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What are the best products for psoriasis? Experts weigh in
The right products should soothe, treat and protect the skin without stripping it of hydration.
How we picked the best products for psoriasis
When shopping, our experts recommend looking at several factors, including the key ingredients in the formula and the type of product. Below, we highlight their suggestions about what to consider.
- Ingredients: Because psoriasis symptoms, like itchiness and skin irritation, can be potentially exacerbated by some ingredients, it’s important to find products that are psoriasis-friendly, says Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. Steer clear of fragrance, “an ingredient that can potentially act as a sensitizing agent, causing red, dry, itchy contact dermatitis and potentially worsening psoriasis symptoms,” says Camp. “Dyes also act as sensitizing agents and should be avoided on skin affected by psoriasis.”
- Type of product: Psoriasis can show up on the face, scalp and body, and it’s important to select a product based on where your flare up is located. Different creams, moisturizers and ointments can help with psoriasis on the face and body, while some shampoos, particularly those medicated with salicylic acid can be helpful for psoriasis on the body in addition to the scalp.
The best products for psoriasis in 2024
We spoke to dermatologists about their favorite face and body products for psoriasis and compiled their recommendations below. We also included a few products that are in line with expert guidance.
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
Li recommends this multiuse formula as a preventative face and body cream for those with psoriasis-prone skin. It has cetearyl alcohol, which Li says isn’t a bad alcohol, but rather a fatty acid, and petrolatum, an emollient and barrier protector; these two ingredients can be great for already healed skin that’s prone to flare ups, according to Li. This formula is also made without harsh ingredients like fragrance, dyes or comedogenic oils, and you can use it on the face and body, according to Vanicream.
Key ingredients: Petrolatum, cetearyl alcohol | Formula Type: Body and face cream | Fragrance-free: Yes
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
While Neutrogena markets this as a shampoo, Li recommends it for those who have psoriasis on hard-to-reach areas like the back and buttocks. “When used in the shower, the salicylic acid can cling onto the psoriatic skin and reduce the flakiness and thickness of the scale,” he says. Of course, you can also use it as directed (as a shampoo) if you have scalp psoriasis. In this case, Li recommends letting it sit on the affected area for three to five minutes before rinsing off.
When using on the body, Li says to use this shampoo as you would a body wash, leaving it on for no more than one minute. This is because the skin on the body has less sebum than the scalp, so it can be prone to over drying, says Li.
Key ingredients: 3% salicylic acid | Formula Type: Shampoo | Fragrance-free: Yes
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+M | Moisturizer
Camp recommends this if you’re looking for a thick, rich moisturizer. “It’s made with shea butter, ceramides and prebiotic thermal water, and is clinically shown to reduce dry, rough skin,” he says. Aside from being able to use this formula on the face and body, I like the use of a pump applicator on the packaging, as it makes for easy dispensing of product.
Key ingredients: Thermal water, shea butter, glycerin | Formula Type: Body and face cream | Fragrance-free: Yes
Purorganica Urea 40% Cream
The Purorganica Urea 40% Cream is a great choice for targeting thick psoriasis plaques on the hands or feet, two areas that already have a much thicker epidermis than other parts of the body, says Li. The formula is free of harsh alcohols and instead has helpful ingredients like cetyl alcohol and dimethicone, which can help to protect the skin barrier, says Li. Because of this cream’s moderately thick consistency, it’s great for softening up areas like the heels, knuckles, knees and elbows.
Key ingredients: Urea, tea tree oil, aloe vera, chamomile, cetyl alcohol, dimethicone | Formula Type: Body cream | Fragrance-free: Yes
Cerave SA Smoothing Cream Moisturizer
This Li-recommended moisturizer keeps the skin highly moisturized thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, says Cerave. It also has two ingredients — salicylic and lactic acids — that help break down excess scaling. These exfoliating acids also help slough away dead skin cells for smoother skin, according to the brand. As for usage, you can apply it several times throughout the day over intact skin that’s affected by psoriasis, says Li.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, urea, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Formula Type: Body cream | Fragrance-free: Yes
Cortizone 10 Anti-Itch Ointment
This thick, ointment-based formula has 1% hydrocortisone, an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce any uncomfortable itchiness associated with psoriasis, says Camp. While you can use the over-the-counter formula on the face and body (just be sure not to get it in your eyes), you should refrain from using it as a daily moisturizer because of potential side effects like acne, skin thinning and discoloration, according to Camp.
Key ingredients: 1% hydrocortisone | Formula Type: Body and face ointment | Fragrance-free: Yes
How to shop for the best products for psoriasis
When shopping, our experts recommend looking at several factors, including the key ingredients in the formula and its main function. Below, we highlight their suggestions of things to consider.
Look at the ingredients
In terms of key ingredients to seek out, Skotnicki says that aloe vera can be helpful, as it features mild anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve the skin barrier. Ceramides, a type of lipid compound that can help protect the epidermal barrier, are also beneficial. “Using ceramides on areas that are prone to psoriasis can keep the skin moist and protected from outside allergens or irritants, which can reduce the likelihood of a flare up,” says Li. Ceramides can also be helpful for plaques, or the thick patches of inflamed skin associated with psoriasis, as they can “help to soften the plaques and reduce the itching,” says Li.
Overall, look for ingredients that help moisturize and repair the skin barrier, like glycerin, niacinamide, squalene and hyaluronic acid. Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), is another ingredient you’ll typically find in medicated shampoos to provide a gentle exfoliation and reduce flakes, scales and shedding associated with psoriasis.
Consider its main function
There are three main types of formulas to look for if you have psoriasis: formulas that treat, soothe and protect. “A treatment product should improve the appearance of psoriasis,” says Li. “Products containing ingredients like salicylic acid and urea can be viewed as treatment products, as they gently remove the thick scale and allow topical treatments to penetrate the skin better.”
Soothing products are meant to improve uncomfortable psoriasis symptoms like itchiness and redness. In this case, Li recommends products with a thicker texture versus ones that are thin and lightweight. “Products containing colloidal oatmeal can help to reduce underlying itch while ceramides can also be helpful in increasing moisture content in the skin,” says Li.
As for protective products, the idea is to protect the underlying skin from being exposed to irritants and allergens, which those with open or inflamed skin can more easily react to, says Li. “Ceramides and glycerin are ingredients that can help protect the skin barrier, as can petrolatum, which has a thicker, ointment-like consistency.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- David Li is a board-certified dermatologist and operator of Boston Derm Advocate, a digital platform dedicated to the exploration of evidence-based skin care.
- Brendan Camp is a board-certified dermatologist and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
- Sandy Skotnicki is a board-certified dermatologist based in Canada.
Why trust NBC Select?
Michelle Rostamian has more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. For this story, Rostamian spoke to board-certified dermatologists and included their direct recommendations and products based on their guidance.
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