Soap for Psoriasis: Tar Soaps, Exfoliating, Oatmeal & More

Best Soap For Psoriasis?

It is easy to find a psoriasis soap- you just need to know what to look for. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes the skin to build up dry, red patches, which sometimes have white or silvery scales.

This dry skin can get easily irritated and infected, so the soap you choose to wash with when you have psoriasis is important.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that has no cure and can be fairly difficult to manage – especially when it comes to finding the right skin care routine.

Keeping the skin clean and hydrated can be particularly tricky, but here we share our tips on the best body soap and facial cleansers for psoriasis.

Read more about the causes of psoriasis here.

Table of contents

Best psoriasis soaps

Dermatologist recommended body wash

Best face cleanser for psoriasis

Soothing cleansers for psoriasis

Scale removing cleansers

Psoriasis face wash

Brushes for psoriasis

Body cleansers for psoriasis

Soothing cleansers for the body

Cleansers To Help Remove Dry Scales on the Body

How to Wash the Body If I Have Psoriasis

In Summary

References

What are the best soaps for psoriasis

What Is the Best Soap for Psoriasis?

First things first: you should avoid using soap for psoriasis at all costs. Soap strips the natural oils from the skin, so it is much better to use a creamy cleanser, liquid body wash or cleansing gel for your body or your face.

Soap also has a high pH which can irritate skin.

Not all soaps are bad. Irish spring is a terrible choice but a bar of Dove soap is a good choice to use if you have psoriasis. This is because Dove soap is made from a syndet which is not true soap.

Dermatologist-Recommended Body Wash For Psoriasis

Choose a body wash that won’t injure your skin barrier.

These body washes are dermatologist-approved and gentle on your skin barrier.

CeraVe Psoriasis Skin Therapy Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash

Zerafite Creamy Cleanser

Best cleansers for psoriasis

What Is the Best Cleanser for the Face If I Have Psoriasis?

Cleansers To Soothe Dry Psoriatic Skin on the Face

We prefer these soothing cleansers to wash your face when you have psoriasis:

Zerafite Creamy Cleanser- can also be used to shave the face. It is gentle enough not to irritate psoriatic skin.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

Hydrating Cleansers are a great choice to wash the face- especially if you have dryness:

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

Cleansers To Help Remove Dry Scales on the Face

If dry scales on your face are your main concern, then a hydroxyacid cleanser for the face is a good option for your morning skin care routine. (Your evening face wash should be a nonfoaming cleanser or cleansing oil listed above.) Hydroxyacid cleansers for the face are:

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Out of Stock

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Out of Stock

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Out of Stock

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

How to Wash the Face If I Have Psoriasis

After using your psoriasis cleanser, rinsing with warm water and then gently patting dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the skin dry. Avoid scrubs, exfoliators, and other friction as this can make your psoriasis worse.

Once you’ve used your psoriasis face wash, gently apply your psoriasis cream as part of your daily skincare routine.

Don;t use a facial brush or loofa when you have psoriasis

Should I Use a Face Brush If I Have Psoriasis?

You should never, ever use a face brush if you have psoriasis. A 19th-century dermatologist called Heinrich Koebner discovered a phenomenon (now known as the Koebner Phenomenon) in which the inflammation of psoriasis can appear on parts of the body that are not commonly associated with psoriasis as a result of injury or trauma.

By exfoliating the skin with scrubs or a face brush, you can actually worsen your psoriasis and make it even harder to treat – and can even lead to psoriatic arthritis. Therefore, scrubs, face brushes and loofahs should be avoided at all costs in psoriasis.

What Is the Best Psoriasis Cleanser for the Body?

Cleansers To Soothe Dry Psoriatic Skin on the Body

Do not use soap on your body. Instead, use a creamy or hydrating body cleanser. Look for cleansers with soothing fatty acids.

Cleansers To Help Remove Dry Scales on the Body

You can use hydroxyacid cleansers for the face on your body, however, hydroxyacids cleansers designed for the body may cost less because they come in larger bottles.

How to wash your body if you have psoriasis

How to Wash the Body If I Have Psoriasis

Similar to the face, you should cleanse your body using a liquid creamy psoriasis cleanser in the shower or bath. Do not use a loofah or any other kind of cleansing brush.

Rinse with warm water. Pat – don’t rub – the skin dry and apply your usual psoriasis cream to damp skin after using your psoriasis body wash.

Follow with a Barrier Repair Body Moisturizer.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

$9.99

Add to Cart

Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm

$20.99

Add to Cart

Bioderma Atoderm Creme Ultra-Nourishing Moisturizing Cream

$17.99

Add to Cart

Zerafite Ultra Rich Body Cream Barrier Repair Moisturizer

$40.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream

$15.99

Add to Cart

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream

$35.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

$9.99

Add to Cart

Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm

$20.99

Add to Cart

Bioderma Atoderm Creme Ultra-Nourishing Moisturizing Cream

$17.99

Add to Cart

Zerafite Ultra Rich Body Cream Barrier Repair Moisturizer

$40.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream

$15.99

Add to Cart

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream

$35.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

$9.99

Add to Cart

Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm

$20.99

Add to Cart

Bioderma Atoderm Creme Ultra-Nourishing Moisturizing Cream

$17.99

Add to Cart

Zerafite Ultra Rich Body Cream Barrier Repair Moisturizer

$40.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream

$15.99

Add to Cart

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream

$35.00

Add to Cart

In Summary

Keeping your skin clean and hydrated when you have psoriasis needn’t be tricky, but selecting the right cleanser for your psoriasis and Baumann Skin Type is essential. Follow cleansing with your usual psoriasis cream and a personalized skincare routine.