yeast, but I’m honestly not sure. Whatever the case, applying the hard lotion on my active outbreaks made them worse, not better.
Friends sent an assortment of herbal salves and ointments. I tried many types, including plantain, comfrey, neem, dandelion and jewelweed. No luck for me, but perhaps your results will be better.
I tried Gaye’s essential oil Miracle Cream for psoriasis that she uses for her husband. It made me constipated. Sorry if that’s TMI. I have to be very careful with my use of essential oils.
Oils for Topical Psoriasis Treatment
My favorite oils for psoriasis treatment are coconut, tamanu, and argan oil. These oils have antifungal and antibacterial properties. They soothe the cracked, dry skin of plaque psoriasis, and treat the underlying candida overgrowth.
I started with coconut and tamanu, but eventually switched to argan. Argan oil absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy. It is non-comedogenic and gentle on my aging skin. This is my favorite brand.
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Warm Baths as a Topical Psoriasis Treatment
I aim to take a warm bath at least once a week. I also soak after BodyTalk sessions. I’ve read stories of people who vacation by the ocean and found that the salt water cleared their psoriasis.
When soaking, use warm water, not scalding hot, which can dry and irritate the skin. Several sites suggest 15 minutes, but I tend to soak a little longer. If I’m going to take the time to fill the tub, I’m going to make full use of it.
I like to add Epsom salts and/or Dead Sea salts to my bathwater. Oatmeal is another well known skin soother. You can buy finely ground preparations, such as Aveeno bath treatment, or just put some oatmeal in an old sock. Place the oatmeal filled sock into the tub, and squeeze the milky oat liquid into the bathwater.
You can also brew an herbal tea using chamomile, plantain or oat tops, and add the tea to your bathwater. Use about 1/4 cup dried herb in 4 quarts of boiling water. Let steep for at least 15 minutes, strain and add to bathwater.
Keep Working for Solutions
There are a ton of topical psoriasis treatments out there, and I have by no means tried them all. If you have a particular product that you have found works well for you, I’d love to hear about it.
My skin has been clear for nearly 8 years now, so I know that healing is possible.
Recommended resources:
Other posts in the series:
- Alternative Psoriasis Treatments
- My Anti-Candida, Anti-Psoriasis Diet
- Candida
- Psoriasis Causes
- Toxic Skin – My Mother’s Nightmare
- Psoriasis – The Year My Face Exploded
- Psoriasis on My Hands
Get the Book – Psoriasis Healing
Now available in kindle or print, “Psoriasis Healing – From Curse to Blessing“. Released in 2020, this book shares my story and other tips for healing.
More Support
If you need support or ideas for dealing with chronic illness, check out our membership website, Bona Cresco. We have private forums (members only, not on social media) where we can discuss natural health options.
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is a lifelong learner with a passion for natural remedies and holistic healing. She’s successfully improved her eyesight and cleared her psoriasis.
Originally posted in 2016, last updated in 2024.