My Getting Older With Psoriatic Disease Skincare Routine

By Diane T

2 min read

At any age a skincare routine is important. But as we aged whether you stay at home or go out is very important. Even going to the store you need to take the time to take care of your delicate skin. Put something on it.

I am 65 ½ now and taking very good care of my skin is a necessary routine. I have had severe psoriatic disease for decades, but dealing with PsA has had its challenges on my skin. It was taking a toll on me. I’ve had to change my routine several times. The items I was using just weren’t cutting it anymore.

What part of my skincare routine has had to change?

I had to discover a new skincare routine. Gentleness and care became my priority and I had to find products that wouldn’t do me harm. Did you know there can be chemicals in creams that can affect our medications?

When I was talking to one of my doctors he told me that I couldn’t use just anything on my skin with everything that was already going on with my PsA and Pso. So using old products for my skin was not something that I found wise.

As I’m getting older, it seems my skin has become more sensitive so using products with chemicals and fragrances is a big no for me.

How have I changed my skincare products?

I have to be very careful about what I used on my face. I looked for gentle face cleansers which don’t have any harsh chemicals in them. This is something you can talk to your healthcare team about also.

Sad, but true, my skin has become more dry and flaky over the years. I have to use a moisturizer right after cleaning it. This helps rejuvenate my skin. Try to find one that promises more hydration and makes your skin feel smooth and silky.

I was a big fan of exfoliants for a while. Most of the ones I was using had harsh chemicals in them and using scrubs was not good for me. This is something to talk to your doctors about also.

I have had to use sunscreens because of my condition. Most of the ones I used were a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen or you can use any of your favorite brands.

How have my baths changed

We all know we have to do things to soothe our bodies. If you are already taking warm baths to ease your muscle pain and soothe those sore joints, this is good. If you don’t do this already, make it a part of your daily routine.

I add Epsom salts and sometimes oatmeal to my water to relax my body, but always remember that our skin is very sensitive so consult with your health care team before starting anything new.

At the end of the day, we just need something to calm our inflammation and the affected areas on our skin. I’m a big believer in working with our doctors to get the right result. So visiting your healthcare team is always a good idea in the end. We are all in this together.

