I’m incredibly grateful for modern medicine—it’s saved me from so many painful health issues.
That said, scalp psoriasis is tricky. A lot of the long-term medications on the market just aren’t ideal for your overall health, so I started researching more natural options to help manage symptoms. This blend isn’t a cure, but it has seriously reduced the burning, itching and pain I deal with on a regular basis.
A few notes before you dive in:
- You can tweak the amounts, but start small and increase slowly.
- Always do a patch test first.
- Only buy from high-quality, trusted suppliers. Grocery store essential oils (yes, even from Whole Foods) won’t cut it. I recommend Aromatics International for essential oils and Making Cosmetics Inc. for liquid salicylic acid. Want more on why sourcing matters? Check out this post.
- Several of the recommendations contain antifungal properties. That’s because all humans naturally have fungi and yeast on their skin. When psoriasis causes the skin to crack and triggers an immune response, it can create an environment where these organisms grow more rapidly—contributing to the intense burning and itching that often come with the condition.
- I also use this recipe for bug bites and itchy rashes.
- How did I pick these ingredients? I read a lot of academic studies. It was slow going but worth it!
Here’s what I use and why:
Jojoba Oil, 2 tbsp: A lightweight carrier oil that closely mimics your skin’s natural oils—so it absorbs really well without making your scalp greasy. It dilutes the essential oils to make them safe to use.
Rosemary Essential Oil, 8 drops: Soothes itching and irritation.
Turmeric Essential Oil, 5 drops: Powerful anti-inflammatory.
Salicylic Acid (liquid form), 1/4 tsp: Gently breaks down and loosens psoriasis scales.
(Optional) Tamanu Oil, 1 tbsp: Another carrier oil, rich and nutty-smelling, great for skin healing.
(Optional) Cedarwood Essential Oil, 5 drops: Thought to support skin health and calm inflammation.
(Optional) German Chamomile Essential Oil, 3 drops: Deeply calming and anti-inflammatory.
(Optional) Tea Tree Essential Oil, 4 drops: Antimicrobial and soothing for irritated skin.
(Optional) Rose & Geranium Essential Oils, 4 drops: Good anti-inflammatory, according to some studies, and adds a lovely scent.
(Optional) Neem Oil, 1 tsp: Super effective anti-fungal but has a strong smell!
Store the liquid in a glass jar in the fridge if you can. (Tinted glass is ideal if you have it, but not essential.) It melts quickly, and the cool temperature feels amazing on psoriasis flare-ups. I use a paintbrush to apply it to my scalp. Most times, I put it on before bed and rinse it out in the morning, but I also do frequent spot treatments and just keep it on until my next wash.
Image Credit: Christin Hume
Description: photo of two hands, one holding a small glass amber dropper and dropping essential oil onto the palm of the other hand. black background.