Over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizers can be a helpful part of managing symptoms of psoriasis, such as flaking, itching, and discoloration. Moisturizers — also called emollients — help keep the skin hydrated and support healing. They can also soothe, protect, and cover small cracks or breaks in the skin.

An OTC moisturizer isn’t a replacement for prescription treatments like biologics, which can help achieve skin clearance. However, it can be a useful addition to your psoriasis treatment plan. Your dermatologist can help you decide how OTC products may fit into your overall care.

When choosing a moisturizer, look for ingredients like salicylic acid and coal tar on the label. Both are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help treat psoriasis.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is known as a keratolytic agent — it helps the skin shed its outer layer of dead cells and works to soften and remove psoriasis plaques or scales. Using an over-the-counter (OTC) product with salicylic acid alongside your prescription topical treatment may help the medication absorb more deeply into the skin, making it more effective.

OTC moisturizers with salicylic acid are available in strengths up to 3 percent. Products with a higher concentration require a prescription from a dermatologist or other healthcare provider.

Potential Side Effects

Salicylic acid can cause stinging or skin irritation if it's left on too long or used in too high a concentration. It’s also possible for your body to absorb too much salicylic acid if you apply it to a large area of skin. This has only been reported in people using a concentration of 6 percent or higher over 40 percent or more of their body.

Coal Tar

Coal tar helps slow the rapid growth of skin cells, promotes gentle peeling, and reduces common psoriasis symptoms like inflammation, itching, and scaling. In general, the higher the concentration of coal tar, the more potent the product. Over-the-counter products with coal tar are available in strengths ranging from 0.5 percent to 5 percent.​

Potential Side Effects

Coal tar can sometimes irritate or dry out the skin and, in some people, may cause an acnelike breakout. It can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s important to use sunscreen and limit sun exposure to help prevent sunburn.

Coal tar isn’t right for everyone. It can also stain fabric, bedding, and other surfaces. One member of MyPsoriasisTeam said, “I’ve tried coal tar cream, but I’m tired of smelling like a car engine and my clothes turning yellow.”

Other Helpful Ingredients

While not as strong as salicylic acid or coal tar for treating psoriasis, some other active ingredients can help soothe irritated or itchy skin and support skin comfort. These include:

• Lactic acid – Helps remove dead skin cells and improve hydration
• Urea – Softens rough skin and promotes moisture retention
• Phenol – May relieve itching by acting as a local anesthetic
• Calamine – Provides a cooling effect and helps reduce itch
• Hydrocortisone (a mild steroid) — Reduces inflammation and itching
• Camphor — Creates a cooling sensation and may reduce discomfort
• Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (an antihistamine) — Can relieve itching
• Benzocaine (a topical anesthetic) — Numbs the skin to ease irritation
• Aloe vera — Soothes and hydrates dry, inflamed skin
• Jojoba — Moisturizes and helps protect the skin barrier
• Zinc pyrithione — Has antifungal and antibacterial properties and may help with scaling

Ingredients To Avoid

Many moisturizers include additives and fragrances that can irritate sensitive or inflamed skin. When choosing a product, try to avoid those that contain added fragrance or drying alcohols, as these ingredients may worsen symptoms like itching or discoloration.

Recommended OTC Moisturizers for Psoriasis

Below is a list of popular OTC moisturizers that have earned the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Seal of Recognition and have worked well for MyPsoriasisTeam members. OTC moisturizers alone cannot bring about full remission from psoriasis (complete relief of symptoms). However, finding the right moisturizer may be a helpful tool in your treatment plan.

Talk with your dermatologist about how OTC emollients may fit into your overall psoriasis care.

Gold Bond Ultimate Multi-Symptom Psoriasis Relief Cream

Gold Bond Ultimate Multi-Symptom Psoriasis Relief Cream is a 3 percent salicylic acid cream. A MyPsoriasisTeam member said, “Gold Bond released a psoriasis relief lotion that has salicylic acid in it. Topically, that’s the only thing that’s ever relieved the pain, itch, and redness for me.”

Another member agreed, “I use Gold Bond medicated body lotion. It seems to control the itch.”

