3 Exfoliants for Psoriasis Really helpful by Dermatologists

Whenever you’ve acquired dry patches of pores and skin, it is tempting to need to scrub away the flakes. But when these dry patches are brought on by psoriasis, bodily exfoliation is without doubt one of the worst issues you are able to do. In response to Ivy Lee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Pasadena, California, whereas sloughing your pores and skin could aid you do away with a patch within the quick time period, it will probably make it worse in the long term.

“There is a recognized phenomenon referred to as the Koebner Phenomenon, the place any kind of trauma—so cuts, scrapes, and even self-induced trauma, like scratching and rubbing—can flare your psoriasis,” says Dr. Lee. “A whole lot of my sufferers begin off with actually delicate psoriasis, perhaps on their elbows or knees, and so they’re like, ‘Oh, effectively it is only a patch of dry pores and skin, so let me go forward and let me use a pumice stone or use my loofah and scrub it,’ after which they’re like, ‘However after I did that, my psoriasis acquired worse and it unfold to a bigger patch.'” So because of the Koebner Phenomenon, bodily exfoliation is a no-go if you’re coping with psoriasis.

In the event you’ve acquired dry patches you need to clear up, go for a hydrating chemical exfoliant as a substitute. In contrast to your regular scrubs, which bodily take away useless pores and skin cells and could be abrasive, these components soften the “glue” that holds them to the floor of your pores and skin and gently whisks them away.

“When folks have thicker plaques on their pores and skin, use of an alpha hydroxy acid, reminiscent of lactic acid, or a urea-based product can actually go a great distance to assist to get these scales off the pores and skin,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Connecticut. Dr. Lee additionally recommends salicylic acid, which she says is “a keratolytic, that means it breaks up pores and skin cells and may help clean the feel and reduce scaliness and flakiness.” Pair your chemical exfoliants with hydrating components (both in the identical product or in numerous routine steps), like ceramides and omega-3 fatty acids, which can assist maintain your pores and skin barrier sturdy, soothed, and nourished.

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Whereas these actives will not treatment your psoriasis, they’ll make the situation much less uncomfortable and simpler to stay with. Store some choices beneath.

Eucerin Roughness Reduction Lotion — $12.00

This lotion makes use of urea, which breaks down psoriasis plaques whereas additionally hydrating and softening the pores and skin. It’s additionally made with ceramides, which maintain the pores and skin barrier sturdy by serving to it retain hydration.

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