According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, “more than 8 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis.” (1)

This is an astonishing number. If you or someone you love suffers from psoriasis, keep reading to find out how you can heal your body from the inside while you soothe your skin with CHARLíS!

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is defined by the Mayo Clinic and other medical organizations as a “skin disease” that produces scaly, discolored patches on the skin, especially on the scalp, elbows, trunk, and knees. These patches can be itchy and sometimes quite painful, as well as sensitive to the touch. Psoriasis can also manifest as dry, cracked skin (which sometimes can bleed) or rashes that can appear cyclically. Psoriasis differs from eczema in that, amongst other factors, there is a clear connection between it and immune system dysregulation, and it tends to happen in adults more than children.

In a nutshell, psoriasis is much more than just a skin condition. As I just mentioned, it is also an immune system condition as well. In fact, while research continues, experts now believe that psoriasis may actually be an autoimmune condition. (2) This means that the skin lesions, joint pain, and other symptoms occur because of an immune system overreaction in the body.

3 Tips to Help Soothe and Heal

Knowing the root cause of psoriasis is key when you are initially taking steps to heal both internally and on the surface level. So let’s dive into some proven actions that can keep psoriasis at bay or even heal it for good.

#1 Heal the autoimmunity

If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis, the very first thing you must do is address the autoimmune component of the condition. When you do, you are getting to the root cause of psoriasis so that healing can occur throughout the body.

How can you best do that?

In order to answer that question, we need to talk first about genetics. Is there a genetic component to psoriasis? Yes, there is. According to a 2010 report published in the International Journal of Health Sciences, “Psoriasis represents a complex disease at the cellular, genomic and genetic levels, with infiltration of many types of leukocytes into the skin, altered growth and differentiation of skin-resident cells, and altered expression of more than 1,300 genes in psoriatic lesions.” (3)

To distill all that science talk down, let me also state the obvious. If there weren’t a genetic component to the condition, then you wouldn’t be dealing with its painful and sometimes debilitating effects right now.

What most conventional doctors will not share with you, however, is something called epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of all the outside stressors (i.e. stressors that occur outside of a person’s genetic code) that must be in place in order to spark genetic expression.

That’s right, a condition like psoriasis doesn't just “turn on” because you have the genetic predisposition for it. Psoriasis (and actually all disease conditions) are not inevitable. They often require several epigenetic stressors impacting the body cumulatively for a particular disease to manifest. (4)

Some epigenetic stressors that can “turn on” autoimmune conditions are:

• environmental toxins,
• viral infections,
• bacterial overgrowth,
• emotional stress and trauma, and
• gut-related conditions, especially a condition called Leaky Gut.

While any one of the stressors above (and many others) can kick start the genetic propensity for psoriasis, across the board, almost every person who has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition also suffers from leaky gut as well. Leaky gut occurs when tiny holes develop in the intestinal lining, allowing toxins from the digestive tract to enter the bloodstream.

Changing your diet must be step number one if you want to heal psoriasis. Eating a balanced, whole foods, organic diet, staying away from foods that contain refined sugar as well as processed foods, avoiding foods that may be reactive to you (such as gluten), and incorporating foods that can help lower inflammation and heal Leaky Gut can go a long way in turning autoimmune-related skin conditions like psoriasis around. (5)

#2 Up your Vitamin D levels

Another step for psoriasis healing is to make sure you are getting enough vitamin D. Even though it is called a “vitamin,” D is so much more than just a nutrient. It is responsible for the communication and regulation of hundreds of genes and gene codes in the body. It is a vital hormonal substance for the immune system too, as well as for the reproductive system, brain, heart health, and bones. It is considered an immunomodulatory substance that can help fight infections and viral loads as well as balance inflammatory responses. Most people who have psoriasis also have vitamin D deficiency. (6)

Conventional medicine is beginning to encourage the topical application of “vitamin D analogues” for psoriasis in addition to the pharmaceutical standard of corticosteroids. A Vitamin D analog is a synthetic version of D that has been manipulated to help ease psoriasis outbreaks by balancing keratinocyte production. (7) Initial studies show that vitamin D analogues can be effective for some people, however the jury is still out and clinical trials are ongoing. (8) Like corticosteroid use, vitamin D analog treatment may come with side effects for some people and must be prescribed by a doctor. Be sure to do your homework before you consider using them for psoriasis. Vitamin D analogues are currently approved by the FDA for use by those with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. This is the most common form of psoriasis, affecting about 85-90% of those with the condition. (9)

On the other hand, upping your D levels internally should not be discounted for what it can do to heal both your skin and your immune system. What’s more, you can naturally increase your D levels in a variety of ways. The best way is to make sure that you get about 20 minutes of full-body sun each day, since sunlight synthesizes vitamin D that is produced in the epidermis. If your skin is sensitive because of psoriasis outbreaks, you can lessen the exposure time, wear a light natural zinc oxide-based sunscreen (like that found in the CHARLíS Neutral Tinted Face Moisturizer), and make sure that you are getting exposure during times when the sun is not the strongest. Good times to sun soak if you have sensitive skin would be in the morning until about 10 am, and anytime after 2 pm.

