14 Natural Treatments & Home Remedies for Psoriasis Relief

1) Moisturize like it’s your part-time job (because it kind of is)

Dryness makes itch worse, cracking more likely, and plaques feel tighter. A thick, fragrance-free cream or ointment helps protect the skin barrier and can soften scale over time. Ointments (like petroleum jelly-based) are often the heavy hitters for locking in moisture.

Try this: Apply a thick moisturizer right after bathing. At night, “slug” stubborn spots with an ointment layer and cotton gloves/socks if needed.

2) Take a warm bath or showerthen stop before it becomes a documentary

Warm water can soften plaques and loosen scale so skin feels less tight and irritated. The trick is keeping it short and gentle: long, hot baths can dry you out and trigger more irritation.

Try this: 5–10 minutes in warm water, mild cleanser only where needed, pat dry (don’t rub), then moisturize immediately.

3) Colloidal oatmeal baths for itch that won’t shut up

Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfastit’s a classic for calming itchy, irritated skin. Colloidal oatmeal (finely ground) disperses in water and can feel soothing, especially during flares.

Try this: Use a store-bought colloidal oatmeal product or finely grind plain oats. Soak 10–15 minutes, then moisturize.

4) Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts to help lift scale and ease itch

Salt baths are often used to loosen plaques and reduce itch. They’re not magic, but many people find them helpfulespecially when scaling is thick. Follow with moisturizer to avoid post-bath dryness.

Try this: Add salts to warm bath water, soak ~10–15 minutes, rinse with clean water, then moisturize. Skip if you have open cracks that sting.

5) Aloe vera: the “cooling gel friend” for mild redness and scaling

Aloe vera gel or creams (often around 0.5% aloe in products) may help calm redness and scaling in some people. It’s generally well tolerated, but irritation can still happenespecially with fragranced formulas.

Try this: Use a simple aloe gel/cream (no added fragrance). Apply to plaques up to a few times a day if your skin tolerates it.

6) Controlled sunlight (yes) sunburn (absolutely not)

Brief, regular exposure to natural sunlight can help some people with psoriasis. But sunburn is a known flare trigger and can worsen plaques or cause new ones. The goal is careful, time-limited exposure and smart sun protection.

Try this: Talk with your clinician first, start with very short exposure, avoid midday burn risk, and use sunscreen on unaffected skin. If you burn, stopyour psoriasis will remember.

7) A humidifier for dry air season (aka: winter’s villain arc)

Dry indoor air can worsen dryness and itch. A humidifier won’t “treat” psoriasis, but it can make your skin less crankyespecially when heaters are running.

Try this: Aim for comfortable indoor humidity, clean the humidifier regularly (mold is not a skincare ingredient), and keep moisturizing.

8) Gentle scale softening with oils (for scalp and stubborn patches)

Some people soften scale using mineral oil, coconut oil, or other simple oilsespecially on the scalpthen gently wash out later. The key word is gentle. Aggressive picking can injure skin and trigger new plaques.

Try this: Massage a small amount into scalp plaques, let it sit briefly, then shampoo out carefully. If you’re acne-prone, avoid heavy oils on the face/torso.

9) Coal tar (old-school, still used) for itch and plaque control

Coal tar has a long history in psoriasis care and is found in some shampoos and topicals. It can reduce scaling, itching, and inflammation for some people, but it can smell strong and stain fabrics (your towels may file a complaint).

Try this: Use as directed on the label, start slowly, and avoid if you’re pregnant/breastfeeding unless your clinician advises otherwise.

10) Salicylic acid (OTC keratolytic) to loosen thick scale

Salicylic acid helps soften and lift scale so other treatments can work better. It’s common in OTC psoriasis creams and shampoos. It can irritate sensitive areas, so use cautiously and follow directions.

Try this: Apply to thick plaques only, avoid eyes/groin, and moisturize after. If stinging or redness ramps up, stop and switch to plain emollients.

11) Capsaicin cream (chili pepper power) for itch/pain signals

Capsaicin can reduce pain/itch signaling in the skin for some conditions. For psoriasis, some people find it helpfulothers find it too spicy (literally). The most common issue is a burning sensation, especially at first.

Try this: Patch test first. Use a small amount, wash hands after, and avoid broken skin. If it burns intensely or you can’t tolerate it, don’t force it.

12) Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) topicals: promising, but choose carefully

Oregon grape is an herbal topical sometimes used for psoriasis, and some evidence suggests it may help certain people. Product quality varies a lot, and “herbal” doesn’t automatically mean “gentle,” so patch testing matters.

Try this: If you’re curious, pick a reputable brand, patch test, and avoid mixing it with multiple other actives at the same time.

13) Anti-inflammatory eating patterns (and realistic trigger testing)

Diet isn’t a universal psoriasis curebut what you eat can influence inflammation, weight, and overall health. Many people do best with a balanced, whole-food pattern: fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, legumes, whole grains, and omega-3-rich foods (like fatty fish).

Some people notice flares with alcohol, high-sugar ultra-processed foods, or certain personal triggers. The practical approach is a simple food-and-symptom log rather than a never-ending list of “forbidden foods.”

Try this: Add omega-3-rich foods 2–3 times/week, prioritize fiber, reduce ultra-processed snack cycles, and test one change at a time for 4–6 weeks.

14) Stress management + sleep: boring advice that works annoyingly well

Stress is a common flare trigger. That doesn’t mean psoriasis is “in your head.” It means your immune system responds to stress chemistryso the flare is real. Sleep matters too: it affects inflammation, coping, and how itchy everything feels at 2:00 a.m.

Try this: Pick one stress tool you’ll actually do: a 10-minute walk, breathing exercises, yoga, journaling, therapy, or meditation. For sleep: consistent bedtime, cool/dark room, and moisturize before bed to reduce nighttime itch.