Finding a good cream for psoriasis can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Whether you’re suffering from painful scaliness or inflammation and sensitivity, the skin irritation that’s part and parcel of a psoriasis flare-up can be a real challenge.
Thankfully, the skincare industry has come on leaps and bounds since the days of porridge baths; though, TikTokers still hail this an effective remedy. Oat soaks aside, pharmaceutical brands such as La Roche-Posay and Bioderma now offer those with psoriasis a simpler and more easily accessible approach to targeted skincare – from body lotions to soothing face treatments.
Naturally, with psoriasis being an immune-related skin condition (versus an environmental one like sunburn or contact dermatitis) we wanted to bring your topical recommendations from the top down. As such, we got granular about all things psoriasis with a dermatologist of more than 15 years, talking ingredients, causes and more. Here’s what they had to say.
Meet the expert
Dr Cherry Armstrong is a GP dermatologist and medical director of her own Harley Street skin clinic, No. 23 Skin. She qualified from London’s Royal Free Hospital before training in surgery, general practice and dermatology – the latter of which she now teaches at GP and nurses forums. She has now worked in the dermatology field for more than 15 years.
What is psoriasis and how to treat it?
“Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease,” explains Dr Armstrong. “It’s caused by rapid turnover of skin cells due to an overactive immune response,” which leads to “thickened, scaly patches on the skin’s surface”.
In terms of treatments, Dr Armstrong said creams, moisturisers and emollients “protect and maintain the barrier function of the skin surface and trap moisture in – this is an important and crucial part of the treatment of psoriasis”.
As for the formulas she recommends, she broke down the offerings by their key ingredients she says to look out for, including hyaluronic acid, shea butter and urea. Keep scrolling for her full list of dermatologist-approved creams.
Aveeno cream moisturising lotion
“When you have active psoriasis, emollients, which are thick and hydrating, such as creams and ointments, are so much better than lotions,” Dr Armstrong explains. Describing the appeal of Aveeno’s colloidal oatmeal formula, she praises the inclusion of glycerin as it “draws moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated”.
Other key ingredients included within the formula are allantoin – a soothing, humectant moisturiser – and distearyldimonium chloride, which acts to condition and smooth.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
CeraVe moisturising cream for dry to very dry skin
Describing how fragrances and perfumes “can irritate sensitive skin”, Dr Armstrong recommends CeraVe’s unscented moisturising cream. She likes it for its inclusion of hyaluronic acid which, “retains water in the skin, preventing dryness”.
Not only is the cream affordable for its generous 454g size, but it features three essential ceramides to nourish, plus the brand’s unique multivesicular emulsion which ensures a gradual, dosed release of moisture for all-day hydration.
Buy now £17.00, Boots.com
Udrate urea 10% lactic acid 5% cream
A more pharmaceutical suggestion, Dr Armstrong cites urea – when included in low concentrations – as a good ingredient for psoriasis sufferers given how it “hydrates and softens thickened skin”. The formula also contains lactic acid – which Dr Armstrong notes “gently exfoliates and hydrates skin” – as well as glycerin and anti-inflammatory shea butter.
Buy now £17.99, Expresschemist.co.uk
Eucerin advanced repair cream
In a hefty 454g pot, with everything from urea and glycerin to shea butter included, Eucerin’s advanced repair cream comes recommended thanks to its ceramide-enriched formula.
According to Dr Armstrong, ceramides work to “help restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture”. She adds that it’s “important to look for ingredients that soothe inflammation, reduce scaling, and repair the skin barrier”, which this cream promises to do.
Buy now £17.82, Amazon.co.uk
La Roche-Posay cicaplast baume B5+
Another recommendation from Dr Armstrong thanks to the inclusion of ceramides, this time for use on the face, La Roche-Posay’s cicaplast baume is not only a fan favourite with skincare buffs but uses vitamin B5 to heal, soothe inflammation, work against the signs of ageing and maintain a healthy skin barrier. Not to mention it’s a multipurpose balm and can be used on chapped lips, too.
Buy now £8.50, Sephora.co.uk
Bioderma hydrabio moisturising cream
The key ingredient in Bioderma’s hydrabio moisturiser, specifically for those with psoriasis, is salicylic acid. Dr Armstrong tells us that, as a treatment, salicylic acid is “a keratolytic agent [keratin softening] that removes scales and reduces plaque thickness”. The cream also features glycerin, oil-balancing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, making it a real all-rounder.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon.co.uk
Kiehls ultra facial cream
A slightly more premium option, and one that includes the same colloidal oatmeal as the Aveeno cream above, Dr Armstrong recommends Kiehl’s ultra facial cream because the oatmeal provides “soothing relief from itchiness and irritation”. The formula also contains antioxidant squalane, skin texture-remedying avocado oil and salicylic acid.
Buy now £37.00, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Neutrogena hydro boost water gel face moisturiser with hyaluronic acid for dry skin
According to Dr Armstrong, this affordable Neutrogena moisturiser is an effective facial moisturiser for those with psoriasis owing to its inclusion of aloe vera, which she says “reduces irritation and helps with skin healing”. It’s not just packed with aloe vera, but you’ll also reap the benefits of the included glycerin.
Buy now £9.05, Amazon.co.uk
L’Occitane shea ultra rich body cream
A cult moisturising classic even outside the realms of psoriasis, L’Occitane’s shea ultra rich body cream is ‘skindulgence’ in a tin and Dr Armstrong says it’s a great pick for those with skin concerns. It’s rich in shea butter, which “hydrates and soothes dry, irritated skin”. Granted, it’s a touch more expensive, but a little goes a long way with this cream.
Buy now £39.00, Sephora.co.uk
Palmer’s nourishing cocoa butter formula for rough, dry skin
The affordable alternative to L’Occitane’s shea cream, Palmer’s cocoa butter balm is equally as nourishing; though, you might be surprised to discover it’s not its cocoa butter inclusion that piques Dr Armstrong’s interest. While the cocoa butter certainly aids inflammation and improves symptoms of psoriasis, it’s actually the inclusion of vitamin E that makes this formula stand out from the crowd because, according to Dr Armstrong, it “protects skin from oxidative stress and helps with healing.”
Buy now £7.99, Amazon.co.uk
Clinique moisture surge 72 hour auto-replenishing hydrator
Clinique’s moisture surge hydrator landed a spot in our guide to the best moisturisers for oily skin and, with green tea extract featured on its impressive roster of ingredients, it makes for a great psoriasis-friendly facial cream, too. Dr Armstrong describes how the inclusion of green tea extract “reduces inflammation and protects the skin”, which works alongside glycerin, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to smooth and soothe psoriasis-prone areas.
Buy now £42.00, Marksandspencer.com
Psoriasis FAQs
How does psoriasis present itself?
Psoriasis is “characterised by the development of erythematous, indurated, scaly, sometimes pruritic, and often painful skin lesions,” explains Dr Armstrong. But, what does this mean? Well, essentially it translates to red, thickened, scaly, sometimes itchy, and often painful skin lesions. “These lesions, known as plaques, commonly appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but can affect any part of the body.”
What causes psoriasis?
While “the exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood”, psoriasis is a product of rapid cell turnover. It can be a “combination of genetic and environmental factors, with the latter elements including (but not limited to) ‘infections, stress, skin injuries, and certain medications’”, notes Dr Armstrong.
Do steroid creams help psoriasis?
In short – yes. “They work by reducing the inflammatory response caused by the overactive immune system. Therefore, they reduce redness, swelling and discomfort of itching and irritation,” she notes, before adding that steroid creams work to reduce cell turnover and minimise scaling.
What does coal tar do for psoriasis?
It “reduces scaling, itching and inflammation,” says Dr Armstrong and, for those experiencing symptoms of psoriasis around their scalp, she recommends Neutrogena T Gel shampoo (£6.49, Amazon.co.uk) with coal tar extract. For coal tar body treatments, she’d recommend Exorex lotion (£14.49, Amazon.co.uk), which features a minimal and transparent ingredients list, including no less than five per cent coal tar solution.
Can you use soap with psoriasis?
“Traditional soaps can worsen psoriasis,” explains Dr Armstrong, because they “can contain harsh detergents, fragrances and preservatives that can strip the skin of its natural oily barrier which is protective” and, therefore, cause dryness and irritation. Instead, she recommends soap substitutes such as a Cetraben wash (£7.99, Boots.com).
On a skincare deep dive? Why not explore how much SPF you should be using every day even in winter
