Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChoosing the Best CreamOTC CreamsPrescription CreamsWhat to AvoidAlternativesSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Choosing the Best Cream
OTC Creams
Prescription Creams
What to Avoid
Alternatives
Seeking Medical Care
Topical creams—both over-the-counter and prescription—can help managepsoriasissymptoms such as dry, itchy skin. The best psoriasis creams may help keep the skin hydrated, reduce inflammation, and slow the rapid production of skin cells.
Learn more about what creams can help with psoriasis, skin care tips, and other treatment options.
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Choosing the Best Cream for Psoriasis
The best cream for psoriasis depends on the location, type, and severity of the psoriasis patches. Choose a cream free of irritants, including fragrances and ingredients you are allergic to. Ask your healthcare provider or amedical professionalspecializing in psoriasis treatment for recommendations.
Topical creams are typically used to treat mild-to-moderate psoriasis and to manage symptoms. For more severe cases, systemic prescription or combination therapies may be necessary.
The 10 Best Psoriasis Lotions to Soothe Rashes, Patches and Other Symptoms
Over-the-Counter Creams for Psoriasis
Over-the-counter (OTC) creams to treat mild psoriasis may contain:
These ingredients lock in moisture, treat itching, exfoliate the skin, protect the skin barrier, and more.
Anti-Itch Psoriasis Cream
Itchinessis one of the most common complaints of people with psoriasis. Common ingredients in anti-itch creams are:
A combination of these tends to work best against itching. Hydrating the skin while also applying anti-itch creams is also recommended.
Moisturizers and Emollients
Skin hydrationis especially important in maintaining healthy skin and treating psoriasis.
A moisturizer is a product that helps hydrate and protect the skin barrier, relieve dryness, and clear your skin. Although the word “emollient” is sometimes used interchangeably with “moisturizer,” an emollient is a specific type of ingredient added to moisturizers to help soften the skin.
Moisturizing creams are typically used daily and can be applied to damp skin for maximum hydration. They can be used several times a day if needed.Heavy creams, ointments, and oils usually work best and are very soothing. Because they can be messy, consider limiting their use until bedtime.
Moisturizer Ingredients: Understanding the Label
Salicylic Acid Creams
Salicylic acid is used to softenskin scalesand reduce their thickness. It is important to use products containing this ingredient as directed. Too much can irritate the skin, causing dry, red, and itchy skin.
Try applying salicylic acid creams 15 minutes after a warm bath.
Corticosteroid Creams
Corticosteroids help reduceinflammationand treat troublesome psoriasis patches.They are not meant to be used daily. You may find them in OTC creams or foams. They can also be found in shampoos used to treat scalp psoriasis.
Lower-potency corticosteroids like hydrocortisone may be added to other ingredients in lotions and creams. These weaker concentrations of corticosteroids are usually meant to be used on more sensitive areas of the skin, such as the face and skin folds.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is an active ingredient that may reduce itching and flaking, redness, swelling, and scaling. It can be found in products such as:
What to Know About Coal Tar Treatment for Psoriasis
Psoriasis Cream Prescription Options
You may need stronger medications to treat psoriasis flares. A primary care provider ordermatologist(medical doctor specializing in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails) may recommend prescription topical drugs, alone or in combination, such as:
Stronger Corticosteroid Creams
Some prescribed topical steroid creams include:
Note that the percentage after the name of a steroid does not indicate how strong it is in relation to other steroids, as steroids differ in their strengths. For example, clobetasol 0.05% is stronger than hydrocortisone 2.5%.
Once your corticosteroid treatment ends, you may need a maintenance routine using vitamin D analogues, topical retinoids, and calcineurin inhibitors.
Steroid Cream for Psoriasis
Tazarotene
Retinoids are precursors to vitamin A and can be used to treat psoriasis. They come in oral and topical forms.
The topical form is Tazorac (tazarotene), which is used to decrease scales, lessen redness and swelling, and treat psoriasis on the nails.A combination cream that includes a steroid, called Duobrii (halobetasol, tazarotene), is also available.
Pregnant people should not use retinoids as they can affect fetal development.
Vitamin D Analogues
Vitamin D analogues bind to vitamin D receptors, inhibiting skin cell growth and enhancing differentiation.Vitamin D analogues include:
These are often used in conjunction with steroids, and combination creams are available including:
Anthralin
Anthralin is an older topical medication that is not used very often due to its potential for temporarily staining skin and permanently staining clothing and fabric.However, it can be used if other treatments do not work.
Calcineurin Inhibitors
Calcineurin inhibitorscan be used as an alternative to corticosteroids as they do not thin your skin the way steroids can.They include:
Tacrolimus is the stronger of the two.
Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: Prescription Treatments and Home Remedies
Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) Inhibitors
The FDA approvedZoryve (roflumilast) cream in 2022 to treat plaque psoriasis.It blocks a molecule involved in cell energy production and the inflammatory process.As it isn’t a steroid, it can be used on the face.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists
The FDA approved Vtama (tapinarof) cream in 2022.It is a nonsteroidal cream that binds to a cell receptor and modulates the inflammatory reaction. However, exactly how it works for psoriasis is unknown.
Does Psoriasis Go Away?
What Should You Not Put on Psoriasis?
Certain substances can trigger psoriasis or contribute to a flare-up. If you have psoriasis, avoid hot showers, use gentle cleansers instead of soap, and avoid fragranced lotions.
Before applying lotions, creams, soap, or sunscreens, consult a healthcare provider for recommendations.
Alternatives for When Topical Treatment Doesn’t Work
Topical treatments are usually the first line of therapy when treating psoriasis and can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as:
How Psoriasis Is Treated
Talking to Your Healthcare Provider About Treatment
Psoriasis can affect your quality of life, especially if it’s recurrent or difficult to treat. A healthcare provider can explain the different topicals and help you choose a treatment that works best for you, which may help you stick to the treatment plan.
You can also learn how to avoid triggers and get other helpful recommendations for managing your psoriasis symptoms.
If you have been trying topicals with no success, discuss adjusting your treatment plan with your healthcare provider. Your provider may recommend a new topical, oral medications, biologics, or other options.
Summary
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition requiring topical ointments, creams, moisturizers, and medications for treatment, management, and prevention.
The best treatment for you depends on your age, the severity of the psoriasis, and the location on your body. Your provider will consider these factors when creating a treatment plan.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Elmets C, et al.Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(2):432-470. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.07.087American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: A retinoid you apply to your skin.Fathalla D, Youssef EMK, Soliman GM.Liposomal and ethosomal gels for the topical delivery of anthralin: preparation, comparative evaluation and clinical assessment in psoriatic patients.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(5):446. doi:10.3390/pharmaceuticals12050446Torsekar R, Gautam MM.Topical therapies in psoriasis.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017;8(4):235-245. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.209622American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream.Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve (roflumilast) cream, for topical use.Li H, Zuo J, Tang W.Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1048. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01048U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshots: Vtama.Food and Drug Administration.Vtama (tapinarof) cream, for topical use.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Elmets C, et al.Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(2):432-470. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.07.087American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: A retinoid you apply to your skin.Fathalla D, Youssef EMK, Soliman GM.Liposomal and ethosomal gels for the topical delivery of anthralin: preparation, comparative evaluation and clinical assessment in psoriatic patients.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(5):446. doi:10.3390/pharmaceuticals12050446Torsekar R, Gautam MM.Topical therapies in psoriasis.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017;8(4):235-245. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.209622American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream.Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve (roflumilast) cream, for topical use.Li H, Zuo J, Tang W.Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1048. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01048U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshots: Vtama.Food and Drug Administration.Vtama (tapinarof) cream, for topical use.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?Elmets C, et al.Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(2):432-470. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.07.087American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: A retinoid you apply to your skin.Fathalla D, Youssef EMK, Soliman GM.Liposomal and ethosomal gels for the topical delivery of anthralin: preparation, comparative evaluation and clinical assessment in psoriatic patients.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(5):446. doi:10.3390/pharmaceuticals12050446Torsekar R, Gautam MM.Topical therapies in psoriasis.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017;8(4):235-245. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.209622American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream.Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve (roflumilast) cream, for topical use.Li H, Zuo J, Tang W.Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1048. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01048U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshots: Vtama.Food and Drug Administration.Vtama (tapinarof) cream, for topical use.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
National Institute of Health.Topical treatments for psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?
Elmets C, et al.Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(2):432-470. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.07.087
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: A retinoid you apply to your skin.
Fathalla D, Youssef EMK, Soliman GM.Liposomal and ethosomal gels for the topical delivery of anthralin: preparation, comparative evaluation and clinical assessment in psoriatic patients.Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(5):446. doi:10.3390/pharmaceuticals12050446
Torsekar R, Gautam MM.Topical therapies in psoriasis.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017;8(4):235-245. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.209622
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis treatment: tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream.
Food and Drug Administration.Zoryve (roflumilast) cream, for topical use.
Li H, Zuo J, Tang W.Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1048. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01048
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Drug Trials Snapshots: Vtama.
Food and Drug Administration.Vtama (tapinarof) cream, for topical use.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
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