Living with psoriasis can be challenging. It can have a huge impact on the quality of your life—including your relationships, stress levels, and self-confidence.
If you have psoriasis flare ups, you’re not alone—2 to 3 percent of the total population suffer from this condition. Luckily, there are natural remedies for psoriasis that can help ease your symptoms and provide relief for your stressed skin.
Before we take a look at some natural, soothing ingredients to look for when caring for your psoriasis, it might be helpful to define exactly what the condition is, as well as the different types.
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes the body to make new skin cells faster than normal. These new cells multiply in days rather than weeks, which causes a buildup of cells on the skin’s surface. Scaly, red patches with white scales surface on the skin, and these patches can range from just a few spots to eruptions on large areas of the body. These patches can burn and itch. Sufferers of psoriasis also experience stiff, swollen joints, and ridged, thickened nails.
There is no specific cause of psoriasis—people inherit the genes that eventually lead to it. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning that your immune system mistakenly attacks your body in the form of rapid skin cell development. It is not contagious. In order for someone to develop psoriasis, they must already have the gene combination that cause it, and be exposed to specific external triggers. These triggers include certain foods (particularly gluten and dairy), stress, alcohol, certain medications, and infections that compromise the immune system.
Psoriasis usually goes through cycles—it flares up for a few weeks or months, then goes away for weeks or months. Sometimes (if you’re lucky), it may never flare up again. There is no cure for this chronic disease, but you can manage its symptoms through lifestyle measures and stress management. You can also use natural skin care for psoriasis that may help the condition.
The following are a few natural ingredients to look for in your skin care products that may help with your psoriasis:
A powerful antioxidant rich in polyphenols, white tea protects the cells in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis), which are the outermost reach of the immune system. White tea also helps to relieve redness and inflammation.
Skin care products and retinoids with vitamin A have been shown to lessen the scaling, swelling, and redness associated with psoriasis, as well as slow rapidly-growing skin cells. In a serum, vitamin C rejuvenates weak cells affected by facial psoriasis, and enhances the skin’s immunity.
Studies conclude that psoriasis may be associated with low levels of vitamin D. An immune-regulating hormone, vitamin D can suppress inflammation associated with psoriasis. It can also reduce the rapid growth of skin cells. Vitamin E in a topical form reduces inflammation and offers temporary relief from itching. Vitamin E also moisturizes the skin, preventing itchiness.
Natural products that contain alpha hydroxy acids dissolve dulling surface cells, resulting in a clearer, more vibrant complexion. Studies have shown that a daily application of an AHA product, particularly in combination with betamethasone (a steroid), can help alleviate symptoms of psoriasis. Alpha hydroxy acids also exfoliate the skin and slough off dead skin cells. Note: AHAs can be harsh on sensitive skin.
Incredibly nourishing and soothing, botanical hydrosols contain powerful relief for psoriasis symptoms. In particular, witch hazel hydrosol, the most antioxidant hydrosol, is anti-inflammatory and soothes blistering skin. Another wonderful hydrosol is yarrow—it instantly relieves itching and inflammation and heals the basal cells of the skin. Melissa—also known as lemon balm—relieves skin infections when used in a hydrosol.
Natural botanical oils—particularly rice bran, olive, and marula oils—are antioxidant-rich purifying oils and high in essential fatty acids, which defend against infection and inflammation. Olive oil contains a significant amount of polyphenols and vitamin E, which provide antioxidant effects and contribute to its anti-inflammatory functions. Rice bran oil contains tocopherol and tocotrienol, two forms of the powerful antioxidant Vitamin E, and improves the skin’s immunity. Marula oil for psoriasis is high in omega-9 oleic acid and the omega-6 essential fatty acid linoleic acid, and can be effective in treating dry skin.
Carrot seed oil is an anti-aging essential oil that regenerates the skin and relieves dryness and itching. A go-to oil for psoriasis, carrot seed oil vitalizes the hypodermis, reduces environmental stress, repairs the skin, and inhibits bacteria. It can be used to complete a facial treatment to combat dryness and encourage cellular renewal.
An anti-inflammatory plant oil, rosehip oil soothes skin irritation and doesn’t have a typical oily feel. Along with hydrating the skin on the face and body, rosehip oil helps relieve the itchy discomfort that comes with psoriasis. It also reduces scaling and provides the right environment for healing.
The following are Abbey St. Clare products that can help relieve psoriasis:
With consistent use of these products, you can effectively relieve your psoriasis symptoms naturally. At Abbey St. Clare, our goal is to combine science and nature to create products that promote health, as well as beauty, with the best natural skin care products for treating skin conditions and achieving a healthy glow.
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