You can also include foods, such as fish, mushrooms, and eggs, that are solid sources of food-based D. Supplementation is also an option for those who need to significantly raise their levels or for those with darker skin. Melanin is a pigmenting substance that exists in higher numbers amongst those with dark skin. It acts as a “natural sunscreen” as well, which is great for UV ray protection but not so great for vitamin D3 production. Individuals with darker skin tend to have less vitamin D production than those with lighter skin. (10) If you do supplement, make sure you choose a quality vitamin D3 product that also includes K2.

Finally, keep in mind that studies now indicate that D levels between 50-60 can help prevent diseases like cancer. (11) Be sure to get a vitamin D test today if you are not sure where you are at with your levels.

#3 Choose topical relief that soothes the skin and doesn’t irritate

When you have psoriasis outbreaks, the very best thing you can do for external relief is to moisturize. That being said, not just any moisturizer will do for skin affected by psoriasis. Many commercial products such as regular lotions and products like Vaseline can eventually lead to more dryness or clogged pores. This can actually make matters worse in the long run by exacerbating dryness, flakiness, and cracked skin or clogging pores, opening the way for infection to set in.

This is where the CHARLíS Luxury Skin and Face Collection products can come to the rescue! Our very best formula to deeply hydrate psoriasis-prone skin is the CHARLíS Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer. The Revitalizing Moisturizer can be used on all parts of the body, including common psoriasis-prone areas such as the elbows and knees. Here are some key ingredients in this super gentle yet very effective formula that make it a go-to moisturizer for those with psoriasis and eczema or for anyone suffering from dry, sensitive skin:

Safflower Oil (Carthamus tinctorius): Safflower oil is rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid and has a “comedogenic rating” of 0. This means that it will not clog pores as it deeply hydrates. In fact, the linoleic acid as well as other fatty acid content within safflower oil may be especially helpful in soothing as well as restoring psoriasis-prone skin. A 2017 Polish study found that people with plaque psoriasis had deficient levels of linoleic acid (as well as other fatty acid groups across the board). (12) Studies also indicate that safflower oil can lower skin inflammation and help with wound healing. (Note: If you have cracked skin that is bleeding, then you have a wound, and safflower oil can help!)

Argan Kernel Oil (Argania Spinosa): Argan is one of the most effective hydrating oils for the skin. It can improve skin elasticity while providing antioxidant protection and deep moisture retention. Argan oil is also a plant-based source of squalene. This is a natural substance with significant anti-inflammatory properties that can be especially beneficial for irritated and sensitive skin.

Cupuacu Seed Butter (Theobroma Grandiflorum): This oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the cupuacu tree which grows in the Brazilian Amazon. It is a great vegan alternative to lanolin. Cupuacu butter is also a great source of phytosterols, which can specifically help to repair dry, damaged skin. In a 2012 report, it was determined that cupuacu butter could “support 440% of its weight in water.” This makes it a “super-moisturizer” that outperforms lanolin and even shea butter in this regard. (13)

Citrus: Did you know that stress alone can bring about a psoriasis flare-up? In a 2012 University of Texas study, researchers found that psychological stress can create changes in the HPA axis and the sympathetic nervous system, which can affect both the immune system (i.e. increased inflammation overall) and the skin, causing psoriasis flare-ups.

“Skin provides a first line of defense against many environmental insults,” the U of Texas researchers wrote in a report for the journal Dermatology Research and Practice. “A number of investigations have indicated that the skin is especially sensitive to psychological stress, and experimental evidence shows that the cutaneous innate and adaptive immune systems are affected by stressors.” (14)

There are many ways to lower your stress responses, and one way is through the use of key essential oils. Studies also show that citrus essential oils are the best for creating balanced energy in the body and the brain. (15) The CHARLíS Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer contains citrus essential oils in the form of organic citrus paradisi (i.e. grapefruit) peel oil.

Heal Your Skin with CHARLíS!

You can heal even the most sensitive, dry, and chapped psoriasis-prone skin through getting to the root of why it is happening in the first place (autoimmunity), fortifying your body with key nutrients like vitamin D, and using 100% organic, non-GMO, gentle yet effective skincare products like the CHARLíS Daily Revitalizing Moisturizer.

Give it a try for all-over moisturizing and feel the relief today!

References:

1. Psoriasis Statistics
2. Psoriasis and autoimmunity
3. Genetic Background of Psoriasis
4. The genetics and epigenetics of autoimmune diseases
5. Leaky Gut and Autoimmune Diseases
6. Vitamin D and its role in psoriasis: An overview of the dermatologist and nutritionist
7. The Rationale Behind Topical Vitamin D Analogs in the Treatment of Psoriasis
8. Vitamin D Levels Following Topical Application of Vitamin D Ointment (VITD-001)
9. Plaque Psoriasis
10. Skin Under the Sun: When Melanin Pigment Meets Vitamin D
11. Breast cancer risk markedly lower with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations ≥60 vs <20 ng/ml (150 vs 50 nmol/L): Pooled analysis of two randomized trials and a prospective cohort
12. Serum fatty acid profile in psoriasis and its comorbidity
13. Advanced Skin Care – A Novel Ingredient
14. Psychological Stress and the Cutaneous Immune Response: Roles of the HPA Axis and the Sympathetic Nervous System in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis
15. Citrus Essential Oils in Aromatherapy: Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms