Essential Oils for Psoriasis | Skin Care, Research & Safety
Essential oils for psoriasis are sometimes explored as part of a complementary skin-care routine for dry, itchy, uncomfortable skin. Tea tree, lavender, German chamomile, peppermint, frankincense, geranium, and bergamot are among the essential oils frequently discussed for psoriasis because their naturally occurring constituents have been studied for inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cooling, or skin-related properties.
However, psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease, not simply a dry-skin condition. Essential oils have not been established as treatments for psoriasis and should not replace medications, phototherapy, or other care recommended by a dermatologist.
Research into essential oils for psoriasis and skin conditions is growing. A 2025 systematic review evaluated 70 studies involving essential oils in dermatologic and cosmetic applications, including research related to psoriasis. However, the evidence includes a mixture of laboratory, animal, and human studies, so promising biological activity should not automatically be interpreted as proven clinical effectiveness.
For people who enjoy aromatherapy and botanical skin care, appropriately diluted essential oils may still have a place in a carefully designed psoriasis self-care routine, provided irritated or damaged skin is treated cautiously.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis causes the body to produce new skin cells much more rapidly than normal. These cells accumulate on the skin and can form raised, scaly plaques that may itch, sting, burn, feel tight, or become painful. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form.
Psoriasis is not contagious. You cannot catch it through touching someone, sharing objects, or physical contact.
Symptoms and severity vary significantly between individuals. Common triggers can include stress, infections, skin injury, smoking, alcohol, medications, and environmental factors such as cold, dry weather.
Because psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis and other health conditions, persistent psoriasis is best managed with professional medical guidance.
Can Essential Oils Help Psoriasis?
The most accurate answer is that research is interesting, but clinical evidence remains limited.
Some essential oils contain constituents that demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, or sensory activity in laboratory and animal studies. A much smaller body of research has examined essential oils specifically in relation to psoriasis.
This distinction matters. An essential oil demonstrating an effect on an inflammatory pathway in cells or animals does not establish that applying that oil to human psoriasis will improve the disease.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that evidence for complementary approaches to psoriasis is limited or conflicting and does not currently recommend them as replacements for established psoriasis treatments.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil is widely used in botanical skin care and is naturally rich in terpinen-4-ol.
Tea tree oil has been extensively investigated for antimicrobial activity and has also demonstrated effects on inflammatory pathways in experimental research. However, direct clinical evidence supporting tea tree essential oil as a treatment for psoriasis is insufficient.
That distinction is particularly important because psoriasis is not a bacterial or fungal infection.
Tea tree oil should therefore be viewed as a botanical skin-care ingredient rather than a psoriasis treatment.
For topical use, dilute tea tree essential oil appropriately with a carrier oil and patch test before broader use.
BioSource Naturals also offers Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil is one of the most extensively studied essential oils and contains naturally occurring constituents including linalool and linalyl acetate.
Interestingly, lavender has been studied specifically in an experimental model of psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Researchers found effects involving several inflammatory pathways associated with psoriasis. Importantly, this was preclinical research rather than a human clinical trial, so it does not establish lavender essential oil as an effective psoriasis treatment.
Lavender may nevertheless be appealing in a psoriasis-oriented self-care routine because of its soft aromatic character and extensive use in skin-care and relaxation preparations.
Stress is also a recognized psoriasis trigger for some individuals, making relaxation practices potentially useful as part of broader psoriasis self-management.
BioSource Naturals also offers Organic Bulgarian Lavender Essential Oil and a convenient French Lavender Essential Oil Roll-On.
German Blue Chamomile Essential Oil
German Blue Chamomile Essential Oil has a distinctive deep-blue color created during distillation by the formation of chamazulene.
German chamomile also contains bisabolol-related constituents. Chamomile and its constituents have attracted research interest for inflammatory and antioxidant pathways.
This provides a scientific rationale for continued research, but it does not establish German chamomile essential oil as a treatment for psoriasis.
For skin care, German chamomile’s rich herbal aroma and botanical profile make it a popular ingredient in formulations designed for sensitive or uncomfortable-feeling skin.
We also offer Organic German Blue Chamomile Essential Oil and Roman Chamomile Essential Oil.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil is naturally rich in menthol, which creates its characteristic cooling sensation.
That sensory effect may be particularly interesting to someone whose primary concern is itching. Dermatologists sometimes recommend appropriately formulated anti-itch products containing menthol for itchy psoriasis. However, the American Academy of Dermatology also cautions that anti-itch products can irritate or dry the skin.
