Best Cream for Psoriasis UK: Over-the-Counter vs Prescription
How shop-bought psoriasis creams compare with prescription treatments, which suits which area, and what to avoid.
Part of our psoriasis guide.
Get urgent help first. Call 999 or go to A&E if your skin suddenly becomes red and inflamed over most of your body, or you have widespread pus-filled spots, especially with a fever, chills or feeling very unwell. These can be signs of erythrodermic or generalised pustular psoriasis, which are emergencies. See a GP soon if you have painful, swollen joints. Online treatment isn't suitable in these situations.
Key fact: shop-bought psoriasis creams mainly soften scale and moisturise, which can help mild patches. For red, raised plaques that keep returning, prescription treatment with a steroid and vitamin D works best.
Adults only online, and not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Access Doctor's online psoriasis service is for adults aged 18 and over, and can't supply treatment if you're pregnant or breastfeeding: your GP or midwife can help. Children with psoriasis should see their GP.
The short answer
There's no single best cream for psoriasis. Shop-bought psoriasis creams can soften scale and soothe dryness, which is often enough for mild patches. For red, thick plaques that keep coming back, prescription treatments such as a steroid with vitamin D (for example Enstilar or Dovobet) work much better, and are what NICE recommends first.
Over-the-counter psoriasis creams: what they can do
| Type | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Thick emollients and ointments | Moisturise, reduce dryness, cracking and itch | Everyone with psoriasis, every day |
| Salicylic acid creams and ointments | Loosen and lift thick scale | Thick, scaly plaques, so other treatments can reach the skin |
| Urea creams | Soften and hydrate thick, rough skin | Dry, cracked plaques, hands and feet |
| Coal tar products | Reduce scale and inflammation | Mild psoriasis, if you can accept the smell and staining |
| "Psoriasis" branded creams and gels | Usually emollients or medical devices that soften scale | Mild patches; check what is in them |
Many products labelled "psoriasis cream" are emollients or scale softeners rather than medicines that treat the inflammation. They're worth trying for mild psoriasis, but if your patches are still red and raised after a few weeks, you're likely to need a prescription treatment.
Pharmacy hydrocortisone isn't a psoriasis treatment. Hydrocortisone 1% bought from a pharmacy is licensed for eczema, dermatitis and insect bites, not psoriasis, and it's too weak for most body plaques. Prescribers sometimes use mild steroids for psoriasis on the face or in skin folds, for short courses.
Prescription creams: what works best
| Prescription treatment | Why it's used | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Steroid + vitamin D (Enstilar, Dovobet) | Combines the two most effective treatments in one product, once a day (Enstilar up to 4 weeks; Dovobet gel up to 8 weeks on the body) | Enstilar guide, Dovobet guide |
| Potent steroid (Betnovate, Elocon) | Calms inflammation quickly; used for up to 4 weeks | Steroid creams for psoriasis |
| Vitamin D (calcipotriol) | Slows skin growth; can be used long term | Calcipotriol guide |
| Very potent steroid (Dermovate) | For stubborn plaques, short courses | Steroid creams for psoriasis |
Our psoriasis treatment options guide explains the order NICE recommends them in.
The best cream for different areas
- Body, arms and legs: a potent steroid with vitamin D, or a combined product such as Enstilar.
- Face: a mild or moderate steroid for no more than 2 weeks, on a prescriber's advice; no potent steroids. See psoriasis on the face.
- Skin folds and genitals: gentle emollients and mild steroids only. See inverse psoriasis.
- Hands and feet: thick emollients, urea or salicylic acid, and often a stronger steroid. See hands and feet.
- Scalp: products made for the scalp, such as shampoos, lotions and gels. See scalp psoriasis treatment.
What not to put on psoriasis
- Perfumed soaps, bubble baths and fragranced lotions, which dry and irritate the skin
- Harsh scrubs, or picking and peeling off scale, which can trigger new plaques
- A potent steroid on your face or in skin folds
- Someone else's prescription cream
- Undiluted essential oils and unregulated "miracle" creams, some of which have been found to contain undeclared steroids
- A steroid on a rash that might be a fungal infection, until it has been checked
Should you moisturise psoriasis?
Yes. Moisturising doesn't clear psoriasis on its own, but it reduces scale, cracking and itch and helps other treatments soak in. Use a thick emollient generously, at least twice a day, and as a soap substitute. Ointments are greasier but work best on thick, dry plaques. Fabric with emollient on it catches fire easily, so keep away from flames. See our emollients guide.
Shop creams not working?
Our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers can assess your psoriasis online and, if suitable, prescribe a stronger treatment. Adults 18 and over. Dispensed from our UK pharmacy. Approved before 3pm, Monday to Friday? Dispatched the same day, by Royal Mail Tracked 48, Tracked 24 or Special Delivery guaranteed by 1pm next working day: you choose.
Start Psoriasis Consultation →How our online service supplies psoriasis treatment: adults 18 and over, not for the face, genitals or skin folds. Enstilar, Dovobet and other psoriasis-only treatments need psoriasis already diagnosed by a GP or dermatologist. Enstilar and Dovobet: one pack per order, supplied as a course of up to 4 weeks, on no more than 30% of the body. Betnovate and Elocon: up to 3 × 30g or 1 × 100g, for a 4-week course followed by a 4-week break. Dermovate only if you have been prescribed it before. Widespread psoriasis, joint pain or psoriasis that hasn't responded to treatment is referred to your GP.
UK safety and reporting side effects
Prescription psoriasis treatments are only supplied after a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your consultation, including where your psoriasis is, how much skin it covers and what you have used before. Always read the patient information leaflet. Since 2024, UK steroid packs show their strength on the front (mild, moderate, strong or very strong). The MHRA advises using topical steroids for the shortest time needed, and to tell a healthcare professional if your skin flares badly after you stop a steroid you have used for a long time, which can be a topical steroid withdrawal reaction.
If you think you've had a side effect, tell your pharmacist or doctor. You can also report it to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme.
Prescription psoriasis creams from Access Doctor
Following an online consultation, our prescribers can supply the treatments below where suitable, as part of our psoriasis treatment service.
Vitamin D + potent steroid · Rx
Enstilar Foam
Calcipotriol with betamethasone in a spray foam, once a day for up to 4 weeks. For diagnosed plaque psoriasis.
View product →Vitamin D + potent steroid · Rx
Dovobet Gel
Calcipotriol with betamethasone, for the scalp and for mild to moderate plaque psoriasis on the body.
View product →Potent steroid · Rx
Betnovate Cream
Betamethasone 0.1%. A 4-week course for body plaques, then a 4-week break.
View product →Potent steroid · Rx
Elocon Cream
Mometasone 0.1%, applied once a day.
View product →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective cream for psoriasis?
For most plaque psoriasis, a prescription steroid combined with a vitamin D treatment, such as Enstilar or Dovobet, is the most effective cream-based treatment. Over-the-counter creams help soften scale and dryness but don't treat the inflammation as well.
Can I buy a psoriasis cream over the counter?
Yes. Pharmacies and shops sell emollients, salicylic acid, urea and some coal tar products for psoriasis. These can help mild psoriasis. Steroid and vitamin D treatments that work better for most plaques need a prescription.
What should you not put on psoriasis?
Avoid perfumed soaps and lotions, harsh scrubs, picking off scale, potent steroids on the face or in skin folds, other people's prescription creams and unregulated creams, some of which contain hidden steroids.
Should you moisturise psoriasis or let it dry out?
Moisturise it. Emollients reduce scale, cracking and itch and help other treatments work. Letting psoriasis dry out tends to make it more itchy and sore.
Do shop-bought psoriasis creams work?
They can help mild psoriasis by softening scale and easing dryness and itch. Most are emollients or scale softeners rather than treatments for the inflammation, so if patches are still red and raised after a few weeks, a prescription treatment is likely to work better.
Is hydrocortisone cream good for psoriasis?
Pharmacy hydrocortisone 1% isn't licensed for psoriasis and is too weak for most body plaques. A prescriber may use a mild steroid for psoriasis on the face or in skin folds for short courses.
References
- NICE. Psoriasis: assessment and management (CG153). nice.org.uk
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Psoriasis. cks.nice.org.uk
- Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary: psoriasis (treatment summary). bnf.nice.org.uk
- MHRA. Emollients: new information about risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients. 2018. gov.uk
- NHS. Psoriasis. nhs.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and isn’t medical advice. Prescription psoriasis treatments need a clinical consultation before they can be supplied. If your skin is red all over, you have widespread pus spots, a fever or you feel unwell, seek medical advice the same day. In a medical emergency, call 999.