VMV Hypoallergenics Seasonal Care Package for psoriasis
No need to neglect your psoriasis when you’re out of town. VMV Hypoallergenics’ Seasonal Care Package makes it easier than ever to take great care of your skin on the road. This handy dandy kit contains travel-sized versions of some of our favorite products, including the Essence Clark Wash Hair + Body “Big Softie” Shampoo, Know-It-Oil moisturizer for severely dry skin and Armada Post Procedure Barrier Cream 50+ sun + light screen. Of course, we suggest investing in the full-size versions for home too. (vmvhypoallergenics.com, $20)
Environ Derma-Lac Lotion
Dealing with dry, scaly or cracked skin? No problemo. This medicated, all-over body lotion works to soften skin and deeply moisturize it so psoriasis sufferers can finally get some much-needed relief. It’s formulated with ammonium lactate, lactic acid and urea to help exfoliate and even out your skin tone, resulting in a brighter, more resilient and radiant appearance (plus an infinitely happier you!). (dermaconcepts.com, $64)
Psorzema Body Wash
When in doubt, turn to a product you can truly trust and that was literally made for your skin: Psorzema’s Body Wash. This stuff is 100 percent vegan, paraben and sulfate-free and can be used on your entire body (including your face and scalp) to gently slough away scaly skin and sooth any accompanying itchiness, redness or irritation. It contains a ton of good-for-you ingredients as well, such as neem and bearberry leaf extract, to fight inflammation, hyperpigmentation and to totally rebalance your skin. (dermae.com, $12)
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Just as its name suggests, this thick and rich moisturizing cream is like intense therapy for your skin. It helps heal and relieve symptoms like dry, flaky skin, and after only two weeks of twice daily application, participants in an independent trial study saw a drastic improvement in skin hydration of 169 percent. Feel free to use it on both your body and face. It’s allergy-tested, paraben free and perfectly suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. (Firstaidbeauty.com, $28)
skinnyskinny Neem with Tea Tree
and Lavender Organic Soap
Regular soap just not cutting it? We feel your pain. That’s why we highly recommend skinnyskinny’s Neem with Tea Tree and Lavender Organic Soap to fend off any flare-ups and to keep your psoriasis in check. Neem oil is proven to alleviate a wide variety of skin conditions (including psoriasis), while tea tree oil treats scaly skin and lavender essential oil reduces redness. (skinnyskinny.com, $10)
What is plaque psoriasis?
According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in the Department of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition where your immune system basically gets angry at your skin.
OK, so what are the symptoms?
Patients typically develop red, scaly plaques (patches) on the elbows, knees and scalp. Rarely can psoriasis be widespread or affect areas like the nails and genitals, notes Zeichner.
Other symptoms to watch out for include:
- Dry, cracked or flaky skin
- Redness, itchiness and/or soreness of skin
- Bleeding when skin scales are picked or scraped off
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