This does not mean peppermint essential oil treats psoriasis. In fact, concentrated peppermint oil can be irritating, particularly when the skin barrier is already compromised.
For that reason, I would remove the existing DIY peppermint water spray recipe. Essential oil doesn’t properly disperse in plain distilled water, and spraying it onto psoriasis-affected skin isn’t something I’d recommend.
For a much milder aromatic option, consider Peppermint Hydrosol Spray.
Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium Essential Oil has a distinctive green-floral aroma and is commonly used in botanical skin-care formulations.
Geranium essential oil and its constituents have demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and inflammatory-pathway activity in experimental research.
However, there is not sufficient clinical evidence to conclude that geranium essential oil reduces psoriasis plaques, itching, flaking, or inflammation.
For this reason, I would position geranium as a traditional botanical skin-care ingredient rather than a psoriasis remedy.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil has a warm, resinous aroma and a long history of use in traditional botanical and aromatic practices.
Frankincense requires an especially important research distinction.
Boswellia resins and boswellic acids have been investigated for inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis. However, boswellic acids are nonvolatile compounds found in the resin and are not significant constituents of steam-distilled frankincense essential oil.
Therefore, research involving oral Boswellia extracts, boswellic acids, or topical boswellic-acid formulations should not be used as evidence that frankincense essential oil produces the same effects.
Frankincense essential oil can still be enjoyed for its grounding aroma and incorporated into appropriately diluted botanical body-care preparations.
For convenient aromatherapy, BioSource Naturals also offers a Frankincense Essential Oil Roll-On.
Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot Essential Oil provides a bright citrus aroma and contains naturally occurring constituents including limonene and linalyl acetate.
Experimental research has examined bergamot essential oil in psoriasis-like models, but this evidence remains preclinical and should not be interpreted as proof that bergamot treats human psoriasis.
Bergamot also requires an important safety consideration: expressed bergamot essential oil can contain furocoumarins that cause phototoxic reactions when skin is subsequently exposed to UV light.
Follow the individual product’s sun-exposure precautions carefully.
What About Calendula?
Calendula has a long history of use in botanical skin-care preparations.
Calendula preparations and extracts have been studied for skin-related biological activity, but evidence specifically demonstrating that calendula essential oil improves psoriasis is insufficient.
People sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family may also need additional caution with calendula and chamomile products.
Carrier Oils & Moisturizing Psoriasis-Prone Skin
This is actually an area where your page can provide especially useful information.
Psoriasis often leaves skin dry, flaky, and uncomfortable. Dermatologists recommend regular moisturizing because moisturizers help seal water into the skin and reduce dryness. The American Academy of Dermatology generally recommends heavy creams, ointments, or oils and fragrance-free products for psoriasis-prone skin.
Carrier oils can provide an emollient base when someone chooses to incorporate essential oils into personal skin care.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba Oil is technically a liquid wax rather than a triglyceride oil. Its smooth, lightweight feel makes it popular for botanical skin-care preparations.
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Fractionated Coconut Oil provides a lightweight emollient base and is useful for diluting essential oils.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet Almond Carrier Oil is a richer botanical oil commonly used for massage and dry-skin formulations.
Argan Oil
Organic Argan Oil contains fatty acids and tocopherols and has been studied for skin hydration and barrier-related properties.
While these oils can provide emollient skin care, they should not be described as treating the immune processes responsible for psoriasis.
How to Dilute Essential Oils for Psoriasis-Prone Skin
Psoriasis can compromise the normal skin barrier, so more essential oil is not necessarily better.
If you and your healthcare professional decide that topical essential oils are appropriate:
- Choose an essential oil you have previously tolerated.
- Dilute it thoroughly in an appropriate carrier oil.
- Patch test a small amount before broader use.
- Avoid cracked, bleeding, weeping, or severely inflamed skin.
- Stop using the product if burning, increased redness, itching, or irritation occurs.
For psoriasis-prone skin, keeping formulations simple can make it easier to identify anything that causes irritation.
What Is the Best Natural Oil for Psoriasis?
There isn’t one essential oil proven to be the “best” natural oil for psoriasis.
In fact, if your primary concern is dryness, a simple fragrance-free moisturizer or emollient may be more appropriate than an essential oil.
Dermatologists recommend regular moisturizing as part of psoriasis skin care. Moisturizers help seal water into the skin, and heavier creams, ointments, and oils can be particularly useful for dry, scaly skin.
