Why You Should Use a Psoriasis Cream with Salicylic Acid

When you visit your local pharmacy you will notice there are a number of choices when it comes to a psoriasis cream. They will be available as creams, gels and lotions with various prices. You may see some priced at $6.99 and others priced as high as $29.99. When it comes to which product is right for you don’t let price make your decision. Often you will only get an ounce or less of psoriasis cream for the $6.99 price but you might get four ounces of psoriasis cream for the $29.99 price. When you price compare the products by ounce they all pretty close. To determine which psoriasis cream is right for you we need to discuss the active ingredients. The FDA currently recognizes two popular ingredients for use in a psoriasis cream.

Psoriasis Cream with Coal Tar

Coal Tar is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Coal is actually used in a lot of skincare products and has become quite popular in several skin care lines. However, when coal tar is used in a psoriasis cream it must be used at a specific concentration to make it effective for the treatment of psoriasis.

When used in higher concentrations coal tar can often have a very strong smell that many people dislike. However, for some people if this is the only ingredient that works for their psoriasis they will gladly deal with the smell just to reduce the symptoms of their psoriasis. If you wish to avoid a smelly product you may want to start with a salicylic acid based psoriasis cream.

Psoriasis Cream with Salicylic Acid

When you hear the word acid most people immediately think it is going to burn or be dangerous. However, salicylic acid is actually the same ingredient that is found in aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid designed to help the body more rapidly remove dead skin cells. It is very effective and can be found in some of the finest skincare products in the world. However, like coal tar, salicylic acid must be used at a higher concentration to make it effective in a psoriasis cream. Since salicylic acid has virtually no odor it does not cause the cream to smell. Most people will try a salicylic acid psoriasis cream first for the treatment of their skin condition.

Not All Salicylic Acid Psoriasis Creams are equal

Since the FDA has developed specific standards for the salicylic acid levels in a psoriasis cream most over the counter products start on an equal playing field. However, it is the other ingredients that can really take a psoriasis cream to the next level. After the active ingredients in your psoriasis cream removes the dry dead cells many people are left with red blotches on their skin. The body needs the right vitamins, minerals and proteins so that it can heal and look normal again. Many psoriasis creams will add soothing aloe or vitamin e (tocopherol) to help keep the skin moist. In addition, vitamins such as B, C and D may be added for their beneficial antioxidant properties.

Psoriasis cream using food based ingredients

There are even some psoriasis creams that will source all of this nourishment naturally using food based ingredients such as eggs or plant based essential oils. It is very important to look for more than just salicylic acid and coal tar when you search for the product that is right for you. Be sure to look for the ingredients necessary to help your skin after the dry cells have been removed and this will be the best psoriasis cream.