We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or other tangible benefit. Optum Store, Optum Perks, and Healthline Media are owned by RVO Health. Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Was this helpful?
prescription medications
CeraVe
  • Many contain trusted itch-relief ingredients like pramoxine hydrochloride.
  • Moisturizing ingredients like shea butter are also present in CeraVe formulas.
  • Ceramides are used in CeraVe products. They help repair the skin’s natural lipid barrier, which is typically doesn’t function properly in people with eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
  • Salicylic acid, a keratolytic, can help slough off dry skin from psoriasis plaques, reducing itching. It’s the active ingredient in CeraVe SA Cleanser.
recent study

Price guide

Most CeraVe products are quite affordable for most people, and they can be found at major drugstores.

However, some can be a bit pricey to pay for at once, especially items that come in larger containers like the Renewing SA Cleanser and specialty products like the Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen.

That said, sometimes a single tube of sunscreen can last a whole summer — or multiple summers — depending how much you get outside.

The prices of the products in this article are broken down, per the following key:

$ = under $1 per ounce $$ = $1–$2 per ounce $$$ = over $2 per ounce

Seal of Recognition from the National Psoriasis Foundationshould avoid skin care products

Best for itch relief

Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream

  • Price: $$
  • Fragrance: no
  • Key ingredients: pramoxine hydrochloride, niacinamide

Pros

  • In addition to expert moisturizing ingredients, this product contains an anti-itch ingredient to calm skin irritation.
  • Users with psoriasis say it provides significant relief from itching.
  • It lives up to its promise of lasting 8 hours.

Cons

  • It is expensive compared to similar products.
  • Some reviews say the itch relief isn’t strong enough.
Was this helpful?

Best face wash for psoriasis

Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

  • Price: $
  • Fragrance: no
  • Key ingredients: ceramides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid

Pros

  • While prices vary, the product is generally affordable when broken down per ounce.
  • The formula also helps remove makeup.
  • It’s designed to help maintain the skin’s natural moisture.

Cons

  • Some users report it irritates sensitive skin.
  • Some reviews say it feels more “nondrying” than “hydrating.”
Was this helpful?

Best for exfoliation

Renewing SA Cleanser

  • Price: $$
  • Fragrance: no
  • Key ingredients: salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
commonly prescribed

Pros

  • It does not leave skin feeling “tight” as other salicylic acid (SA) products can.
  • SA can also help control oil.
  • Many users find it’s gentler on their skin than most salicylic acid cleansers.

Cons

  • The SA in this product can dry out skin.
Was this helpful?

Best moisturizer for psoriasis

Healing Ointment

  • Price: $$
  • Fragrance: no
  • Key ingredients: petrolatum, hyaluronic acid

Pros

  • It has a slightly lighter formula than other petrolatum-based ointments.
  • The ceramides and hyaluronic acid give skin added moisture.
  • A little goes a long way, making it a good bang for your buck.

Cons

  • Some users find regular petroleum jelly is just as effective.
  • The texture may feel greasy at first as it sinks into the skin.
Was this helpful?

Best body wash for psoriasis

Psoriasis Cleanser

  • Price: $$
  • Fragrance: no
  • Key ingredients: ceramides, urea, alpha-hydroxy acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid

Pros

  • This product is specifically formulated to treat and calm psoriasis symptoms.
  • CeraVe Psoriasis Cleanser is officially recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation as an effective product.
  • It can be used on the scalp, a place where people with psoriasis may be prone to developing plaques.

Cons

  • The product consistency is thin, making it hard to apply evenly.
  • The product is unscented, but reviewers say it has a strong chemical smell, which is often attributable to urea or lactic acid.
Was this helpful?

Best sunscreen for psoriasis

Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen

  • Price: $$$
  • Fragrance: no
  • Key ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
improves the appearancelotion formulation for the face

Pros

  • This is a noncomedogenic sunscreen, meaning it will not block pores.
  • CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen is reef-safe, so it does not contain ingredients that cause damage to coral reefs.
  • The facial version has a “universal tint,” which may help reduce the white cast sunscreens sometimes leave.

Cons

  • On a per ounce basis, this is the most expensive item on our list.
  • Reviewers say the regular sunscreen leaves a white cast on darker skin tones.
Was this helpful?
Product Price per ounce Product type Key ingredients
Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream$$lotionpramoxine hydrochloride
Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser$gentle face washhyaluronic acid
Renewing SA Cleanser$$face/body washsalicylic acid
Healing Ointment$$ointmentpetrolatum
Psoriasis Cleanser$$face/body wash with mild chemical exfoliationsalicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid
Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen$$$sunscreentitanium and zinc oxide
plaque psoriasis
talk with your healthcare professional

Is CeraVe Dermatologist recommended?

Can the CeraVe lotion be used in place of the face cream?

What other CeraVe products should be used in addition to cream for psoriasis?

Jody Amable is a freelance writer and editor from the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in music and subcultures. Her work has been seen in KQED Arts, Atlas Obscura, and local weeklies.