1. Make time for bathtime

Light a candle, grab a magazine (yes, they still exist), and soak in a lukewarm bath for about 15 minutes.

Cleanse with a gentle fragrance-free body wash, and when your 15 mins are up, gently pat your skin dry to help seal in moisture. Apply a thick, derm-approved moisturizer and enjoy your newly-soothed skin.

Psst: Try adding in some colloidal oatmeal for extra itch relief.

2. Try relaxation techniques

If you feel like your psoriasis acts up when you’re stressed AF, you’re not alone. Like for many conditions, stress is a super common psoriasis trigger.

For better mental health and skin health, prioritize rest and relaxation.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends stress relief activities like:

3. Sleep soundly

According to 2012 research, sleep deprivation can fire up the inflammatory process behind psoriasis. So it’s def worth swapping late Netflix nights for deep sleep.

A 2016 review also found a link between insomnia and psoriasis, so it may not be as simple as climbing into bed earlier.

To improve your sleep, try these sleep tips:

4. Catch some rays

Letting the sun kiss your flare-ups (even your plaques) may help reduce them. Sunshine can also help ease stress and boost your mood.

Of course, layer on sensitive skin-friendly sunscreen — sunburn will definitely make your psoriasis worse.

Aim to be a sunbathing beauty for 5 to 10 mins a day. And ask your derm for specific recommendations on how much sun time is right for your psoriasis.

5. Create a psoriasis-friendly skin care routine

Stick to a gentle skin care routine using fragrance-free soaps and moisturizers that won’t irritate your sensitive skin.

The AAD recommends these symptom relief tips:

  • Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Especially after washing a psoriasis-affected area, lather up with a soothing, derm-approved, fragrance-free moisturizer. This will help reduce redness, itching, and bonus: help keep your skin healthy and glowing.
  • Cool off and relieve itchiness. OTC products with camphor or menthol can also lend tingly, cooling relief. And when you’re lounging around, try applying a cool compress to your psoriasis for relief.
  • Never pull off psoriasis scales! Use derm-approved products with salicylic acid to soften patches and then gently brush them away. If possible, consult a derm to create a well-rounded psoriasis skin care routine you’ll love.

6. Use aloe all over

Need an additional psoriasis fix beyond your moisturizer? Aloe vera isn’t a cure, but it can help ease psoriasis symptoms like redness, itching, and inflammation.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, creams with 0.5 percent aloe are ideal. And you can lather up as much as 3x a day.

7. Nosh on nourishing foods

Diet can both trigger psoriasis flares and help boost overall health to help ease symptoms.

If you’re aware of any dietary psoriasis triggers, obvi avoid ‘em. But eating more nutritious foods doesn’t have to be a chore, either. Just try to meet your veggie, fruit, and lean protein quota in a way that jibes with your tastes. Pinterest-worthy breakfast bowl, anyone?

8. Drink water

Put down the iced coffee and go chug 8 ounces of H2O. Chances are likely your body is thirsty AF and it’s affecting your skin.

So, how does drinking water help psoriasis? Dehydrated skin via lack of water is dry and sad, while hydrated skin is moisturized and happy. And moisturized skin will help alleviate dry and itchy skin from a flare.

Don’t worry, sparkling water counts!

9. Move your body

Exercise is a fab way to manage physical and mental stress and feel freaking fantastic. It may also help decrease some of psoriasis symptoms à la stress reduction.

Whether you start lifting weights, walking, or working out at home, all movement does the body good.

10. Ditch alcohol (or at least limit it)

Pass the mojito — and hold the rum, please. Try opting for mocktails instead of cocktails or enjoy a soothing herbal tea instead of a nightcap.

According to the AAD, folks with psoriasis who cut back on alcohol may experience:

  • fewer outbreaks because treatment becomes more effective
  • more remissions (aka periods without psoriasis)
  • reduced risk of getting psoriatic arthritis and fatty liver disease
  • decreased risk of liver damage from psoriasis meds

But that doesn’t mean you have to kiss your rosé romance goodbye. If you enjoy an alcoholic bevy from time to time, just keep it to a minimum and stay in tune with what might be triggering a flare.

11. Kick tabacco

Quitting smoking can reduce the incidence of psoriasis flare-ups. Bonus: It’ll also do your heart, lungs, and overall health a solid.

12. Journal daily

Unpack your Password Journal STAT!

Daily journaling is an idyllic self-care practice in general. But it also may help you reduce flare-ups by destressing through gratitude prompts and tracking your psoriasis triggers.

13. Destress with aromatherapy

Diffusing essential oils can help you bliss out — and *might* even soothe your psoriasis symptoms. Yes, we need more research to prove aromatherapy helps psoriasis, but it can def help you relax, which can indirectly help prevent flares.

Ready your diffuser and try breathing in soothing scents like lavender and peppermint.

14. Consider CBD

Real talk: There’s not enough research that CBD can really help psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. But generally, CBD tinctures, gummies, and oils have been linked to relieving stress that *might* help psoriasis flares.

Just make sure you get your docs approval first. Some products could make your psoriasis worse.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

15. Love yourself + your bod

The last thing you might feel like doing when you’re experiencing a flare is to love your skin as-is. It sounds cheesy, but some self-love may help you keep your mind off symptoms and feel more confident in your own skin.

Try some positive affirmations (“I am enough,” “I am healing,” “I love myself”) and surround yourself with people, experiences, and things you love as much as possible.

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