What Skin Care to Avoid with Psoriasis?

Living with psoriasis means dealing with painful, raised patches of thickened skin. But did you know that some skincare products can actually make things worse?

Choosing the right products is key to avoiding flare-ups and keeping your skin healthy. Here are some top tips to help you pick the best skincare products for managing psoriasis.

Ingredients to Avoid

When selecting skincare products for psoriasis, it’s essential to be mindful of certain ingredients that can trigger irritation and worsen symptoms. Knowing what to avoid can make a significant difference in managing your condition. Here are some common culprits to watch out for:

1. Fragrances: Fragrances are added to products to make them smell good, but for some people, they can cause skin irritation. Avoid products with fragrances to prevent worsening psoriasis symptoms.
2. Essential Oils: Essential oils are often used in skincare products, but they can be harsh and irritating for people with psoriasis. The effect is even worse with naked application of essential oils.
3. Dyes: Dyes can also cause skin irritation and should be avoided in skin care products.
4. Alcohol: Alcohols are commonly used in skincare products to make them feel lighter or as a preservative. This problem of alcohols in psoriasis creams is also common in eczema creams that contain ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and methanol. However, they can dry out the skin and worsen psoriasis symptoms. Look for products that do not contain alcohols.
5. Sulfates: Sulfates are ingredients often used in shampoos, toothpaste, and soaps to help the product foam up. However, some types of sulfates can cause skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin and conditions like psoriasis. Avoid products containing SLS ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate.

Safe Skincare Options

Opting for gentle, hydrating skin care for psoriasis can help manage symptoms and keep your skin healthy. Here are some safe skincare options to consider:

• Thick and Oily Emollients: Products like petroleum jelly and shea butter are good for skin with psoriasis. They help trap moisture and keep the skin hydrated, which is important for managing psoriasis symptoms.
• Unscented Lotions with Ceramides: Unscented lotions that include ceramides are better for people with psoriasis. Ceramides are the same type of lipids that we have in the outer layer of our skin, and they help maintain the skin’s natural barrier function.
• Products with the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Seal of Recognition: The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has a seal of recognition for products that are safe for people with psoriasis. Look for this seal when choosing skincare products.

3 Recommended Skin Care Products for Psoriasis

Finding the right skin care products for psoriasis can make a significant difference in managing the symptoms. Look for products that offer deep hydration and gentle care to soothe and protect your skin. Here are three recommended skincare products specifically designed to help with psoriasis:

1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic cream that repairs the skin’s natural barrier and provides long-lasting hydration. Suitable for sensitive skin and psoriasis sufferers.
2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: Lightweight, oil-free gel that offers long-lasting hydration and locks in moisture. Suitable for normal to oily skin and gentle enough for sensitive skin and psoriasis sufferers.
3. Eucerin Advanced Repair Moisturizing Cream: Rich, non-greasy cream that repairs and moisturizes dry, damaged skin, providing long-lasting hydration and relief from dryness and irritation. Suitable for psoriasis sufferers and those with dry skin.

Testing Skincare Products

Before using a new skincare product, it is important to test it on a small area of your skin to ensure it does not cause irritation. Follow these steps:

1. Apply a small amount of the product to the inside of your elbow.
2. Apply it in the same spot once or twice a day for 3 to 4 days.
3. Watch for any redness, itching, pain, or burning. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to avoid the product.

Psoriasis Treatment Is More Than Skin Deep!

Treatment of psoriasis always has to go deeper than applications of creams and good choice of skin care products. Psoriasis is treated with light therapy, coal tar and even biologics.

While some people suffering from psoriasis get good results with Ayurvedic or Chiinese Medicine for Psoriasis, one thing that is often glossed over is heavy metal toxicity.

Check out this video below on how mercury toxicity is a root cause of chronic psoriasis.

Conclusion

Choosing the right skincare products is crucial for managing psoriasis symptoms. By avoiding products with fragrances, essential oils, dyes, alcohols, and sulfates, and opting for thick and oily emollients, unscented lotions with ceramides, and products with the NPF’s Seal of Recognition, you can keep your skin healthy and minimize psoriasis flare-ups. Always test new products on a small area of your skin before using them widely.