Can coconut oil help psoriasis? What about olive oil or oatmeal? Read on for more about these and other natural remedies that may help relieve itchiness, dryness, and irritation.
A number of natural remedies may help relieve your psoriasis symptoms. While they won’t replace psoriasis treatments prescribed by your physician, these topicals might help your skin feel less dry, inflamed, and itchy.
“Medications can work separately from natural remedies or as part of a combination or adjunct treatment,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a dermatologist in South Florida. “I don’t believe it has to be one or the other.”
It’s important to check with your doctor before you try any natural remedy for psoriasis, since even so-called natural ingredients can interact with medications or irritate sensitive skin.
The ingredients and essential oils here might be worth a try if you’re looking for natural remedies to help ease your psoriasis symptoms.
9 Best Natural Ingredients for Psoriasis
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1. Tea Tree Oil
Derived from a plant native to Australia, tea tree oil is an anti-inflammatory used to treat conditions ranging from nail fungus and athlete’s foot to psoriasis, says Jennifer Burns, a naturopathic doctor and researcher in traditional medicine at the Burns Integrative Wellness Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
To use, mix 1 part tea tree oil to 10 parts olive oil, then dab on affected areas with a cotton ball.
Some people are allergic to tea tree oil, so be sure to perform a patch test before applying (see below, on precautions).
2. Olive Oil
High in inflammation-fighting oleic acid and polyphenols (beneficial compounds found in plants), olive oil appears to ease psoriasis symptoms in multiple ways.
Olive oil is a great moisturizer that does double duty as an anti-inflammatory to calm irritated skin. Apply a small amount to your scalp, elbows, or anywhere you have psoriasis plaques, says Dr. Burns.
Or, for a soothing full-body soak, add 2 teaspoons (tsp) of warmed olive oil to your bath water.
Robin Evans, MD, a physician at Southern Connecticut Dermatology in Stamford, notes that olive oil is also an important part of an anti-psoriasis eating plan. A growing body of research suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes extra-virgin olive oil, can help prevent psoriasis from getting worse.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can help counter dryness caused by psoriasis by trapping moisture in the skin, says Burns. Gently rub a small amount on psoriasis plaques, as you would any moisturizer. You can also use the oil on your scalp to help loosen psoriasis scales.
4. Oatmeal
Found in many health and beauty products, oatmeal can help relieve the itchiness and inflammation associated with psoriasis.
To prepare an oatmeal bath that won’t leave your tub full of soggy bits, add ½ cup of dry oats to a leg of pantyhose, knot the top, and drop it into the water before you step in.
Dr. Evans cautions: “Oatmeal baths are useful to calm itching, but they also can be very drying, which may exacerbate psoriasis — inherently a very dry condition.”
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can help calm psoriasis itch, but Burns warns that it’s important to dilute the vinegar properly before using.
She recommends mixing one part apple cider vinegar to two parts water. Dab the diluted vinegar onto your skin or scalp, avoiding any areas that are cracked or bleeding.
Be sure not to leave the solution on longer than 10 minutes; otherwise, it might make your skin even drier and more irritated.
6. Aloe Vera
“I love this plant,” Burns says. “It helps reduce inflammation and can speed up healing time.” Its many uses, she says, include soothing minor burns, cuts, and scrapes, thanks to its strong antibacterial, antiseptic, and fungicidal properties. Research has found that compounds in aloe vera promote wound healing.
You can use pure aloe gel, or look for creams with about 0.5 percent aloe content. Apply two to three times a day to soften skin and calm psoriasis flares.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda isn’t just for cooking and cleaning: You can use it in your self-care routine for everything from whitening teeth to relieving the itchiness of psoriasis.
Burns recommends mixing 1 tsp of baking soda with a small amount of water to make a paste that you can apply to psoriasis patches.
Use with caution: “Baking soda can be helpful for itching, but, like oatmeal, it can be very drying,” Evans says.
8. Dead Sea Salt
People travel from all over the world to float in the Dead Sea, located on the border of Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan. This body of water is almost 10 times saltier than the ocean and rich in minerals with purported healing powers.
