5 Best Moisturizers for Psoriasis in 2024, According to Derms

Scales. Plaques. Flaking. If you’re knowingly (and frustratingly) nodding your head, then you’re likely familiar with the autoimmune disease psoriasis, which affects more than 7.5 million adults in the US, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).

“Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that [can cause] very red, scaly plaques,” Helyn Alvarez, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin tells SELF. (There are different types of psoriasis; the kind in which thick plaques appear is called—fittingly—plaque psoriasis.) These patches can pop up anywhere on your body, but are mostly found on the scalp, elbows, and knees.

Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes plaque psoriasis, but they do know it typically follows a cycle of flare-ups and remission that can last weeks or months. And there are many potential triggers, including stress, injury to the skin, changes in the weather, and illness, according to the NPF.

Despite there being no cure for psoriasis, there are lots of treatment options for softening those uncomfortable scales and plaques, Regine Mathieu, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Behr Laser and Skin Care Center in Fresno, California, tells SELF. She recommends visiting a board-certified derm, who can help you build a treatment plan that may include oral pills, injectables, or a prescription topical steroid cream.

Another key tool for your kit: a great over-the-counter moisturizer. The best moisturizers for psoriasis can play an important role in maintaining healthy skin, Dr. Mathieu says. “If the skin is too dry, then it can crack,” she explains. “Any interruption of the skin barrier in psoriasis has a potential to cause new lesions to form, so it’s important to moisturize.” Just remember, she adds, that a moisturizer alone likely isn’t enough to treat psoriasis.

We tapped derms for their favorite soothing, hydrating picks from trusted brands like CeraVe and La Roche Posay—shop their recs below.

Our top picks

• Best Overall: CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream
• Best Budget: Gold Bond Multi-Symptom Psoriasis Relief Cream
• Best Exfoliating: MG217 Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream
• Best Drugstore: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
• Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

What should you look for while shopping for a moisturizer for psoriasis?

While it may be tempting to start with any old bottle of body lotion, Dr. Alvarez says that not all moisturizers are right for people with psoriasis. “The thing about this condition, compared to eczema, is that the scale can really build up and become quite thick,” she says. “When we think about a moisturizer, you need different ingredients than [you’d find] in your general eczema cream.”

To that end, look for products that contain keratolytic agents, which are acids that cause the skin to shed and can help slough off plaques. One of the most common keratolytic agents you’ll find in psoriasis creams is salicylic acid. Other key exfoliating ingredients include urea and lactic acid.

Shop the best moisturizers for psoriasis

We’ve rounded up the best dermatologist-approved, fragrance-free moisturizers for your psoriasis skin care routine.

Best Overall: CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream

Pros

• Extremely gentle on the skin
• Contains multiple exfoliating ingredients
• Comes in a larger bottle with an easy-to-use pump

Cons

• Not suitable for sensitive areas like the face and groin
• Amazon reviewers report flimsy packaging may leak

Packed with exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid, lactic acid, and urea, plus soothing niacinamide and ceramides, CeraVe’s Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream is a top pick for both Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Mathieu because it’s effective and gentle. This body moisturizer comes in a handy bottle with a pump that’s easy to use. You can apply it up to four times a day to soothe the skin and help smooth any rough patches.

FYI: Dr. Mathieu cautions that no matter how gentle a psoriasis lotion may be, the active ingredients may still cause some skin irritation. “If someone experiences a rash, tingling, or burning, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and seek care from a board-certified dermatologist,” she says. “This is not a common complaint, but can occur with anything containing salicylic acid.”

Best Budget: Gold Bond Multi-Symptom Psoriasis Relief Cream

Pros

• Higher level of salicylic acid
• Budget-friendly
• Recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation

Cons

• Smaller tube
• Some Amazon reviewers say it feels thick and greasy

For psoriasis sufferers looking for a little more exfoliating power, Gold Bond’s Multi-Symptom Psoriasis Relief Cream could be the right step up from CeraVe. With a 3% concentration of salicylic acid, it’s more potent than many other OTC creams.

“This product not only has salicylic acid, but also contains gluconolactone, which helps exfoliate dead skin cells,” Dr. Mathieu says. “Plus, it contains seven different moisturizing agents to minimize water loss within the skin.” Even better: We like that it’s been recognized by the NPF for its sensitive-skin-friendly formula.

Best Exfoliating: MG217 Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream

Pros

• Higher level of salicylic acid
• Recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation
• Contains multiple highly moisturizing ingredients

Cons

• Smaller tube
• May leave a white residue, according to Amazon reviewers

Similar to the Gold Bond cream above, MC217’s Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream contains 3% salicylic acid to exfoliate psoriasis plaques. “It also has moisturizing elements that are beneficial for the skin,” says Dr. Mathieu, including avocado oil, shea butter, and aloe vera. And it’s been recognized by the NPF for similar reasons (read: it’s gentle enough to use daily).

But MG217 is lighter and thinner than the Gold Bond cream, according to Amazon shoppers—so if you want a smoother application, this might be the one for you.

Best Drugstore: Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Pros

• Thick and occlusive
• Great for softening extra tough plaques
• Can be combined with other creams on this list

Cons

• Doesn’t contain any exfoliating agents
• Consistency is greasy and slightly messy to apply

Good old Aquaphor: It’s the OG drugstore favorite that’s probably already tucked away in your medicine cabinet. “It really can help moisturize and keep [affected areas] occluded,” Dr. Alvarez says.

How you choose to incorporate Aquaphor into your psoriasis regimen is up to you. If creams with multiple exfoliating agents are too harsh on your skin, you may want to apply Aquaphor directly onto thick plaques. But if your skin can tolerate psoriasis-specific creams, Dr. Alvarez recommends layering. “I would do a sandwich method,” she says. “I would use my regular sensitive skin moisturizer, like [something from] Cetaphil. I would then put my psoriasis cream on the thicker plaques, and I would put a little bit of ointment [Aquaphor or Vaseline] on the top as the icing.”

Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

Pros

• Rich texture, according to Amazon reviewers
• Comes in a larger bottle with a pump
• Can be applied on the face and body

Cons

• Some Amazon reviewers say it’s too thick

Like Aquaphor, this La Roche Posay option doesn’t contain the typical exfoliating hero ingredients you’ll find in most psoriasis creams (which may be a plus, depending on your skin’s ability to tolerate actives). Still, Dr. Mathieu likes it as an ultra-moisturizing option for her patients—and if you follow Dr. Alvarez’s sandwich method, it could serve as a nice base layer.

“This is one of my favorite moisturizers to recommend for sensitive skin,” Dr. Mathieu says. “It’s extremely hydrating and also contains niacinamide, which helps improve inflammation.” It’s packed with other key softening, barrier-protecting ingredients too, like shea butter and ceramides.

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