Psoriasis can occur at any age in men and women, affecting approximately 450,000 Australians. As an autoimmune condition, psoriasis can be managed, however, it does not have a known cure.

Causing itchiness and discomfort, psoriasis presents itself in small or large dry, flaky patches around the body, and can have an impact on overall self-esteem and quality of life. Because psoriasis can be extremely sensitive and easily aggravated, finding ways to manage psoriasis naturally is important for those looking for a nourishing remedy without further irritating skin with harsh chemicals.

What Is Psoriasis and What Causes It?

Although it appears as a skin condition, psoriasis is an auto-immune condition that causes the skin production process to be fast-tracked. As a result, white blood cells will attack the skin cells in an attempt to fight against bacteria and infection. This will cause the skin production process to react and rapidly speed up and over-activate.

Usually, the skin production of cells begins underneath the skin and slowly ascends to the skin's surface, eventually falling off. This process occurs over a one month period, however, psoriasis speeds up this process causing it to occur over a few days. The fast build-up of skin cells results in flakey, scaling patches on the skin’s surface.

This is often accompanied by extreme dryness, inflammation, redness and can often crack, bleed and cause irritation. Psoriasis can appear on hands, feet, neck and face, while less common areas may appear on fingernails, mouth and around the genital and groin area.

Types of Psoriasis

There are five different types of psoriasis that can occur either during childhood or adulthood:

Plaque psoriasis:
This is the most common, causing large or small flakey patches around the body, including neck, scalp, face and elbows.

Guttate psoriasis:
This is more common in childhood, causing small pink spots around the torso, arms and legs.

Pustular psoriasis:
Is more common in adulthood, resulting in pus-filled blisters and widespread inflamed or red skin.

Inverse psoriasis:
Commonly flares up around skin folds, armpits and around the groin presenting as bright, shiny, red and inflamed skin.

Erythrodermic psoriasis:
This is very a rare form of psoriasis causing the skin to appear sunburnt and fall off in large patches or sheets. Erythrodermic psoriasis is known to cause fever and serious illness so it is important to seek medical attention if a flare-up occurs.

8 Natural Ingredients for Psoriasis

Natural ingredients can help ease psoriasis symptoms and are known to hydrate, moisturise, protect the skin’s barrier and soothe dryness and inflammation. Here are eight natural ingredients that are known to help with psoriasis:

Argan Oil

Argan oil is rich in fatty acids, Vitamin E and antioxidants, making it a nurturing ingredient to moisturise and protect the skin from sun damage. Not only can it improve skin metabolism, but argan oil is known to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to calm inflammation, dryness, swelling, itchiness and redness.

The nourishing properties of argan oil also protect hair from damage and heat while moisturising the scalp.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids such as linoleic and palmitic acids for intense nourishment and hydration to the skin while protecting against radical damage and sun exposure. As a natural antioxidant, sesame oil also fights against damage to the skin cell structure, helping to reduce flakiness and soothe dryness.

Packed with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, sesame oil also helps ease inflammation and swelling while fighting against viral properties that can cause hair loss and infection

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a rich antioxidant known to reduce inflammation, repair damage to the scalp and hair follicles, making it a source of intense nourishment for scalp care while promoting hair growth.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is packed with fatty acids, paired with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties to reduce the appearance of scarring, build moisture retention, and protect the skin barrier. Because of this, shea butter is a popular option for those with psoriasis because of its soothing abilities to calm inflammation and relieve itching.

As a natural antioxidant, shea butter is packed with Vitamins A and E, working wonders on skin elasticity and protecting against radical damage while absorbing rapidly into the skin. This not only repairs the epidermal barriers but also boosts collagen production and provides fast relief for irritation and itching.

Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn dates back to Chinese remedies due to its high concentration of omega-3 and omega-7 fatty acids, and Vitamins A, C, and E. Filled with anti-inflammatory properties, sea buckthorn is great for soothing inflammation, reducing redness and scabbing while hydrating dry, scaling skin.

In fact, a 2019 study found that sea buckthorn extract improved psoriasis lesions in patients when applied twice daily over a four week period, and continued to do so after an eight week follow up. Patients also reported higher levels of quality of life during the same time period.

Camellia Tea Oil

Camellia tea oil is packed with fatty acids, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-aging properties as has been used by Japanese Geishas for centuries. As a natural antioxidant, camellia tea oil is great for restoring skin elasticity and improving skin smoothness. It is also known to act as a protectant against radical damage while soothing broken, dry and flakey skin, perfect for calming psoriasis symptoms.

Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp seed oil has extremely high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, hemp seed oil is also great for strengthening skin against bacterial infections. With its rich fatty acid content, hemp seed oil also has a high level of linoleic acid, providing a nutrient-rich treatment for skin production and moisture retention.

Jojoba Oil

Known to prevent psoriasis flare-ups and offer pain relief, jojoba oil has natural anti-inflammatory abilities and can increase moisture levels in inflamed and broken skin. In fact, a 2012 study found jojoba an effective ingredient to actively calm skin lesions associated with dry, flakey skin and redness while strengthening the skin barrier.

Discover Black Chicken Remedies Natural Body Balms & Hair Treatments

Black Chicken Remedies offer natural remedies uniquely formulated to all skin types. Perfect for sensitive, dry, irritated or inflamed skin, Black Chicken Remedies provide natural body balms and hair treatments to hydrate, moisturise and soothe your skin and scalp without the use of harsh chemicals.

Balm of Ages Body Balm

What is Balm of Ages?

Our Balm of Ages is perfect for soothing and nourishing sensitive, inflamed and irritated skin, making it perfect for those looking to ease psoriasis symptoms naturally. With a powerful combination of shea butter, sea buckthorn, camellia tea oil, jojoba oil and hemp seed oil, the Balm of Ages repairs skin damage, protects against environmental damage and promotes healing.

Packed with anti-inflammatory abilities and fatty acids, our Body of Ages balm is perfect to treat your skin to improve skin elasticity, build and retain moisture, and actively calm redness and inflammation.

How to Apply Balm of Ages

To apply for psoriasis, rub a small amount onto your hands until it melts then apply to skin and any areas of concern, including face, elbows, behind the knees, and arms.

For more information on how to apply Balm of Ages, check out our video guide.

HairOM™ - Restorative Hair and Scalp Treatment

What is HairOM? 

Our award-winning HairOM oil hydrates and soothes your scalp and hair in a root to tip restorative treatment with a custom formula of botanical and essential oils. Combining jojoba oil, argan oil, hemp seed oil, Vitamin E and sesame oil, HairOM is full of fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties to moisturise and protect your hair and scalp. HairOM oil also repairs damage to hair follicles while strengthening hair and encourages hair thickness.

As a natural remedy, the HairOM oil eases dryness, soothes scalp irritations, promotes blood circulation and provides a nutrient rich formula to promote hair growth. Packed with Vitamins E, A and D and HairOM oil also protects against bacteria, making it perfect to fight against skin conditions such as psoriasis.

How to Apply HairOM:

To apply for psoriasis:

1. Apply 1 -2 teaspoons of oil into your palm and massage into your scalp before working the rest into your hair through to the ends.
2. Wrap your hair in a towel or tie up for one hour (or more if possible)
3. Wash out any unabsorbed treatment with your chosen shampoo

Use twice a week for optimal results.

For more information on how to apply HairOM Oil, check out our video guide.