Essential Guide to Psoriasis

This guide offers information and advice on psoriasis. We look at what psoriasis is and ways in which you can help to treat psoriasis including changes to your diet. Finally we look at ways in which switching to a natural, organic skin care range, rich in active natural ingredients and plant actives can help to soothe skin that is prone to psoriasis.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is characterised by raised circular plaques or patches of pink flaky skin, especially on the elbows, knees and scalp, although it can affect any part of the body. The exact cause is unknown but it is thought that in psoriasis new skin cells are produced many times faster than normal, resulting in a build-up of thick scales of dead skin. This may be an auto-immune response, possible following bacterial or viral infection, or due to environmental factors. Flare-ups can be aggravated or triggered by medication, excess alcohol, obesity, too much or too little sunlight, poor health, injury, trauma, stress, cold and damp.

Ways to treat psoriasis
Treatment regimes that work well for one person may not help another, but some basic tips are beneficial for most people.

◦ It is generally accepted that there is a link between psoriasis and the nervous system, and managing stress levels, for example by learning some good relaxation techniques and getting a good night's sleep, will usually help.

◦ Using only natural fibres such as cotton and silk clothing and bed linen will help to reduce irritation.

◦ Psoriasis is often improved by moderate exposure to sunlight. Apply a hydrating moisturiser before using a sun lotion. Some sunscreens block pores and aggravate itching and flaking, so choose natural, organic lotions and avoid the sun when it is at its strongest (between 11am and 3pm).

Natural skin care for psoriasis
We offer natural and organic skin care products that are suitable for skin that may be prone to psoriasis. Offering intense skin hydration and made with balancing plant oils and extracts, but with no harsh chemicals, they are much gentler on sensitive skin than many mainstream brands.
A good place to start is Miracle Balm™ - our multi-purpose best-seller!  As the experts in sensitive skin, we formulate all of our products with delicate skin and allergies in mind, including eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Our scent-free products are rich in natural plant actives to restore, protect and maintain your skin's natural barriers. The result is healthy balanced skin and it's the only result that matters! Cleansing is just as important and our soap-free completely pure and natural cleansing bars are the answer! 

Diet and psoriasis
Psoriasis has been linked with consumption of acid-forming foods and the recirculation of toxins from the intestinal tract. Foods suspected of aggravating psoriasis include animal fats, acids, spices, salt and stimulants such as alcohol, tea, coffee and soft drinks. Increasing your intake of essential fatty acids can often help. Another cause may be overgrowth of the fungal infection Candida albicans. Removing sugars, refined starches, alcohol and yeast-based foods from the diet is worth exploring. A switch to a more alkaline diet and detoxifying your intestines can aid the absorption of nutrients, enhance immunity and improve health.

Cleansing the colon, for example with high colonic irrigation, changing to a diet based on cleansing foods and supplementing with probiotics, has shown remarkable results for many psoriasis sufferers. Combining this with a high-fibre diet helps eliminate intestinal toxins and provides an environment that allows beneficial probiotic bacteria to thrive.

Psoriasis skin care tips

◦ Avoid harsh household products, biological washing powders, fabric conditioners, drying alcohol (ethyl alcohol/ethanol), foaming agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and products containing perfume and colouring.  We do not use any of these harsh ingredients

◦ If you suffer from psoriasis of the scalp, take your own brand of gentle shampoo and conditioner when you visit the hairdressers to avoid irritation from branded products. Shampoos containing Bromelain, a protein digesting enzyme found in Pineapple, break down excess dead skin cells, reduce inflammation and calm the immune response

◦ Use only gentle, natural skin care products. Look for those containing Jojoba esters and plant Squalane to restore moisture and sebum balance, Chickweed to help relieve itching, Perilla oil and Shea butter to moisturise and soothe irritation, Chamomile and Calendula for their anti-inflammatory and healing action, and the skin-soothing herb Marshmallow. 

◦ Apply body butter, such as shea butter or coconut oil (solid form) before and after bathing to soothe and moisturise your skin. We offer custom-made treatments for various conditions.

◦ Treat yourself to an Epsom Salt or Dead Sea salt bath. Dead Sea mud can also be used as a body treatment. Try our Mineral-rich Mud with soothing Lavender.

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