The Best CBD for Psoriasis: Our 5 Picks Plus What Research Tells Us

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Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.

• CBD oil: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Tincture | Skip to review
• CBD facial serum: cbdMD Facial Serum | Skip to review
• CBD lotion: Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion Skin Formula | Skip to review
• CBD cream: PlusCBD Pain Relief Muscle Cream | Skip to review
• CBD tincture: CBDfx Calming Tincture | Skip to review

With the rise in popularity of cannabidiol (CBD), many people with psoriasis are considering turning to CBD for help managing inflammation and other psoriasis symptoms.

We explore some vetted CBD products that may help aid relaxation and others that may help soothe itchy, inflamed skin at home.

However, it’s important to remember that CBD research is still in its infancy, and psoriasis is a chronic skin condition requiring treatment from a dermatologist or trusted healthcare professional.

CBD psoriasis studies are limited, but here is what we know so far.

Cannabinoids like CBD work by affecting the body’s endocannabinoid system, which affects many different parts of your body, including your digestive system, brain, and skin.

A 2022 review of CBD’s potential for skin determined that CBD may be one possible therapeutic option for acute and chronic inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis. However, researchers state more studies are needed.

Melanie Palm, MD, a board certified dermatologist based in San Diego, explains that psoriasis is essentially a buildup of cells on the skin’s surface caused by an inflammatory response.

Palm says that though more research is needed to confirm the benefits of CBD for psoriasis, cannabinoids may slow down skin cell growth, reduce itching, and promote wound healing in psoriasis.

She also points out that topical cannabidiol is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, which may ease irritation caused by psoriasis.

Around 30% of people with psoriasis develop a painful chronic condition psoriatic arthritis.

Because psoriatic arthritis is painful, many people with psoriasis may consider using CBD. Other cannabinoids, such as THC, have also been linked to soothing pain. Pain management is a common reason why people seek medical cannabis.

If you think you might have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, it is important to speak with a dermatologist or rheumatologist before using any new medications or potential remedies for symptom relief, including CBD.

“A full 25–35% of patients with skin psoriasis have joint involvement,” Palm says. “Psoriatic arthritis is a destructive form of joint disease and requires systemic therapy of which topical creams, including CBD, are ineffective.”

For this reason, and thanks to a lack of research, Palm does not recommend topical or oral CBD as an appropriate treatment for psoriatic arthritis.

“There are multiple medications that are FDA-approved for psoriatic arthritis, including methotrexate and immune modulation. The latter are extremely effective in down-regulating the inflammatory process on the skin and joints,” Palm adds.

CBD terms to know

When researching and buying CBD products online, you may see the following terms:

• CBD isolate: contains CBD, no other cannabinoids, and no THC
• Broad-spectrum CBD: contains most cannabinoids, but it generally doesn’t include THC
• Full-spectrum CBD: contains all the plant’s cannabinoids, including THC

By law, CBD products are required to contain less than 0.3% THC. But most CBD products aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So, keep in mind that some may still have trace amounts of THC that could be detectable on a drug test.

Every brand and product featured has been vetted by our team for medical and business standards. Each CBD product in this article:

• is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
• is made by a company that discloses the source of its hemp
• contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
• passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA

As a part of our selection process, we also considered:

• the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
• product potency
• overall ingredients, including those that may soothe psoriasis symptoms
• indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
  • customer reviews
  • whether the company has been subject to an FDA warning letter
  • whether the company makes any unsupported health claims

Where available, we’ve included special discount codes for our readers.

Though CBD boasts a decently long list of possible benefits, and it’s considered safe overall, it still has a handful of side effects to consider.

Some possible side effects and adverse effects include:

• weight changes
• appetite changes
• fatigue
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• dizziness

CBD products can also interact with certain medications and interfere with their effectiveness. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using CBD therapeutically.

As Palm points out, it’s also important to recognize there’s a lack of FDA regulation for CBD at this time. “This leaves consumers vulnerable to unregulated, untested products that may contain potentially dangerous ingredients,” she says.

This makes it even more important to research before buying to ensure you’re using products from the best and most reputable CBD brands.

It’s hard to say exactly how many milligrams of CBD to use for psoriasis, as there have been no human CBD studies that look at the best dose. On psoriasis forums, many people report having success with using at least 10 mg per day and gradually increasing it to 20 or 30 mg.

Those with psoriatic arthritis tend to use more CBD per day to manage pain — usually 20–40 mg. Many people take more CBD during a flare-up.

There are plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) options for psoriasis for quick relief at home without a prescription.

• Hydrocortisone: According to Palm, hydrocortisone creams can help reduce itching and inflammation, especially if you only have a few small psoriasis patches.
• Heavy creams and ointments: “If you have psoriasis, it’s also important to keep your skin barrier as hydrated and moisturized as possible,” Palm adds. “So, I recommend following up hydrocortisone application with a heavy cream or ointment that’s fragrance-free and formulated for sensitive skin types.”
• Coal tar: Coal tar is another OTC ingredient Palm points to for temporary help with psoriasis. “It can be found in creams, ointments, shampoos, and some bath solutions. It helps reduce itching, flaking, redness, and irritation caused by psoriasis. It can also slow the growth and buildup of skin cells,” she says.

It’s best to visit a dermatologist for help managing your psoriasis symptoms. This is especially true if you’re experiencing pain or symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

During an in-office treatment, Palm says you can expect to discuss some of the numerous systemic and FDA-approved treatment options on the market.

“Many of these therapies require prior approval from insurance to begin therapy or proof of other methods of treatment failing,” she adds.

For a small percentage of the body surface area affected by psoriasis, Palm says there are many different treatment options available, including:

• topical steroids
• topical calcineurin inhibitors
• vitamin D analogs
• new novel prescription-strength nonsteroid topical

If there is obvious joint involvement or if a large area of your body or face is affected by psoriasis, Palm says a systemic therapy like anti-TNF alpha may be a more appropriate choice.

Certain lifestyle choices, like alcohol consumption, can worsen psoriasis symptoms. Your doctor can discuss any potential dietary and lifestyle changes with you.

While the link between cannabis and psoriasis needs to be researched more thoroughly, there’s some evidence that suggests CBD might be able to help with psoriasis symptoms.

If you have psoriasis, trying a CBD-based product might be a good idea. It’s important to talk with your doctor before trying CBD. Be sure to thoroughly research a product before you buy it.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.