To relieve psoriasis itchiness and irritation at home, add Dead Sea salts (or substitute Epsom salts) to a warm bath, then soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to apply moisturizer afterward to prevent dryness.
9. Pine Bark Extract
Pine bark extract has antioxidant properties, Burns says, which may bolster the effects of your other psoriasis treatments. A cream containing pine bark extract, in the standardized form of Pyncnogenol, used directly on affected skin may help to reduce redness, thickness, and inflammation from psoriasis.
Just be sure to check with your dermatologist before adding pine bark to your routine.
10. Mahonia Aquifolium (Oregon Grape)
Mahonia aquifolium is a powerful antimicrobial herb. A review of clinical trials found that in 5 out of 7 research studies, mahonia led to an improvement in psoriasis symptoms, with minimal side effects.
Look for a cream containing 10 percent mahonia and apply it to any mild or moderate psoriasis plaques.
Precautions When Using Natural Remedies
While natural topical products are generally safe to use, it’s possible your skin might not react well to a given ingredient. To see if an ingredient or essential oil triggers an allergic reaction, perform a patch test: Apply a small amount to an area of skin, such as the inside of your forearm, then cover with a Band-Aid. “After a few days, if you don’t experience any negative reactions, then it would be safe to apply to larger areas of the body,” says Evans.
Evans recommends using small amounts on psoriasis areas to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction before you apply more liberally.
She says she would give these natural treatments a month or so to see whether they lead to any improvement in psoriasis symptoms. “If they’re working, there should be a decrease in itching and burning,” she says. If they aren’t helping, you can try them a second time in combination with another remedy — “as long as there are no untoward effects,” she advises.
The Takeaway
Certain natural remedies like olive oil and aloe vera have anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve the itchiness of psoriasis when applied to your skin.
Check with your doctor first if you’re considering adding any of these to your psoriasis care routine. Some ingredients may interact with medications you’re taking or cause irritation. These natural remedies are meant to complement your medical treatment, not replace it.
Before applying to affected skin, perform a patch test to determine if you might have an allergic reaction to any ingredients.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
Taheri M et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Restorative Effects of Olives in Topical Application. Dermatology Research and Practice. June 26, 2021.
Annunziata G et al. Plant-Based Foods for Chronic Skin Diseases: A Focus on the Mediterranean Diet. Current Nutrition Reports. March 6, 2025.
Hekmatpou D et al. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences. January 2019.
Jales STL et al. Development and Characterization of Aloe vera Mucilaginous-Based Hydrogels for Psoriasis Treatment. Journal of Composites Science. August 6, 2022.
Loria K. The Latest Buzz on Psoriasis. Dermatology Times. January 2, 2023.
Janeczek M et al. Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Mahonia aquifolium for the Treatment of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. December 2018.
Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and the founder of Skincare Junkie. She is an accomplished cosmetic, medical, and surgical dermatologist, specializing in leading-edge facial rejuvenation techniques, including injectable fillers and botulinum toxin injections, advanced laser procedures, noninvasive body contouring, and removing lumps and bumps with precision. She is an expert in the treatment and detection of medical conditions, including skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Dr. Rose believes in a comprehensive approach to skin health and incorporating a skin-care routine tailored specifically for each individual and utilizing a wide array of tools to target specific skin concerns.
Rose has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatology Surgery, and Pediatric Dermatology, and has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, Elle, Allure, Cosmopolitan, Self, Women’s Health, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.
Mikel Theobald is an Indianapolis-based freelance writer who covers a wide range of topics, including early childhood education, home and family, Olympic sports, nutrition, fitness, and health. Her work has appeared in consumer and professional publications such as HealthDay, AOL, Huffington Post, Livestrong, and others.
Her favorite aspect of health writing is providing information to readers that helps them confidently advocate for their health and well-being. She helps readers sort through the complexities of important topics so they walk away with a deeper understanding of the information.
When she isn’t spending time with her family or meeting a writing deadline, you can often find Theobald volunteering for child advocacy organizations. She is the proud mother of 3 humans, 2 dogs, and 1 cat. She loves good books, live music, and Broadway musicals.
