5 Skincare Tips for People With Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune condition affecting the skin, nails, and joints. Sometimes, it can affect internal organs, too. Common treatments for skin psoriasis include medicated creams, light therapy, and lifestyle changes. Sometimes, pill medications are needed. 

Whatever the treatment, a proper skincare routine is the foundation for all psoriasis treatments. If you’re not sure what that means exactly, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through five steps to taking good care of your skin if you have psoriasis.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system that speeds up skin cell growth. This means that instead of the regular cycle of skin cell shedding and renewal, skin cells in psoriasis mature faster and pile up on the skin’s surface. 

In plaque psoriasis, the most common type of psoriasis, this shows up as dry, red, scaly plaques, most often on the elbows, knees, and scalp. For some people, these plaques can itch or burn. 

But psoriasis is not just skin-deep: The inflammation you see on your skin can also have internal effects. For example, psoriasis can affect the joints and blood vessels, increasing the risk of serious issues like heart attack and stroke. For many people, treating psoriasis requires medications to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of complications. 

What can I do to help prevent flare-ups?

For skin symptoms of psoriasis, good skincare can go a long way. Dry and irritated skin is more likely to cause a psoriasis flare, so keeping skin moisturized and free of irritation is key to keeping psoriasis break-outs at bay.

Here’s what a good skin-care routine looks like when you have plaque psoriasis.

1) Use gentle skin care products 

Minimize skin irritation and dryness by taking no more than one short shower a day. Use warm water (not hot), and avoid harsh scrubbing. Choose a body wash that’s mild and fragrance-free. Some good options include Vanicream Gentle Body Wash, CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash, or Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash. Avoid perfume and body sprays. Using hypoallergenic, fragrance-free laundry detergent can also help. 

2) Moisturize your skin well

Keeping your skin well moisturized helps to prevent psoriasis flare-ups. Moisturize daily after your shower, ideally while you’re still in the bathroom and your skin is slightly moist. If your skin is clear, you can use a gentle cream-based moisturizer with ceramides, which help repair the skin’s natural barrier. A good option is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. If you have active psoriasis, a moisturizer containing alpha hydroxy acid can help soften and remove scales, such as CeraVe SA Cream or MG217 Medicated Salicylic Acid Cream.

3) Don’t pick or scratch at your skin

Psoriasis flares where there is skin trauma, something called the Koebner phenomenon. So try to resist the urge to pick at your skin. If your skin is so itchy you can’t help but scratch despite using a good skin care and moisturizing routine, that’s a good sign you need prescription medication. 

4) Consider using light therapy or a little bit of sun

One of the oldest psoriasis treatments is phototherapy, or light therapy. In this treatment, the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light in a regular and controlled manner. With the most common type of phototherapy (narrowband UVB), which is administered in a doctor’s office, about 70% of psoriasis patients see their skin get 75% better. 

Likewise, exposing affected skin to the sun in moderation can improve psoriasis. If you go this route, it’s important to limit your time in the sun to 5 to 10 minutes a day. Your skin should not tan or turn red, which would be a sign of sun damage. Too much sun can cause sunburn, increasing your chances of getting skin cancer. 

5) Don’t overuse topical steroids

Steroid creams and ointments work really well for psoriasis plaques. But they can have permanent side effects if you overuse them. 

On the face, they can cause redness, broken blood vessels, and breakouts. Since eyelid skin is very thin, steroids can penetrate that skin at a higher degree than other body parts and can cause glaucoma. On the body, using steroids that are too strong or for too long can cause discoloration, skin thinning, stretch marks, and infections. 

When using topical steroids for psoriasis, it’s best to rotate with nonsteroidal alternatives so that you’re not using steroids continually. Your dermatologist can guide you in coming up with a long-term skin care routine that’s safe and effective.

When should I consider medication?

If your psoriasis symptoms are still a problem despite a good skin care routine, it might be time for medication. There are good over-the-counter and prescription creams that can help, such as coal tar, salicylic acid, steroids, anti-inflammatories, vitamin D, and combination treatments. For people with severe psoriasis, including those with psoriasis affecting the joints, medications by mouth or injection are often necessary. 

But keep in mind: Certain medications and lifestyle habits can impact your psoriasis symptoms, too. Smoking, alcohol, and stress are all known psoriasis triggers. Smoking can even make psoriasis more severe and harder to treat.

Diet and exercise can affect the symptoms and severity of psoriasis. Consider following a Mediterranean diet, which is high in extra virgin olive oil, fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, and whole grains.

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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.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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