7 Essential Oils to Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes your skin to crack, dry, and sometimes bleed. You can use essential oils to reduce psoriasis symptoms.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that makes your skin red and causes rashes, itching, and burning. You can control the condition with ointments and creams recommended by your doctor. UV exposure should also be part of your treatment plan. If you’re looking to add more products to your skin care routine, consider adding essential oils. Using essential oils to treat psoriasis may provide some relief. Oils like tea tree oil, lavender oil, and chamomile oil applied to the skin may help reduce symptoms.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a non-pathogenic, autoimmune skin disease that causes skin cells to multiply rapidly and accumulate on the surface. It can last for long periods, with periods of remission and flare-ups. According to the World Health Organization’s 2016 psoriasis report, this serious condition affects approximately 100 million people worldwide.

There are many types of psoriasis, of which plaque psoriasis is the most common type, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. It looks like raised, red welts of skin covered with white-on-white scales.

Psoriasis symptoms include:

• Skin erythema covered with silvery-white scales
• Itching, burning, or pain in affected areas, such as the scalp, elbows, knees, back, and palms.
• The skin may be cracked, dry, and bleed.
• Thickened or pitted nails (nail psoriasis)
• Joint swelling (psoriatic arthritis)

Essential Oils for Psoriasis: Here’s How They Can Help

Essential oils have anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and soothing properties that can help reduce psoriasis symptoms. Adding essential oils for psoriasis may help to:

• Reduce redness and swelling associated with sores.
• Relieve itching and discomfort.
• Promotes healing of cracked or dry skin.
• It relaxes the mind, which helps manage stress.

It’s important to remember that essential oils won’t cure psoriasis, but they can complement your doctor’s recommended treatment. Corticosteroids are often recommended to reduce pain and itching. Vitamin D analogs (like calcipotriol) can help slow the growth of skin cells, and coal tar and salicylic acid can help remove scales and tighten skin. Exposure to UVB rays can slow skin cell growth.

7 Essential Oils to Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms

Using this oil for psoriasis may help you manage the following skin symptoms:

1. Tea tree oil

The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can reduce itching and prevent infection of open wounds. Terpinen-4-ol, the main component of tea tree oil, has anti-inflammatory properties. Terpinen-4-ol may be used to treat psoriasis, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Pharmacology & Physiology.

2. Lavender oil

Lavender is known for its soothing properties that reduce redness, swelling, and itching. It can also promote relaxation, help manage stress, and reduce inflammation. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that topical application of lavender oil improved psoriasis healing by about 74%.

3. Bergamot Oil

It helps reduce redness and discomfort by acting as an anti-inflammatory. Its anti-inflammatory properties protect broken skin from infection. In a 2019 study published in the Journal Food Science & Nutrition, researchers found that using bergamot essential oil reduced psoriasis plaques and increased skin collagen levels.

4. Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil has a cooling effect on the skin. This can help reduce the itching and discomfort associated with this condition. Since cracked and dry skin is a common symptom, it’s important to keep your skin moisturized. Using these essential oils can help dry out the skin and help it heal better.

5. Chamomile Oil

It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that smooth the skin. It can help reduce itching and cracking of the skin. A 2023 study published in the journal Pharmaceutics found that chamomile is used topically as well as hydrocortisone, which is used to treat psoriasis. Research shows that chamomile oil can be used effectively to treat psoriasis.

6. Frankincense oil

This oil supports skin regeneration and helps reduce scars. It also supports overall skin health and reduces inflammation. In a 2022 study published in the Journal of Pharmacognosy Research, participants who used creams containing aqueous extracts of frankincense, pumpkin, and licorice saw a reduction in psoriasis symptoms.

7. Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil has cooling properties that can reduce itching and irritation. It may also reduce joint pain associated with psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis that sometimes affects people with psoriasis.

How to use essential oils for psoriasis?

While they can be effective in reducing symptoms, you should know how to use essential oils to treat psoriasis:

• Dilution – Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut, almond, or jojoba oil. A 2 to 3 percent dilution (about 10 to 15 drops per ounce of carrier oil) is sufficient.
• Topical – Massage diluted oil directly into affected area 2 to 3 times daily, but do not use on open wounds.
• Bath – Add about 10 drops of essential oil (diluted with carrier) to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes to soothe and moisturize skin.
• Scalp Treatment – Mix essential oils with carrier oil, massage into scalp, soak for 30 minutes, and then wash.

Who should not use essential oils to treat psoriasis?

Using essential oils to treat psoriasis is considered safe, but to protect yourself, you should remember the following:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women – Some essential oils can affect hormone levels.
• People with allergies or sensitive skin – Essential oils can cause irritation, so do a patch test first.
• People with breathing problems – Strong-smelling oils can cause breathing problems.
• People taking medications – Some oils can interact with medications (such as lavender oil, which contains sedatives). It is important to consult a doctor before using essential oils to manage symptoms.

You can combine essential oils with other treatments and follow a healthy diet to better manage psoriasis symptoms. However, talk to your doctor before using essential oils to treat psoriasis.