10 Best Psoriasis Creams, Ointments, Lotions, and Shampoos

Psoriasis is a common skin condition. Outbreaks appear as red, violet, brown, or gray scaly plaques that itch and flake. 

Treatment for psoriasis typically starts with topical medications. These are creams or ointments you apply directly to affected skin. If topicals alone don’t work, additional treatments, called “systemic” or whole-body treatments, may be needed. These can include pills, injections, and even light therapy. It’s common to need more than one treatment at the same time.

Topical medications for psoriasis are available by prescription and over the counter (OTC). They can be used alone or in combination with systemic treatments. Not only do creams and ointments help improve symptoms of psoriasis, but they can also lower the amount of systemic treatment needed. 

Here’s a list of 10 creams and other topical treatments that work best for psoriasis.

1. Topical steroids

Prescription-strength topical steroids are the most effective topical treatment for psoriasis. They help lessen inflammation, prevent cells from overgrowing, and thin out psoriasis plaques. Dermatologists may prescribe them alone or alongside other treatments. They come in different forms, strengths, and potencies. Prescription-strength topical steroids are stronger and generally work better than OTC hydrocortisone products.

Common topical steroids prescribed for psoriasis include:

• Clobetasol 0.05% (cream, ointment, shampoo, solution, or foam)

• Triamcinolone 0.1% (cream or ointment)

• Hydrocortisone 2.5% (cream)

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It’s important to note that topical steroids can stop working for psoriasis if you overuse them. They can also cause side effects like:

• Thin skin

• Bruising

• Stretch marks

• Broken blood vessels

• Worsening acne and rosacea

• Skin discoloration

To lower the risk of side effects and keep your treatment working its best, it’s best to use topical steroids in rotation with other prescription medications, like those listed here. 

2. Tazarotene

Tazarotene (Tazorac), a cream and gel derived from vitamin A, is FDA-approved to treat psoriasis. It works by thinning out psoriasis plaques. The main side effect is irritation. You can minimize this by using it with a topical steroid — either at the same time (spaced out to allow each medication to absorb) or on rotation. 

Tazarotene cream and gel is stronger than the OTC retinoids, which doesn’t necessarily work for psoriasis. It has the potential to cause birth irregularities, so avoid it if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You also shouldn’t use tazarotene gel on more than 20% of your body at once. 

Tazarotene is also available in a combination lotion called Duobrii. This is a brand-only product that combines tazarotene with the steroid halobetasol. Duobrii is usually used once a day and is only approved to treat adults. 

3. Vitamin D analogues

Vitamin D analogues come from the same vitamin your body makes when it’s exposed to the sun. They help by regulating the immune system in your skin and by preventing the overgrowth of psoriasis plaques. In the U.S., calcitriol (Vectical) and calcipotriene (Dovonex, Sorilux) are available. 

You shouldn’t apply vitamin D analogues to more than 30% of your body at once. Too much can cause hormonal imbalances. The most common side effect of these medications is skin irritation on and around the treatment area. 

They work best when used with topical steroids. Dermatologists often recommend rotating vitamin D-based topicals with topical steroids to lessen side effects from both medications.

4. Combination steroid and vitamin D analogue creams

Some products combine a topical steroid (betametasone) with a vitamin D analogue (calcipotriene):

• Taclonex (betamethasone / calcipotriene) suspension

• Enstilar (betamethasone / calcipotriene) foam

• Wynzora (betamethasone / calcipotriene) cream

Betamethasone / calcipotriene is also available as a generic in ointment and suspension forms.

These products work together to get better results for psoriasis than either one alone. They also make psoriasis treatment easier by reducing the number of applications you need to get results. 

5. Calcineurin inhibitors

Pimecrolimus and tacrolimus are calcineurin inhibitors. These treat psoriasis by reducing inflammation. Both pimecrolimus (Elidel) and tacrolimus (Protopic) are FDA-approved, but only for eczema. They’re used off-label for psoriasis in areas with thinner skin, like on your face, genitals, or in body folds. They can also be rotated with topical steroids to lessen the chance of steroid side effects in these sensitive areas. 

Although both medications carry a boxed warning about a theoretical risk of cancer if used long-term, studies haven’t shown that either medication causes cancer. 

6. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors

Zoryve (roflumilast) is a more recently approved cream for treating psoriasis. Zoryve is the first topical medication in this class of treatments for psoriasis. It works by blocking a molecule called phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), which is involved in communication between cells. 

By blocking PDE4, Zoryve alters your immune system and reduces inflammation. It’s used once a day and can be used by people as young as 6 years old. Because it’s steroid-free, Zoryve can be used in sensitive areas like your face. 

7. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists

Vtama (tapinarof) is an FDA-approved cream for treating psoriasis in adults. It’s used once a day to lower inflammation and help normalize the skin barrier. Since it doesn’t contain any steroids, it can also be used on sensitive areas like your face. Some people who improve with Vtama will notice their skin stays clear for a long period of time without needing more medication. 

8. Over-the-counter psoriasis creams

There are several useful psoriasis products available OTC. But for most people with psoriasis, these are used along with prescription medications. 

Here are some active ingredients to look for when shopping for OTC psoriasis treatments: 

• Hydrocortisone: This is a milder steroid that comes in cream and ointment forms (like Cortizone-10).

• Urea: It helps soften and remove psoriasis scales. Examples include Eucerin Urea Enriched Roughness Relief Cream and CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream.

• Camphor and/or menthol: While these don’t treat psoriasis, they can help with itch. Examples include Eucerin Itch Relief Intense Calming Lotion and Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion.

• Salicylic acid and coal tar: Salicylic acid removes scale, and coal tar can help slow down the growth of psoriasis plaques. Read more about these below. 

The National Psoriasis Foundation has a registry of OTC products it deems safe for people with psoriasis.

9. Moisturizers

Keeping your skin hydrated is a very important part of psoriasis treatment. Overdrying can worsen flaking and itching, and lead to cracking, fissuring, and flares. 

Here are some tips to keep your skin moisturized and minimize irritation: 

• Take short showers, no longer than 10 minutes, using warm (not hot) water.

• Apply a gentle body wash.

• Avoid scrubbing, which can aggravate psoriasis. 

• After your shower, pat your skin dry, apply any prescription topicals to active psoriasis plaques, and then apply moisturizer all over.

When choosing a moisturizer, look for something that’s fragrance-free. For very dry skin, a cream- or ointment-based formula will work best. If you have a lot of scaling and flaking, a medicated moisturizer that contains salicylic acid (like MG217 Sal-Acid Multi-Symptom Moisturizing Cream or CeraVe Psoriasis Cream) can help exfoliate as it hydrates.

10. Medicated shampoos

For people with scalp psoriasis, the right shampoo can help manage symptoms, especially when used with prescription topical steroids. The two main types of OTC medicated shampoos include coal tar and salicylic acid:

• Coal tar shampoo: This helps calm inflammation, itching, and scaling, and helps slow the growth of psoriasis plaques. A common product is DHS Coal Tar Shampoo. To use it, lather into your scalp for 2-3 minutes, then rinse. Keep in mind that coal tar shampoo has a potent smell and can dry out your hair. A good strategy is to use it only on your scalp and wash your hair with your preferred shampoo as normal. 

• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid shampoo works by removing scale. It makes your skin softer and helps other medications penetrate your skin, so they work better. Like coal tar, it can dry out your hair and is best used only on your scalp. A common product is Neutrogena T/Sal.

Alternative psoriasis treatments

For some people, alternative treatments can provide some symptom relief as well. These treatments haven’t been proven to work, nor have they been evaluated by the FDA. Some can cause side effects, even if they’re labeled as “natural.” It’s best to test them on a small patch of skin first to make sure you don’t have a reaction. 

If you’re considering alternative topical treatments, look for creams and ointments that contain these ingredients: 

• Aloe vera

• Jojoba

• Capsaicin 

• Apple cider vinegar

• Tea tree oil

• Turmeric

• Oat extracts

• Indigo naturalis 

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Written by:

Maryann Mikhail, MD

Maryann Mikhail, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and medical writer based in South Florida. She is the founder of Waverly DermSpa in Fort Lauderdale and holds a voluntary faculty position at the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami MIller School of Medicine.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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