Copied to Clipboard
5 Natural Remedies For Psoriasis, Plus Pro Skincare Tips
05/15/20228 min read
About 8 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis. While not for everyone, many have experienced incredible benefits from natural remedies for psoriasis.
Going the natural route can get overwhelming, especially when dealing with skin conditions. For example, some herbs may be suitable for the average person. But, if you have psoriasis, the same herbs might aggravate your condition and cause more harm than good.
Thankfully, at Bodewell, we know all about skin conditions and how to deal with them. This means you don’t have to figure out the best remedies on your own.
In this article, we share our most effective tips for treating psoriasis at home and some preventative measures you can take to avoid or lessen those annoying flare-ups.
But first, let’s get a clear understanding of this skin problem.
Table Of Contents
- What Is Psoriasis?
- What Causes Psoriasis?
- At-Home Natural Remedies For Psoriasis
- Skincare Tips For Clearer-Looking Skin
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition that can cause itchy, red, and scaly patches on the skin. It can occur on any part of the body. The most common areas are the elbows, scalp, and knees, but it can also appear on the eyelids, hands, lips, feet, or skin folds.
It’s a long-term, chronic condition that currently has no cure. In addition, people who experience psoriasis might go through cycles — they might have periods when it flares up often (for weeks or even months) and then periods when it subsides for a while.
What Causes Psoriasis?
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, while it is still unclear what the real cause of psoriasis is, they recognize that a person’s immune system and family history play a role.
Many people might be predisposed to the disease and not even be aware of it, only to discover that they have psoriasis when some environmental factor triggers it.
Some of the most common triggers are:
- Stress
- Cold and dry weather conditions
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Certain medications, such as high blood pressure medications, lithium, and antimalarial drugs
- Smoking
- Skin infections
- Injuries to the skin (e.g., a bug bite, cut, or scrape)
Having psoriasis doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your skin. Instead, there are multiple at-home treatments you can try for clearer-looking, more comfortable skin. Let’s take a look.
5 At-Home Natural Remedies For Psoriasis
1) Apple Cider Vinegar For Your Scalp
Apple cider vinegar has grown in popularity for its internal health benefits. But this special ingredient can also help ease some of that burning and itching you might get from scalp psoriasis.
It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that work wonders for different skin conditions, including psoriasis. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water or place a few undiluted drops directly onto your scalp several times a week for instant relief.
Let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse off thoroughly. Just remember not to apply it directly to broken or cracked skin.
2) Tumeric To Fight Inflammation
People use lots of natural herbs to treat their skin, and turmeric is one of the most popular ones. This yellow herb is particularly helpful in lessening psoriasis flare-ups because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
You can decide if you want to take it as a supplement (consult your doctor first) or simply sprinkle some of it into your food and consume it in its most natural state.
3) Fish Oils To Boost Immunity And Fight Inflammation
Fish is an excellent source of Vitamin D, may boost brain health, and is high in multiple essential nutrients.
In addition to all of the incredible benefits for your immune system, fish oils can also help fight inflammation, a common culprit of psoriasis.
You can include different types of fish as often as possible in your diet, or if you’d like to take a supplement, be sure to consult with your doctor first to find out which is the best one for your needs.
4) Dead Sea Or Epsom Salt In Your Bath
If you love taking baths, then you might appreciate the fact that you can use this relaxation time to also work on soothing your psoriasis. Simply add some Dead Sea or Epsom salts to your warm bath water and soak in it for about 15 minutes.
Natural remedies for psoriasis don’t have to be complicated. This simple option can help soothe the itching and provide instant (though temporary) relief. Just be sure not to let your water get too hot, as this can irritate your skin even more.
5) Oats In Your Bath
If you’re not crazy about the idea of soaking in salt, then opt for an oatmeal bath instead. Like the previous point, taking an oatmeal bath can help soothe the itching and irritation from psoriasis.
Remember not to soak too long (15 minutes is good), as this can strip your skin of its natural oils and worsen your psoriasis. After your soak, immediately apply moisturizer to help lock in hydration.
For that step, we recommend our Psoriasis Calming Cream. It helps calm itching, irritation, redness, flaking, and scaling and can help improve the appearance of your skin over time. It also contains salicylic acid, a star ingredient for treating psoriasis.
If creams are not your thing, then you can opt for our Psoriasis Soothing Spray. It has all the incredible benefits of the cream, plus it’s lightweight and oil-free.
In addition to the above natural remedies for psoriasis, here are a few pro tips to help you better manage your condition.
Skincare Tips For Clearer-Looking Skin
Spend Time In The Sun
When you suffer from psoriasis, the UVB rays of natural sunlight that can help slow down the growth of affected skin cells. This means spending time in the sun is one of the most natural remedies for psoriasis.
However, limit your exposure to direct sunlight, and always wear sunscreen and protective clothing. And if you’re out in the sun for an extended period of time, be sure to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours.
The last thing you want to deal with is psoriasis and sunburn.
Change Your Diet
Choosing a healthy diet can be an effective way of managing your psoriasis from day to day. But what does "healthy" mean?
Specifically, we're talking about:
- Avoiding sugar
- Eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties (e.g., fish and certain fruits and veggies)
- Cutting out red meat and saturated fats
Drinking plenty of water each day is important for everyone (whether or not you have a skin condition). But it can specifically help with psoriasis because it keeps your skin moisturized and lessens sudden flare-ups.
Try Yoga And Meditation
We highlighted above that stress can trigger psoriasis. But we're human and understand that life comes with its ups and downs. Most of us face challenges throughout our day, which can lead to feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Meditation is a great way to relax. It helps you focus on the present and let go (even for a moment) of all the troubles on your mind.
Yoga can also be excellent, especially if you have psoriatic arthritis. The different movements can help you expand your range of motion while easing joint pain.
Alternatively, you can also look into:
- Tai Chi
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Acupressure
If the idea of using massage to treat your psoriasis excites you, remember to consult with your massage therapist and doctor first to find out about the specific oils they'll be using. You don’t want to feel relaxed for an hour only to realize your skin is now covered in irritating chemicals.
Avoid Triggers
If your goal is to lessen psoriasis flare-ups, it’s important to avoid specific triggers whenever possible.
As highlighted earlier on, common triggers include:
- Smoking
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Illnesses and infections
- Skin injuries
- Certain medications
Take Back Your Skin
Psoriasis can be frustrating. No one wants red patches, itching, burning, or scaling spots on their skin. Thankfully, there are natural remedies for psoriasis to help soothe your skin and get you the relief you desperately need.
If you’re interested in trying natural remedies, add apple cider vinegar, turmeric, fish oil, bath salts, and oats into your routine. These aid in cooling down the symptoms of psoriasis.
In addition to these treatments, remember to take care of yourself from the inside out by drinking lots of water, eating healthy, getting some Vitamin D from the sun, and trying yoga or meditation to reduce stress levels.
To soothe irritated skin, we also recommend our Psoriasis Calming Cream and Psoriasis Scalp Relief Treatment for whenever your scalp is itchy, flaky, or irritated. Both of these products contain salicylic acid, a powerful, skin-calming ingredient
While there is no cure for psoriasis, by implementing the above tips, you can give your skin the moisture, healing, and calmness it deserves. Hello, good skin days!
