She Strengthens

Soothe Your Skin: Top 12 Psoriasis Lotions for Relief

Living with psoriasis can be challenging, but finding the right lotion can make all the difference. From coal tar to ceramides, we’ve rounded up the best options to relieve dryness, itchiness, and scaliness.

Understanding Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes rapid cell overproduction, leading to thick, scaly patches on the skin. It can affect any area of the body, including the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet, nails, and skin folds.

Choosing the Right Lotion

To find the best lotion for psoriasis, we looked at effective ingredients, customer reviews, and expert-approved options. Here are our top picks:

1. Best Overall: CeraVe Psoriasis Skin Therapy Moisturizing Cream

This fragrance-free formula is developed with dermatologists and contains ceramides, niacinamide, urea, and 2% salicylic acid to moisturize and restore the skin barrier.

2. Best Coal Tar Formula: MG217 Non-Drying Multi-Symptom Coal Tar Gel

This coal tar formula slows down excessive cell reproduction, reducing itching, scales, and plaque buildup. It also contains vitamin B5, aloe, and bisabolol to moisturize skin.

3. Best Calamine Lotion: Caladryl Clear Lotion

This traditional calamine lotion may work just as well as newer options in soothing psoriasis symptoms. It contains zinc oxide and ferric oxide to alleviate itching and dry up scales and rashes.

4. Best Scalp Lotion: Medovie 3HX All-Natural Scalp Lotion for Psoriasis-Prone Scalp

This clinically tested formula is specifically designed for scalp psoriasis, reducing dryness, redness, and flakiness while repairing the skin’s natural barrier.

5. Best Salicylic Acid Cream: MG217 Sal-Acid Multi-Symptom Moisturizing Cream

This max strength salicylic acid formula provides optimal hydration properties, relieving itchiness, scales, and redness. It also contains shea butter, aloe, avocado oil, and bisabolol to keep skin hydrated and protected.

6. Best Plant-Based: Bodewell Super Cream

This luxurious, plant-based formula contains 24 plant extracts, vitamins E and B3, and is designed to treat dryness, swelling, and redness for those with psoriasis, eczema, and sensitive skin.

7. Best for Removing Plaques: TriDermaMD Psoriasis Control Cream

This fragrance-free formula contains salicylic acid, aloe, shea butter, oats, and vitamins to exfoliate skin and remove scales while locking in moisture.

8. Best for Hands: Codex Beauty Bia Hydrating Skin Superfood

This hydrating formula contains botanicals like calendula, immortelle, heartsease, marsh-mallow extract, and comfrey to soothe and lock in moisture, making it perfect for dry, cracked hands.

9. Best Cortisone Cream: Cortizone 10 Anti-Itch Lotion or Psoriasis

This max strength hydrocortisone formula is specially formulated for psoriasis, combating pain and discomfort while providing relief from itching.

10. Best for Face and Body: Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Treatment Gel

This medicated treatment gel contains 3% salicylic acid and zinc complex, helping to combat symptoms and provide relief for face, palms, scalp, knees, elbows, and feet.

11. Best Itch Relief: Gold Bond Multi-Symptom Psoriasis Relief Cream

This cream provides intensive moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, aloe, and vitamin D to lock in moisture and quickly relieve itching.

12. Best with Ceramide: Curél Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer

This ceramide-rich cream is designed to be used on damp skin, providing an environment for optimal absorption and boosting ceramide levels to support skin barrier function.

Creating the Best Psoriasis Lotion Routine

To get the most out of your lotion, follow these tips:

• Don’t overcleanse; cleansing once a day may be enough
• Moisturize morning and night
• Skip toners, which can irritate and dry out psoriasis-prone skin
• Avoid scrubbing skin with a flare-up; instead, use a soft cloth
• Lay it on thicker in harsher conditions, like cold, dry winter
• Bathe smart; avoid hot water and lightly pat skin dry

What if Your Lotion Isn’t Working?

If your over-the-counter lotion isn’t providing relief, consult a dermatologist for a complete diagnosis and assessment. They may prescribe topical creams, phototherapy, biologics, or oral medications to treat severe psoriasis symptoms.