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SavannahS Member
I have PsA without Pso. But I have very dry skin and it gets worse as I get older. I was baby body wash as it is super gentle on the skin. I do a full body scrub with a brush while in the bath. I'm a larger person so it always kinda reminds me of when zookeepers scrub the elephants and rhinos with wire brushes. Then I cover myself in moisturizer. I use lubriderm for extra dry skin. I'm not the best at remembering my sun screen or even my facial moisturizer, but I try.
1. ClairG Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="SavannahS" user-id="8591443"/> It sounds like you make a lot of effort. That is for sure. You should be proud of yourself. you could also look into using a bath oil to help the skin moisturize a little more. I recently bought a facial moisturizer with sunblock in it, and I have to set an alarm, otherwise, I also forget. One alarm goes off in the morning for meds and moisturiser and the same at night. - Clair ( team member)
2. Diane T Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="SavannahS" user-id="8591443"/> , I got severe psoriasis at age 5. My skin has been super dry my whole life. My parents used to put cow salve on me because my skin cracked so badly. I smiled when you talked about the scrub brush. I used one every day. When I was younger I poured a bottle of baby oil in the tub. I fell and hit my head, so I no longer put oil in my water, not even body wash. I am a big fan of Vaseline and baby oil. I have been using these together for years. Does your skin crack at all? Thanks for sharing this information.
AlisaLavine Member
I have Sjogren's on top of PsA. Sjogren's is a systemic autoimmune disease that attacks the glands in the body that produce moisture. Severe eye and mouth dryness are usually the first symptoms that people with Sjogren's experience. Dry skin is also a symptom and boy, do I ever have dry skin. I can't use most lotions for dry skin because I've developed an allergy to petroleum jelly/petrolatum which is in every lotion for extra dry skin. As I've gotten older and my autoimmunity has increased, I've become prone to rashes. For several years I tried EVERYTHING to help with the dryness that also didn't irritate my mild psoriasis. I eventually landed on two products for my skin that I can't live without: pure shea butter and 100% lanolin. In the summer shea butter is enough to keep my skin from itching, peeling and cracking/tearing. But as the air dries out from cold temperatures I use the shea butter and then lock it in with a layer of lanolin. And yes, I use both of these super heavy moisturizers on my face and reapply a couple of times a day! My skin is in the best shape it's been in decades. The one downside is that these two products are sticky, goopy and tend to get on everything. But they stop the itching so I don't care. The mess is worth it and can be lessened by lightly patting treated skin with a towel or napkin to pick up any extra product. Both of these natural moisturizers can be found on Amazon with very moderate price tags. I get them in good sized tubs for less than $10 each. 
1. Diane T Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="AlisaLavine" user-id="6222588"/> , Thanks for sharing some great information. My niece has had Sjogren's for over 20 years now. I don't think she's ever tried Shea butter. She's always saying how dry her skin is. I am a big fan of heavy moisturizers. I have ruined so many clothes because of all the stains. I am with you, anything that takes away the itch is worth it. I am going to share this information with my niece. Vaseline doesn't help her either. Do you have any special products that you use on your scalp for dryness?
AlisaLavine Member
I do! And you'll probably laugh because it's been around forever but it's a fantastic product. I have introduced several people to it and they are hooked. It's Palmer's cocoa butter shampoo and conditioner. After I shampoo I use a decent amount of conditioner so that my scalp gets covered, and I leave it on until the end of my shower. I'm sure all of us have tried a gazillion shampoos and conditioners over the years only to have them stop working after a month or two. I have been using Palmer's for 18 months now and it still works. I don't know how much it helps with any plaques but I do know that they don't irritate my scalp. I have never used a shampoo and conditioner for such a long time! It's also very inexpensive. On Amazon I think each bottle is less than $7.00. I highly recommend!! Let me know if you or your niece try the Palmer's. I'm really curious to see if it helps you or your niece. They have several different types of shampoo and conditioner but none of them are as soothing as what's pictured below.<img src="/content/images/2023/10/27/6cdeeee6f988a89320fb1bc1e9917951_medium.jpg" alt="Shampoo " class="uploaded-image"/>
Diane T Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="AlisaLavine" user-id="6222588"/> , I am going to tell my niece about Palmer's Cocoa Butter. I have never used this one. Is this a greasy lotion? I'm the one who needs the oil. Thanks for sharing this.
AlisaLavine Member
The shea butter is a body butter and is used instead of a lotion. It's not oily but it's thick. Remember Crisco? It's similar to that. But thicker. It's made from the seeds of shea trees in Africa and in its unrefined form, it is used for cooking in the areas where these trees grow. You can buy the unrefined version on Amazon as a cooking product. Lanolin is the oil that coats sheep's wool to water proof and protect it. It's more like petroleum jelly but thicker and can be somewhat sticky if you don't wipe up any excess product. Both the shea butter and lanolin can be used safely on plaques and can be used in your hair. See attached photo. The shea butter comes in yellow and white though it's more of a beige color. The yellow is the natural color from the seed. If you buy the yellow shea butter, just know that it can give your skin a bit of a yellow appearance. I have found that the white shea butter is not quite as hard as the yellow. Also, lanolin smells a little bit like wool or sheep. Some people don't like the smell but I don't mind it. Honestly, I'm just happy to have another product that my skin will tolerate! Hope this helps you! <img src="/content/images/2023/10/30/4d356f30c2dda6c97788aa95e150c457_medium.jpg" alt="" class="uploaded-image"/>
1. Diane T Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="AlisaLavine" user-id="6222588"/> I remember buying some years and years ago. There was a lady selling it at an open-end market. It was very thick. Trust me, Crisco was my lotion decades ago. Thanks for sharing. I am going to get some shea butter. My skin is cracking right now. Do you think it would help with that?
2. AlisaLavine Member
 I do think it will help. Especially if you put on a big glob of it and then "lock" it in by putting a layer of lanolin on top. You could also use petroleum jelly though long term, petroleum jelly is very drying. If the cracks are on your hands or feet, try putting a bunch on before bed and put on cotton gloves or socks. You may have to do it a few times to see a difference but both shea butter and lanolin are antibacterial which helps with any minor inflammation. I have never loved products like I do these. I'm not sure what I'd do without them!! I get a lot of compliments on my skin which I haven't in years because it was so ridiculously dry which only makes us look older. My bestie, she's a doctor, can't believe I can use these on my face! She says that most people would have horrible breakouts. I haven't told her that in the winter I reapply both 3 times a day. Sjogren's is a yucky disease. Let me know how things go for you. I'm hoping for good things!🤗