7 Skin Care Tips for People With Psoriasis
Key takeaways:
Plaque psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes scaly, red, brown, or purple plaques on the skin.
The right skin care routine can ease psoriasis symptoms. Your routine may include a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and over-the-counter products like coal-tar and salicylic acid.
Most people with psoriasis will need prescription medications to treat psoriasis flares. The right skin care routine can help maximize the benefits of prescription treatments so you can recover faster.
Table of contents
Psoriasis is a common autoimmune condition that affects the skin, nails, and joints. Psoriasis speeds up skin cell growth. Normally, skin cells go through cycles of shedding and renewal. But with psoriasis, skin cells mature faster and pile up on the skin’s surface. This causes dry, red, brown, or purple scaly plaques, most often on the elbows, knees, and scalp. For some people, these plaques can itch or burn.
Common treatments for plaque psoriasis include a combination of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products. Good skin care can help ease psoriasis symptoms and stop future psoriasis flares.
Here are seven science-backed tips for creating the right skin care routine for plaque psoriasis.
1. Use a gentle soap
Soaps and detergents can contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, and dyes. These things can irritate and dry out your skin, which can worsen your psoriasis symptoms. Choose body washes and soaps that are free of dye and fragrance when building your psoriasis skin care routine.
You can also look for products that are labeled as hypoallergenic, though you still want to make sure they don’t contain dyes and fragrance. Some good options include Vanicream Gentle Body Wash, CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash, or Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash. You can also take an extra step to protect your skin by switching to a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free laundry detergent.
2. Moisturize often
Keeping your skin well moisturized helps to prevent psoriasis flare-ups, and eases itching and flaking during flares. An emollient cream or ointment is a key part of a psoriasis skin care routine.
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Moisturize daily after your shower or bath. Don’t towel off completely after bathing. Instead apply moisturizer while 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. You can also use moisturizer throughout the day as needed. You may want to moisturize more often during colder weather, which can irritate and dry out your skin.
3. Soothe itchy skin with aloe vera
Skin trauma can trigger a psoriasis flare. This is called the Koebner phenomenon. So it’s important to avoid scratching or picking at your skin. This is easier said than done since psoriasis flares can cause itching and burning.
You can try soothing your itchy skin with home remedies like a cool compress. Your dermatologist may also recommend medication to ease itching during an active flare.
If you prefer a natural option, you can try adding aloe vera to your psoriasis skin care routine. Aloe vera has been shown to help ease psoriasis symptoms for some people. But make sure you choose a product that contains pure aloe vera and is fragrance and dye free. You can also make your own gel. You can buy aloe vera leaves at your local grocery store. Cut the leaf in half, squeeze out the gel inside and apply it to your skin. Aloe vera can irritate the skin so stop using it if you notice that your symptoms are getting worse instead of better.
4. Avoid long, hot showers and baths
A long hot shower or bath can be relaxing and soothing. But spending too much time in water, especially hot water, can strip your natural skin oils and dry out your skin.
It’s best to stick with shorter showers and baths. Experts recommend limiting your time in the shower to 5 minutes and tub soaks to fewer than 15 minutes. You also want to use warm but not very hot water while bathing. There’s no need to take a cold bath or shower. Just turn down the temperature a bit so that the water isn’t too hot and you’re still comfortable.
5. Use OTC medicated creams
Your dermatologist may recommend medicated creams that are available over the counter without a prescription. Some OTC creams can help ease psoriasis symptoms and prevent flares. These OTC products can be an important addition to your psoriasis skin care routine.
Popular options include moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acid or salicylic acid, which can help soften plaques. Examples include CeraVe SA Cream or MG217 Medicated Salicylic Acid Cream.
Coal tar products are another option that help ease inflammation caused by psoriasis. These products tend to be less popular because they have an unpleasant smell and can stain clothing. Coal tar products can irritate the skin, so make sure to talk with your dermatologist if you notice worsening symptoms while using these products. You may need to switch to another option.
6. Try UVB light therapy
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. The most common type of phototherapy is narrowband UVB, which is administered in a doctor’s office. With narrowband UVB, about 70% of people with psoriasis see their skin get 75% better. Some people also notice their skin stays clear (is in remission) for months or years after stopping light therapy.
Some people are also able to use phototherapy devices at home. This can make it easier to keep up with treatment. Keep in mind that tanning beds aren’t a substitute for UV light therapy. Tanning beds emit mostly UVA light, which doesn’t help treat psoriasis and can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
7. Use steroids as directed
Steroid creams and ointments work really well for psoriasis plaques. But it’s important to follow your dermatologist’s instructions when using steroids. Steroids can cause permanent skin changes like discoloration, stretch marks, and skin thinning. You’re more likely to develop these skin changes if you use stronger steroids or if you use steroids too often.
Talk with your dermatologist if you’re using steroids as directed and still have symptoms. Your dermatologist may recommend switching between steroids and nonsteroidal alternatives so that you’re not using steroids continually.
When should you consider other treatments for psoriasis?
If your psoriasis symptoms are still a problem despite a good skin care routine, it might be time for additional treatments. There are new and effective prescription options that can help you manage psoriasis, such as:
Calcineurin inhibitors (Tacrolimus, Pimecrolimus)
Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors (Roflumilast)
Retinoids (tazarotene)
Vitamin D analogs (calcipotriene, calcitriol)
Biologics and other systematic therapies may also help if you have severe plaque psoriasis. Talk with your dermatologist about whether these prescription options are right for you.
Frequently asked questions
The right moisturizer is an important part of psoriasis skin care. But, because lotions are thinner, they’re not usually enough to relieve psoriasis symptoms. Choose a thick emollient cream or ointment that’s free of dyes and fragrance.
Psoriasis is a lifelong condition that doesn’t have a cure. Psoriasis flares can come and go. Flares can take a few weeks to heal but may clear up faster with treatment. Treatment can help you avoid future flares.
A psoriasis flare can last several days to several weeks depending on whether you receive treatment. Flares that affect a large area of skin will take longer to go away than flares that affect only a small amount of skin.
The bottom line
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red, scaly plaques on the skin. Good skin care is the foundation of a psoriasis treatment plan. Keep your skin well moisturized, free from irritation, and avoid long, hot showers. Prescription and OTC medicated creams can also help ease symptoms.
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References
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). 8 ways to stop baths and showers from worsening your psoriasis.
Coondoo, A., et al. (2014). Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit. Indian Dermatology Online Journal.
Elmets, C. A., et al. (2019). Joint American Academy of Dermatology — National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Elmets, C. A., et al. (2021). Joint AAD — NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Health Research Association. (2014). Predicting remission of psoriasis after phototherapy. National Health Service.
National Psoriasis Foundation. (2025). About psoriasis.
National Psoriasis Foundation. (2025). Phototherapy for psoriasis.
Sanchez, D. P., et al. (2022). Koebner phenomenon. StatPearls.
van de Kerkhof, P. C. (2001). Therapeutic strategies: Rotational therapy and combinations. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.
Zeichner, J. A., et al. (2010). Use of topical coal tar foam for the treatment of psoriasis in difficult-to-treat areas. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
