Psoriasis Skin Care

by Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DABFM

There are numerous skin creams and lotions that are available over the counter for the treatment of psoriasis. But how do you know which one will work best for you? First and foremost, you should always check with your dermatologist or natural health care provider before trying any over-the-counter product for psoriasis. Your physician can advise you about the severity of your condition and the likelihood that a certain product or preparation will work.

Basically, when you are choosing a product, you should look for one that will provide the most comprehensive amount of moisture to your skin. Skin that is moisturized is less prone to cracking and other trauma. Ointments, creams, and lotions can be used to seal in the skin’s natural moisture, especially after washing your hands. Treating psoriasis requires the use of a bath product that contains emollients and water-binding agents. The addition of other ingredients such as sunscreen, anti-irritants, and antioxidants may also be useful in treating your condition.

• Organic Emollients are ingredients that are used to lubricate the skin and enhance the skin’s natural ability to lubricate itself. Popular emollient ingredients that are helpful for those with psoriasis include organic plant oils, shea butter, and animal oils such as emu, mink, and lanolin.
• Organic Anti-irritant ingredients are often added to products that are created for the treatment of psoriasis. Vitamins and herbs such as allantoin, burdock root, aloe, licorice root, grape extract, green tea, vitamin C, lavender extract, chamomile extract, and willow bark can be used to soothe irritated skin and alleviate the pain and itching of psoriasis.
• Antioxidants, such as selenium, superoxide dismutase, vitamin A (retinyl palmitate and retinol), vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl palmitate), beta glucan, vitamin E (a-tocopherol, tocotrienol), curcumin, coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, green tea, and grape extract, help to slow down the rapid regeneration of skin cells that is associated with psoriasis.

Psoriasis Preparations

Specialized psoriasis preparations can also be used for psoriasis skin care. Natural soaps, oils, creams, ointments and even shampoos may contain ingredients that help to clear up psoriasis and reduce the incidence of flare-ups. These ingredients include:

• Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a popular ingredient that is often used to soother irritated skin. A skin care study performed in Sweden found that a topical skin care cream that contained 0.5% aloe vera dramatically improved the symptoms of psoriasis in over eighty percent of the patients surveyed.
• Oatmeal: This common ingredient can be used to lightly exfoliate the skin, reduce itching, and soothe skin that is irritated by psoriasis.
• Sea Salts: Sea salts are mineral exfoliates that help to loosen and remove scales from psoriasis and improve the overall condition of the skin.

Psoriasis Skin Care in the Winter

Winter can be very harsh to the skin, even for those with normal and unproblematic skin. But for those with psoriasis, the winter weather can bring a new set of challenges and psoriatic outbreaks. Environmental conditions are unforgiving in the winter, bringing cold, windy weather and dry, indoor heat. These conditions rob the skin of moisturize and aggravate or cause psoriatic flare ups. In addition, the immune system is often compromised in the winter due to an increased frequency in colds, influenza, and emotional stress during the holidays. Special care should be taken in the winter months to monitor the skin for psoriatic flare-ups.

Psoriasis Skin Care and Shaving

It may be difficult to imagine shaving skin that is affected by psoriasis. However, it is important to one’s overall sense of esteem and confidence to be well groomed. Shaving options for those with psoriasis are the same as for those with normal skin, however more care should be taken to avoid irritation, cuts, and other kinds of trauma to the skin. Electric razors may be gentler to the skin than traditional straight razors.

Waxing and tweezing are also possible, however they are very irritating to the skin and they may cause or irritate a psoriatic outbreak. Products that contain depilatory ingredients to remove hair can be harsh to the skin and problematic for people with psoriasis. The most important things to remember when shaving are to take special care to avoid cutting yourself and be sure to use a gentle natural moisturizer such as “Parfait Visage” to reduce irritation and replace moisture to the skin.