psoriasis inflamed skin plaques explained

Psoriasis Explained: Causes and Natural Ways to Soothe Your Skin

January 7, 2026

Living with skin that feels itchy, sore, or unpredictable can be exhausting, especially when flare-ups seem to appear without warning.

Psoriasis is a journey many Australians walk, impacting around 2% to 6% of the population.¹,² But here is the most important thing to understand: Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition. It is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease. This means that while the symptoms show up on your skin, the driving force behind psoriasis symptoms is actually your immune system. In this article, we’ll explore what is happening beneath the surface, how to identify your triggers, and the natural, evidence-based ways you can support your body for long-term relief.

What is Psoriasis, Exactly?

Normally, your skin cells have a predictable life cycle: they grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface over about a month. In people with psoriasis, an overactive immune system sends "false alarms" that speed this process up. Instead of weeks, the cycle happens in just a few days. Because the skin cells grow so fast, the old ones can’t shed quickly enough. They pile up on the surface, creating the thick, scaly patches we recognize as psoriasis.¹,²

What Does Psoriasis Looks Like and Why Does it Happen?

Psoriasis doesn't look the same on everyone. It commonly appears as round or oval "plaques" on the scalp, elbows, knees, and torso, often appearing symmetrically on both sides of the body.

On Light Skin: Patches typically look red with silvery-white scales.
On Deeper Skin Tones: Patches may appear purple, chocolate brown, or greyish.
The Sensation: Beyond the visual, many experience intense itching, soreness, or painful cracking, especially on the high-movement areas like hands and feet.¹,³

Triggers that Ignite Psoriasis

While genetics play a significant role in who develops psoriasis, environmental "triggers" are usually what wake the condition up or cause a flare. Common culprits include:

Skin Trauma: A cut, scrape, or even a bad sunburn.
Infections: Such as strep throat, which is a common trigger for certain types of psoriasis.
Lifestyle Factors: Stress, smoking, and alcohol are major drivers of inflammation.
Metabolic Health: Obesity can worsen symptoms because fat tissue actually produces inflammatory signals.¹,²

How a HealthCare Practitioner Can Help?

Managing psoriasis is about more than just applying a cream. A holistic approach looks at the "why" behind the flare. The goal is to induce remission, reduce the severity of flares, and improve your daily comfort. A practitioner may work with you to:

Strengthen the Skin Barrier: Using strategies to keep moisture in and irritants out.
Correct Nutrient Gaps: Addressing common deficiencies like Omega 3s, Vitamin D and Zinc.
Calm the Nervous System: Improving sleep and managing stress to dial down immune hyperactivity.
Support Weight & Lifestyle: Helping you navigate alcohol reduction or weight management to lower systemic inflammation.

Natural Evidence-Based Support for Psoriasis

There’s some genuinely exciting research showing that certain nutrients can work alongside standard medical care to help improve skin symptoms.

1. Omega-3 fatty acids

Think of Omega-3s as an “internal moisturiser” for your skin. A large review of 10 studies involving 560 people found that Omega-3 supplements helped reduce redness, itching, and scaling.⁴ They do this by calming the inflammatory pathways that drive flare-ups. Omega-3 is one of those nutrients many people fall short on, as explored in this article. That’s why supplements like OmegaGenics EPA/DHA that provide high doses of Omega-3s can be a helpful addition when looking to support skin health.

2. Curcumin (from turmeric)

The active compound in turmeric is a real powerhouse when it comes to skin health. In a double-blind study, people with mild to moderate psoriasis who took 2 g of curcumin each day alongside their topical treatments saw better results than those using the cream alone.⁵ One reason is that curcumin helps lower IL-22, a marker linked to psoriasis activity.

Curcumin is just one of several anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients shown to support skin health. Derma-Clear brings these ingredients together in a thoughtfully designed formula to help calm inflammation and support the skin from within.

Inflammation doesn’t act alone, and neither should skin support. Curcumin is just one of several powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients shown to help soothe irritated skin. Derma-Clear brings these actives together in a smart, synergistic formula designed to calm inflammation and support skin health from within.

Why does this matter? Oxidative stress (the tug-of-war between tissue damage and antioxidants) is a recognised driver of psoriasis. Studies show that adults with a higher antioxidant balance have a lower risk of psoriasis, with diet-derived antioxidants from fruits, nuts, and vegetables making the biggest difference. By combining antioxidant nutrients with anti-inflammatory support, Derma-Clear helps restore balance, keeping skin calmer, stronger, and more resilient from the inside out.

3. Vitamin D: the “sunshine” vitamin

Vitamin D plays a key role in keeping the immune system balanced. Interestingly, one study found that 60% of people with psoriasis were vitamin D-deficient, compared with just 17.5% of the general population.⁶ This isn’t surprising, as red, inflamed skin can feel extra sensitive in the sun, so many people with long-term psoriasis naturally avoid sun exposure to protect their skin. Over time, this reduced sunlight can contribute to lower vitamin D levels, which may then affect the immune system's ability to regulate the speed of skin growth in psoriasis.

How Everyday Habits That Reduce Inflammation Support Your Skin

Chronic inflammation acts like a slow, smouldering fire within the body. Over time, it can weaken the skin barrier and slow the lymphatic system, which plays an important role in clearing cellular waste.⁸⁻¹⁰ When this happens, skin becomes more vulnerable to irritation and infection, and healing can take longer. By reducing inflammation through everyday habits, such as diet, skincare, and stress management, you help create the right conditions for your skin to repair and protect itself.

Daily Lifestyle Tips for Calmer Skin

When managing a chronic skin condition, consistency matters more than perfection. These gentle, evidence-based strategies can support calmer, more resilient skin over time:

Moisturise daily: Apply a thick, fragrance-free cream straight after bathing to seal in moisture and support the skin barrier.
Be gentle with your skin: Avoid harsh soaps, loofahs, and vigorous scrubbing, which can worsen irritation and inflammation.
Adopt a “psoriasis-friendly” eating pattern: A Mediterranean-style diet rich in oily fish, olive oil, colourful berries, and leafy greens helps provide anti-inflammatory nutrients.
Support the mind–body connection: Stress is a common trigger for flare-ups, so practices like yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation can help calm the immune system and reduce inflammatory responses.

Supporting Psoriasis Skin From the Inside Out

Psoriasis can be a challenging companion, but it doesn't have to define your life. By combining medical guidance with holistic nutrition and lifestyle changes, you can take the "heat" out of the condition and enjoy clearer, more comfortable skin.

Ready to take the next step? Explore our Skin Health Range for targeted support, and connect with a qualified practitioner for personalized advice tailored to your unique needs.