Essential oils can add aroma and botanical components, but they can also cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis. More ingredients do not necessarily mean better skin care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Oils for Psoriasis
What essential oils are commonly used for psoriasis?
Tea tree, lavender, German chamomile, peppermint, geranium, frankincense, and bergamot are frequently discussed in natural skin-care literature.
Some of these oils and their constituents have demonstrated interesting biological effects in laboratory or animal research. However, clinical evidence demonstrating that essential oils effectively treat psoriasis remains limited.
Does tea tree oil help psoriasis?
Tea tree essential oil has well-documented antimicrobial activity and has also been investigated for inflammatory pathways.
However, psoriasis is not an infection, and there is insufficient clinical evidence to conclude that tea tree oil treats psoriasis.
Is lavender essential oil good for psoriasis?
Lavender essential oil and its major constituents, linalool and linalyl acetate, have shown interesting effects in experimental psoriasis-like inflammation research. This research was preclinical rather than a human clinical trial.
Lavender should therefore not be represented as a proven psoriasis treatment.
Can peppermint oil help psoriasis itching?
Menthol produces a cooling sensation, and dermatologists sometimes recommend formulated anti-itch products containing menthol for itchy psoriasis.
Concentrated peppermint essential oil can also irritate sensitive or compromised skin, however, so it should not automatically be applied to psoriasis plaques.
Does frankincense essential oil contain boswellic acid?
Not in meaningful amounts.
Boswellic acids are nonvolatile constituents associated with Boswellia resin and extracts, whereas essential oil is composed primarily of volatile aromatic compounds.
Research on boswellic acids should therefore not be presented as research proving the benefits of frankincense essential oil.
Should I put essential oils directly on psoriasis plaques?
I would not recommend applying undiluted essential oils directly to psoriasis plaques.
Psoriasis can compromise the skin barrier, potentially making irritated skin more reactive. Essential oils should be appropriately diluted and patch tested, and they should generally be avoided on cracked, bleeding, or severely irritated skin.
Can essential oils replace psoriasis medication?
No. Essential oils should not replace medical treatment for psoriasis.
Dermatologists have numerous evidence-based options, including topical corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, other topical medications, phototherapy, and systemic or biologic medications when appropriate.
When to See a Dermatologist
Seek professional evaluation if psoriasis is widespread, worsening, difficult to control, interfering with sleep or everyday life, or affecting your scalp, nails, face, or other sensitive areas.
It is particularly important to tell your healthcare provider if you develop joint pain, swelling, or morning stiffness, because psoriasis can occur with psoriatic arthritis.
Summary: Choosing Essential Oils for Psoriasis
If you choose to incorporate essential oils into your psoriasis self-care routine, focus on gentle skin care rather than trying to treat the disease with essential oils.
Tea tree, lavender, German chamomile, peppermint, geranium, frankincense, and bergamot all have interesting aromatic chemistry, and several have demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, sensory, or inflammatory-pathway activity in experimental research. However, evidence specifically demonstrating that these oils improve psoriasis in humans remains limited.
For dry, psoriasis-prone skin, moisturizing may be more important than adding essential oils. Jojoba, coconut, sweet almond, and argan oils can serve as emollient carrier oils, while dermatologists generally recommend fragrance-free moisturizers, creams, ointments, or oils to help retain moisture.
If you use essential oils, dilute them appropriately, patch test first, avoid cracked or severely irritated skin, and discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Most importantly, essential oils should complement, not replace, appropriate psoriasis care.
You may find this related article helpful.
Essential Oils for Sensitive Skin | Gentle Use Guide
Disclaimer
*This information is provided for educational purposes only. BioSource Naturals essential oils and carrier oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammation, infection, or any other disease or medical condition.
Research involving individual essential oils, botanical extracts, isolated constituents, laboratory experiments, or animal models does not establish that BioSource Naturals products produce the same effects. Consult a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional regarding diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis.
References
- Pezantes-Orellana C, et al. Evaluating efficacy, safety, and innovation in skin care applications of essential oils: a systematic review. Frontiers in Medicine. 2025. doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1589691.
- Rai VK, Sinha P, Yadav KS, et al. Anti-psoriatic effect of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil and its major components linalool and linalyl acetate. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2020.
- Elmets CA, Korman NJ, et al. Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2021.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Psoriasis: Diagnosis and Treatment.
- American Academy of Dermatology. What Psoriasis Treatments Are Available Without a Prescription?
- American Academy of Dermatology. 7 Ways to Relieve Itchy Psoriasis.
