From Ann Donnarumma, Founder of Founder's Formula
Psoriasis is one of those conditions I feel needs a gentler conversation than it usually gets. It's visible, it can be genuinely uncomfortable, and it comes with a level of misunderstanding that adds an emotional weight on top of the physical one. I have met so many women over the years who have been told, wrongly, that it's contagious, or that it's caused by poor hygiene, or that it will simply go away if they try the right cream. None of that is true, and I think it deserves a clear, honest explanation.
I want to be upfront about something before we go further. Psoriasis is a medical condition that needs medical care. Skincare can genuinely support comfort and help manage some of the day-to-day symptoms, but it isn't a treatment or a cure, and nothing I write here should replace a conversation with your GP or dermatologist. What I can offer is a clearer picture of what's actually happening in the skin, what tends to set it off, and how a considered skincare routine can sit alongside proper medical care rather than instead of it.
What psoriasis actually is
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated condition, meaning it's driven by the immune system rather than anything external touching the skin. In psoriasis, the immune system sends faulty signals that cause skin cells to be produced far faster than normal, in a matter of days rather than the usual few weeks. The skin can't shed these cells quickly enough, so they build up on the surface as the raised, red, scaly patches most people recognise as plaques, often with a distinctive silvery white scale on top.
It most commonly appears on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, though it can show up anywhere on the body, including the face, palms, soles and nails. It isn't contagious, and you cannot catch it or pass it on through touch. It's also worth knowing that psoriasis is linked to broader health, including a higher risk of psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain and stiffness. If you notice joint symptoms alongside skin changes, that's an important thing to raise with your doctor, since early treatment of joint involvement matters.
There are a few recognised types. Plaque psoriasis is the most common, showing up as those raised, scaly patches. Guttate psoriasis appears as small, drop-shaped spots and is often triggered by an infection such as strep throat, particularly in younger people. Inverse psoriasis shows up as smooth, inflamed patches in skin folds like the underarms or groin, without the scale you'd see elsewhere. There are other, less common forms too, which is part of why an accurate diagnosis from a dermatologist matters so much before starting any treatment plan.
Why some people develop it
Psoriasis has a strong genetic component. If a parent or sibling has it, your own risk is meaningfully higher, though having the genetic tendency doesn't guarantee you'll develop symptoms. It tends to first appear between the ages of 15 and 35, with a second, smaller peak later in life. Beyond genetics, researchers understand it as an interaction between your immune system, your genes, and environmental factors that act as a trigger for that first flare or for flares afterwards. It is not caused by anything you did wrong, and it is not a reflection of how well you care for your skin.
What tends to set it off
Triggers vary from person to person, but some patterns show up consistently. Infections, particularly strep throat, are well-known triggers, especially for guttate psoriasis. Skin injury or friction, including cuts, sunburn, tattoos, or even a scratch, can cause new patches to form at the site of the injury, something dermatologists call the Koebner phenomenon. This is one of the most important things to understand if you have psoriasis, because it means how gently you treat your skin genuinely matters.
Stress is a widely reported trigger, and many people notice a flare during particularly difficult periods. Certain medications, including some used for high blood pressure and mood disorders, can worsen psoriasis, so it's always worth mentioning your skin history to any doctor prescribing something new. Smoking and heavy alcohol use are both associated with more severe symptoms, and cold, dry weather tends to worsen plaques for a lot of people, while some find gentle sun exposure genuinely helps, though this should always be balanced carefully against sunburn risk.
How I'd think about managing it
Because psoriasis is autoimmune in nature, effective management usually involves your doctor or dermatologist, and treatment options range from topical corticosteroids and vitamin D-based creams through to phototherapy and, for more significant cases, oral or injectable medications that work on the immune system directly. There is no cure, but there are genuinely effective treatments, and what works well can differ a lot from person to person, which is exactly why professional guidance matters more here than with most other skin concerns.
Where skincare fits in is supporting comfort around that medical care. Gentle, consistent hydration helps reduce the tightness, cracking and itch that come with scaling skin. Avoiding anything that irritates or physically traumatises the skin helps reduce the risk of the Koebner effect triggering new patches. And a fragrance-free, low irritant routine reduces the chance of adding extra inflammation on top of what your skin is already dealing with.
A gentle, supportive routine
I'd keep this simple and consistent, treating the skin with as much care as possible rather than trying to actively treat the plaques with skincare alone.
- Cleanse with our Macadamia Omega-7 Cleansing Oil rather than a foaming wash. It removes the day gently without the friction of scrubbing or the stripping effect of harsh surfactants, both of which can aggravate already stressed skin.
- Calm and soothe with our CALM Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Berry Serum. It's fragrance-free and formulated to reduce inflammation and support a compromised barrier, which makes it a genuinely comfortable choice for skin that's already under strain.
- Moisturise generously with our Wild Rosella Hydrating Moisturiser to help ease tightness and support the skin's moisture barrier, applying it while skin is still slightly damp for the best effect.
- Seal particularly dry or scaling areas with our Australian Botanicals Nourishing Facial Oil or Botanical Barrier Balm, both of which help lock in moisture on patches that feel especially tight, flaky or uncomfortable.
Avoid physical scrubs, high-strength acids, and anything that stings on application. If a product causes discomfort, stop using it and simplify rather than pushing through, since irritated skin is exactly the environment psoriasis tends to worsen in.
A gentle final word
If you're living with psoriasis, please lead with medical care and let skincare play its proper, supporting role alongside it. It's a condition that deserves patience, both from the people managing it and from the people around them, and it is absolutely manageable with the right team and the right approach. I'd always rather see someone under the care of a good dermatologist, using a calm and gentle routine at home, than trying to solve something this complex with products alone.
With warmth, Ann
This article is general information based on current understanding of psoriasis and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. If you suspect you have psoriasis, or you notice joint pain alongside skin symptoms, please see a GP or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.