MG217 Sal-Acid Multi-Symptom Moisturizing Cream

MG217 Sal-Acid Multi-Symptom Moisturizing Cream formula contains 3 percent salicylic acid and can be used with MG217’s Medicated Coal Tar Ointment. The salicylic acid helps loosen and remove scales, while the coal tar slows down the production of skin cells.

Many MyPsoriasisTeam members vouch for MG217’s salicylic acid cream. “MG217 is an over-the-counter cream specifically for psoriasis, and you can get it at Rite Aid or Walgreens. It works better than my prescription,” one member wrote.

Another member said, “I have been using an ointment called MG217. That and the wonderful Arizona sun seem to be keeping it in check for now.”

MG217 Medicated Coal Tar Ointment

MG217’s Medicated Coal Tar Ointment works best combined with MG217 Sal-Acid Multi-Symptom Moisturizing Cream. The 2 percent coal tar helps slow cell overgrowth and moisturize the skin to relieve itching, scaling, irritation, and discoloration.

A MyPsoriasisTeam member who experiences scalp psoriasis said, “I have tried several things, and the MG217 shampoo and coal tar ointment is the best for getting rid of all the scales very easily.”

CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream contains 2 percent salicylic acid to remove scales, lactic acid for exfoliation, niacinamide to calm the skin, and ceramides to reinforce the skin’s barrier and maintain hydration levels. CeraVe also makes a skin cleanser with similar ingredients.

CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream is a favorite on MyPsoriasisTeam. One member offered, “I suffer from mild psoriasis on my foot, and I tried this cream. It cleared it up in one day. Hoping this might help somebody.”

Another member shared, “The CeraVe Psoriasis Cream helps me more than anything.”

A third member endorsed the complete CeraVe line of products: “I’ve been using CeraVe products, and they are very good with moisturizing my extremely dry skin due to plaque psoriasis.”

Other Moisturizers

There are many other moisturizers with the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition that may be of interest. These include:

• Abundant Natural Health Ocean Soothe Lotion — Made with organic magnesium and concentrated sea salt, this lotion may help with calming inflammation and reducing other symptoms.
• Arctiva Psoriasis Cream — This is a steroid-free formula with 2 percent salicylic acid, as well as glycolipid technology and added vitamins, botanicals, and essential oils.
• Bodewell Psoriasis Calming Cream — This product contains salicylic acid and other ingredients intended to help clear skin.
• Curél — The brand’s Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer and Hydra Therapy Itch Defense are both intended to be used after bathing.
• Codex Beauty — This brand offers a toning mist, eye cream, and night cream that may appeal to individuals who would like luxury skin care products that are appropriate for psoriasis.
• Kenkoderm Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream — This vegan, steroid-free cream combines 2 percent salicylic acid and lactic acid, along with shea butter and meadowfoam seed oil.
• Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream — This face and body cream contains such ingredients as colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, allantoin, and adenosine.
• Psoriasis Honey Skin-Renewing Cream — This cream is made with 1.8 percent salicylic acid and dermatologist-tested ingredients.
• Skinfix Resurface+ KP + PsO Smoothing Body Treatment — This body cream contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids, urea, squalane, and a barrier-repair complex to help smooth and hydrate psoriasis-prone skin.
• TriDerma Psoriasis Control Cream — This cream contains salicylic acid, hemp-derived CBD, oats, shea butter, and botanical ingredients to help relieve itching, discoloration, and flaking. A version containing hemp-derived CBD is also available.

Patch Test First

Even products made for sensitive or psoriasis-prone skin can sometimes cause irritation. To lower your risk of a reaction, try patch testing a new moisturizer before using it on larger areas of your body.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following: Apply a small amount to a quarter-sized area of skin that won’t be rubbed or washed off — like the bend of your elbow or the underside of your forearm. Use the product the same way you normally would (for example, rinse it off if it’s a cleanser). Do this twice a day for up to 10 days.

If you don’t notice any discoloration, itching, or swelling after that time, it’s probably safe to use more broadly. If you do have a reaction, stop using the product and wash the area gently. You can use petroleum jelly or a cool compress to soothe your skin. For more serious or persistent reactions, check in with a dermatologist.

Find Your Team

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 133,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

What moisturizers do you use to find relief from psoriasis? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below or on MyPsoriasisTeam.