Best Over The Counter Shampoo & Conditioner For Psoriasis

Best Over The Counter Shampoo And Conditioner For Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes chronic inflammation and scaling. It occurs when your immune system triggers a faster than normal skin cell production resulting in scaling and inflammation. At least 50% of all psoriasis cases develop on the scalp. Using the best over the counter shampoo and conditioner for psoriasis can help reduce the rate at which your skin turns over by inhibiting your dermal inflammatory and immune response.

However, it is important to note that shampoos only help in the short term. If you are looking for a long-term solution, a natural remedy is the best answer. In this article, we list the best over the counter shampoo for psoriasis, their attributes and the ingredients you should look out for when choosing one.

OTC Shampoo For Psoriasis

Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula

This shampoo is highly recommended by dermatologists as it starts working right away in treating your psoriasis. It helps to resolve the stubborn itchiness and the flaking on the scalp. Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo is made with an amber formula which helps to hydrate your scalp and hair. The cooling menthol helps to increase blood flow to your scalp to reduce any inflammation and improve hair growth.

Honey Skin Organics Gentle Restorative Shampoo

This shampoo contains natural organic ingredients like aloe vera, citrus, coconut oil and Manuka honey-a potent medicinal honey. Its ingredients are formulated with a 5.5 pH balance. This shampoo clears out and soothes sore, dry skin and dandruff. Since it is gentler than most psoriasis shampoos, it is safe even for baby’s hair. However, it may not be as effective as you may need. It is highly recommended for less severe cases of inflammation and for those who are just starting to solve their psoriasis problem.

Dermasolve Psoriasis Shampoo

Dermasolve psoriasis shampoo is an over the counter brand. It is a richly moisturizing and conditioning shampoo that helps to eliminate irritation, redness, scalp itching, dryness, and flaking. It contains 3% salicylic acid, which aids in exfoliating the flaky skin build up.

Medicated And Coal Tar Shampoos For Psoriasis

Medicated Shampoos

The active ingredients in medicated psoriasis shampoos include salicylic acid, clobetasol propionate, ketoconazole (an antifungal medication), zinc pyrithione, and Blue Lagoon algae. Salicylic medicated shampoos help to shed off the dead skin, to soften, lift and get rid of the scales caused by scalp psoriasis.

Coal Tar Shampoos

As the name suggests, the most active element in this product is coal tar – a black, thick and odorous byproduct of coal. These shampoos have been used to treat scalp psoriasis for more than 100 years. It usually includes other ingredients like coconut oil, sulfur or salicylic acid. Note that some coal tar psoriasis shampoos have a strong scent.

Coal tar shampoo works by:

  • Soothing irritation
  • Slowing down the fast growth of skin cells
  • Softening the scales and crusting of your scalp
  • Killing bacteria that cause scalp psoriasis
  • Helping restore your skin’s health

Best Over The Counter Shampoo For Psoriasis

The concentration of coal tar shampoos varies significantly. As you would expect, a higher concentration means stronger effects. However, the FDA allows only 5% tar concentration to be sold over the counter since the extremely high content may be carcinogenic.

There are numerous brands for each of the two types of psoriasis shampoos on the market. Some of these shampoos contain higher concentration levels of the active ingredients compared to others.

MG217 Psoriasis Medicated Conditioning Coal Tar

This shampoo is recommended for fighting itching, irritation, scaling, redness, and dandruff. It contains 3% coal tar, which helps to slow down the excessive production of skin cells. It has a mild herbal scent and does not weigh down your hair when treating your condition.

Denorex, Therapeutic, 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

Therapeutic Denorex 2-in1 shampoo contains high concentration levels of coal tar and treats scalp psoriasis exceptionally well. This shampoo will clear out the flaking, redness, and itchiness and minimize reoccurrence of the condition. Since it is highly potent, you should expect to see results in less than one week from the time you begin using it.

PC Tar Shampoo

This is another effective shampoo for treating psoriasis. It helps to manage the redness, itchiness, irritating scalp and dandruff. It also contains coal tar, which helps to clear up the irritation and slow down the reoccurrence of psoriasis.

Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo + Conditioner

This shampoo is specially formulated to provide maximum relief from itching, as well as control the buildup of flakes. Vitamin B5 and Zinc are just some of the few ingredients that help ease your pain, redness, flaking, and itching. This shampoo moisturizes your scalp and helps prevent psoriasis recurrence. The formula is not greasy and has no artificial scents or dyes.

Psoriatrax Coal Tar Shampoo

This is a potent coal tar shampoo that is profoundly effective in treating scalp psoriasis. Psoriatrax Coal Tar shampoo contains high concentrations of coal tar compared to other over the counter medicated shampoos. If you want to manage your condition, fast and efficiently, this is the product for you. It also works efficiently with verified long-term results.

Due to its strong nature, you are advised to conduct a patch test on a small area to ensure that you not allergic to the shampoo. You can count on it to clear out your psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and even preventing it from reoccurring.

HHP Psoriasis Shampoo Treatment

This shampoo works to help soothe the burning sensation and itchiness of a dry scalp, psoriasis and any other skin conditions. It can be used as both a shampoo and a body wash. It contains jojoba and emu oils, which make it work well for moisturizing and hydrating your scalp and hair. It is highly effective at reducing flaking, dryness, redness, bumps, sores, and dandruff. HHP psoriasis shampoo is gently and mildly scented.

Home Health Medicated Scalp Shampoo and Body Wash

This shampoo can be used to treat psoriasis wherever it may occur in your body. One of its key medicinal ingredients is the salicylic acid, although in a smaller dose than most other shampoos. Other natural ingredients include aloe vera and carrot seed oil. It also has a pleasant lemon like smell. This shampoo relieves the symptoms of itchy, flaky scalp, redness and excessive scalp irritation. Since it is a gentle formula, it is highly recommended for those with delicate skin.

Choosing a Psoriasis Shampoo

According to the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance, people with scalp psoriasis may need to apply psoriasis shampoo for up to 8 weeks before they can see any significant change. Additionally, you will need to use the shampoo every two to three weeks to keep psoriasis at bay. Since psoriasis can be quite unpredictable, a product that works for someone else may not work for you. If you begin using coal tar or medicated scalp psoriasis shampoo, and you find that it is not working, consider talking to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a stronger formula that is best suited for your condition, or suggestive alternative treatment options.

My Personal Experience With Over The Counter Psoriasis Shampoos

The last time I used over the counter shampoos for my scalp psoriasis was back in 2009 when I was first trying to figure out the best natural treatments for psoriasis. These days, when I stick to the Smart Psoriasis Diet Plan, my scalp psoriasis stays in check.

However, I can recommend using Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula for mild scalp psoriasis (if your scalp psoriasis is moderate to severe, or if the original formula doesn’t work, use the T/Gel extra strength version). I know many people do not like the ingredients of some of these products, but I see using these products as a short-term measure while you start incorporating a healthy diet and lifestyle. Once you start seeing the benefits of the change in diet, you slowly phase out the non-natural products.

Before long, you will be able to discard all chemically formulated products and rely on natural treatments for scalp psoriasis.

DISCLAIMER

1. The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

2. Packages and prices might be different if purchasing outside USA.

3. Smart Psoriasis Diet will not be held responsible for any product information and ingredients, or any ingredient changes of this product, or any product our company carries.

4.The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Information about each product is taken from the labels of the products or from the manufacturer's advertising material.

John Redfern