4 Essential Oils for Psoriasis: Research and Benefits

Some evidence suggests that essential oils like bergamot, lavender, rose, and tea tree oil might be helpful for psoriasis, which causes dry, scaly skin patches. These oils can relieve stress, a common trigger for psoriasis.

Keep in mind that there has been little evidence or randomized clinical trials that essential oils can entirely relieve psoriasis symptoms. Your goal may instead be to look for essential oils that calm the skin and help with discoloration, or hyperpigmentation.

A healthcare provider may advise using these oils in addition to conventional treatments, such as corticosteroids or light therapy. Read on to learn what essential oils might help manage psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to multiply quickly, causing them to build up. This causes symptoms like silvery scales and thick, red patches. Research has shown that essential oils might alleviate psoriasis symptoms if you apply them topically, or to the skin.

Essential oils have also been shown to reduce stress. Stress commonly triggers flares of psoriasis symptoms.

Essential oils might cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation in some people, especially if they are not diluted. Many essential oils should be applied with a carrier oil like jojoba, sunflower seed, avocado, or almond oil. Keep in mind that psoriasis can affect the skin barrier, which can affect how the body absorbs and reacts to essential oils. It’s possible that people with psoriasis may have an adverse reaction to essential oils.

Speak to a healthcare provider before using essential oils in your regimen to make sure they are safe and don’t interact with other medications. You may also test the essential oil on a small patch of your skin first. Some essential oils can cause allergic reactions or irritate the skin.

Bergamot

The effectiveness of bergamot oil appears to be due to 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP). This plant-based chemical compound may have anti-inflammatory properties. 5-MOP is used during psoralen plus ultraviolet-A (PUVA) phototherapy, another psoriasis treatment. 5-MOP makes skin more sun-sensitive, so you should use it with caution and avoid spending time outdoors after application.

Lavender

Lavender oil is commonly promoted for topical use. This essential oil has certain properties that help condition the skin, providing calming and hydrating benefits that improve the appearance of new or old scars. Lavender’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties can also expedite healing.

Rose Oil

Rose oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can calm redness and relieve sensitive skin. It’s very emollient, meaning it’s good for locking in moisture and hydration. Rose oil also has antibacterial properties, which may help protect skin from infection.

Tea Tree Oil

Research has shown that tea tree oil may be helpful in treating psoriasis. Tea tree oil can be helpful due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It may also help reduce scaling.

Coconut oil could also help those who have psoriasis. This gentle oil is not technically an essential oil, but it can help relieve painful scales. Coconut oil has been shown to be good for moisturizing the skin.

Another natural remedy that might offer psoriasis relief is Mahonia aquifolium, also known as berberine. Research has shown that berberine reduces inflammation, which has led to its use for skin conditions. Berberine has been shown to be helpful in improving psoriasis symptoms in several studies.

If you have psoriasis symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. They can advise medical treatments that reduce symptoms and protect against infection.

Some of the most common conventional ways to treat psoriasis include:

• Light therapy: This treatment uses ultraviolet (UV) light to alleviate symptoms.
• Pills or injections: A healthcare provider may advise these systemic (body-wide) treatments if you have moderate to severe symptoms. Pills or injections, such as biologics, target the body’s immune response.
• Topical treatments: These include creams, ointments, skin lotions, and shampoos that you apply to the skin. A healthcare provider might prescribe treatments like coal tar, corticosteroids, retinoids, or synthetic vitamin D.

Talk to a healthcare provider if you have psoriasis symptoms, including:

• Dry, itchy skin
• Silvery scales
• Thick, red patches

Let a healthcare provider know if you have arthritis symptoms, such as joint pain or swelling, along with these symptoms. Get medical attention right away if you have severe symptoms that affect most of your skin.

Essential oils, including bergamot, lavender, rose, and tea tree oil, may relieve psoriasis symptoms and reduce stress. However, more research is needed to determine how well these oils work for psoriasis.

It might be worth talking to a healthcare provider if you’re interested in trying natural remedies for psoriasis or want to know about more treatments. They can also prescribe conventional treatments like corticosteroids or light therapy.