If you have psoriasis, winter’s cold weather can mean more than an ongoing need for sweaters — it’s peak season for dry, itchy, scaly skin.
Psoriasis can be painful, hard to look at and difficult to deal with. Many sufferers end up working with their doctor to find steroids and other treatments to help with flares. Others try endless combinations of over-the-counter products to alleviate symptoms. More still try a combination of both.
We wanted to hear directly from people with psoriasis about the over-the-counter beauty products that have helped manage their psoriasis flares. We went to Twitter, Facebook, Reddit and our own personal contact lists to get the details straight from those in the know. Whether it was a concealer that didn’t cause flares, a moisturizer that helped soften skin or a cleanser that kept skin from getting dry, we got their secrets.
Here are the products they use to keep their skin healthy, soothed and as flare-free as possible.
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Bare Minerals BarePro
Image Credit: Sephora Reddit user grapeg0ddess said, “I have yet to find a concealer BUT I found a full coverage foundation that doesn’t irritate my psoriasis, which is Bare Minerals BarePro liquid foundation. It’s moisturizing without being oily, and it’s sensitive skin friendly.”
BareMinerals BarePRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation, $34 at Sephora
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Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil
Image Credit: Target Reddit user dee62383 said, “I use oil cleansing, as it removes stubborn makeup without scrubbing — as long as you use it correctly. I use Neutrogena’s oil cleanser, but I like all the ones I’ve tried so far.”
Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil, $8 at Target
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Ivory Body Wash
Image Credit: Target Will, who reached out to us on Reddit, said, “I love Ivory body wash. It has little to no fragrance and soothes my itching a bit.”
Ivory Original Body Wash, $3 at Target
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Moondeli Golden Turmeric
Image Credit: Moondeli On Facebook, Catherine shared an internal beauty product that’s been helping her scalp psoriasis. “I recently started drinking turmeric lattes (mostly) daily, and I like this powder because it already contains the black pepper our bods need to actually absorb turmeric — plus some extra good stuff like ginger and pink salt. It’s an acquired taste, but it grows on you and seems to reduce psoriasis symptoms so far. My case is on my scalp, so I prefer this to using topical treatments and shampoos that tend to be harsh.”
Moondeli Golden Turmeric, $30 at Moondeli
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Neutrogena T/Gel Theraputic Shampoo
Image Credit: Target Another product that came up several times? Coal tar shampoo, which helps to calm skin irritation. One Reddit user used it in an unconventional way: “I use coal tar shampoo on my feet when they flare up.”
Neutrogena T/Gel Extra Strength, $8 at Target
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The Ordinary Marula Oil
Image Credit: Beautylish Sophie Coulthard shared a natural solution with us on Twitter: “I’ve just started using The Ordinary Marula Oil on my scalp, which always flares up this time of year — it’s really soothing, and I put it on the night before I wash my hair. Really helping and cheaper than most psoriasis products!”
The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil, $10 at Beautylish
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Dessert Essence Coconut Body Wash
Image Credit: Desert Essence Reddit user almper recommends coconut-based body soaps, like Dessert Essence body wash and Dessert Essence shampoo. “My [psoriasis] stopped flaring and getting red once I stopped using chemical-based soaps on the body.”
Desert Essence Coconut Body Wash, $9 at Desert Essence
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La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
Image Credit: Amazon Barbara from Moscow, Russia, shared a moisturizer she loved: “I used La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 for many years when I took breaks from medical ointments. Softens, removes itching and redness.”
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Multi-Purpose Balm, $15 at Amazon
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Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Image Credit: Sephora Reddit user Moreadventursaurus has a moisturizing routine that involves several products. “I use Maskcara Beauty’s milk lotion on my plaque psoriasis at night, and then I use Clinique’s gel moisture surge during the day. I don’t think either of these reduce flares, but they help keep my skin hydrated. I also exfoliate (with my fingers or a cloth) in the shower in the morning.”
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, $27 at Sephora
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