Best Natural Cream for Eczema and Psoriasis: How to Choose a Steroid-Free Cream
Steroid-free skin care
The best natural cream for eczema and psoriasis combines three things: a moisturising base such as petrolatum and glycerin to repair the skin barrier, researched botanical ingredients that calm itch and redness, and proof that it contains no hidden steroids. Chinese herbal creams built on Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi have the largest body of clinical trials among natural options for eczema.
- In a Cochrane review of 77 trials, regular moisturising reduced eczema flares by about two-thirds.
- Topical Chinese herbal creams achieved skin-lesion scores similar to corticosteroid creams in a meta-analysis of 10 trials (1,058 people).
- For psoriasis, indigo naturalis and Mahonia aquifolium are the most promising herbal options in clinical trials.
- Choose a cream with a full ingredient list, declared concentrations and independent steroid testing.
What makes a natural cream work for eczema and psoriasis?
Eczema is driven by a weak skin barrier, inflammation and itch. Psoriasis is an immune-driven condition with fast skin-cell turnover, thick plaques and scale. A good natural cream for both needs to hydrate, calm itch and inflammation, and be gentle enough for daily use.
| What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A moisturising base (petrolatum, glycerin) | Seals in water and repairs the barrier, the foundation of eczema care and helpful for dry psoriasis |
| Researched actives | Ingredients with human or clinical research behind them, not just a "natural" label |
| Itch relief | Breaking the itch-scratch cycle protects the skin from further damage |
| Declared concentrations | Shows how much of each active is actually in the cream |
| Independent steroid testing | Confirms a "herbal" cream does not contain undeclared corticosteroids |
Which natural ingredients have the best evidence?
| Ingredient | Best for | What the research shows |
|---|---|---|
| Moisturisers (petrolatum, glycerin) | Eczema; dry psoriasis | Lower eczema severity and about two-thirds fewer flares across 77 trials (van Zuuren 2017) |
| Chinese herbal creams | Itchy eczema | Higher effectiveness than conventional comparators, with lesion scores similar to steroid creams (Gu 2014); Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi are core herbs (Wang 2023) |
| Colloidal oatmeal | Dry, itchy skin | Improved dryness, scaling, roughness and itch in a clinical study (Reynertson 2015) |
| Indigo naturalis, Mahonia aquifolium | Plaque psoriasis | Most promising herbal options in a review of 20 psoriasis trials (Anheyer 2025) |
| Coal tar | Psoriasis, including scalp | Long-established non-steroid option for scale and itch |
| Aloe vera | Soothing feel | Mixed results in psoriasis trials (Anheyer 2025) |
What is the best natural cream for eczema vs psoriasis?
For eczema
Look for a thick, moisturising base plus itch-calming botanicals. Chinese herbal creams with Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens) and She Chuang Zi (Cnidium monnieri) suit itchy, red, irritated eczema, while plain ointments suit very dry, cracked skin. See our guide to how TCM explains eczema.
For psoriasis
Plaques need hydration to soften scale and anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm redness. Ku Shen is the herb used most often in topical Chinese formulas that improved psoriasis in clinical trials, and indigo naturalis has some of the strongest herbal evidence. Read more about herbal remedies for psoriasis.
Every active declared, steroid-free tested. QICAOGANGMU lists all five herbal actives with their percentages, and TÜV SÜD PSB found none of eight corticosteroids. Rated 4.5 to 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. See the formula
Why do Chinese herbal creams stand out?
Chinese herbal creams combine several actives that work in different ways, which suits conditions where itch, inflammation and dryness happen together:
- Ku Shen flavonoids lowered inflammatory signals in human skin cells and reduced psoriasis-like skin thickening in mice (Lin et al., 2024).
- She Chuang Zi contains osthole, which reduced scratching by blocking the TRPV3 itch channel (Sun et al., 2018).
- Borneol (Bing Pian) relieved itch through the skin's cold-sensing nerve channels (Tian et al., 2023).
A review of 20 trials also found topical Chinese herbs improved eczema symptom scores, particularly in mild and moderate eczema (Wang et al., 2023).
How do you avoid hidden steroids in herbal creams?
When dermatologists in London analysed 11 Chinese herbal creams their patients were using, eight contained the potent steroid dexamethasone, and all had been applied to sensitive areas such as the face and skin folds (Keane et al., 1999). To protect yourself:
- Choose brands that publish independent laboratory steroid tests.
- Check that the laboratory is accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) and that the report names the steroids tested.
- Be cautious of creams that clear thick plaques within a day or two, or cause a sharp rebound flare when stopped.
Read more: Is QICAOGANGMU steroid-free?
QICAOGANGMU: a steroid-free Chinese herbal cream
QICAOGANGMU Steroid-Free Herbal Cream
4.7/5 (243 ratings) and 4.5/5 (666 ratings) on Amazon. Read reviews
QICAOGANGMU brings together the two core herbs from Chinese herbal eczema trials, She Chuang Zi 3% and Ku Shen 1.5%, with cooling Bing Pian (borneol) 2%, menthol 0.5% and Bai Bu 0.5% in a moisturising glycerin and petrolatum base. Every active is declared with its concentration, and it is designed for daily care of dry, itchy and scaly skin, including eczema and psoriasis-prone areas.
- Steroid-free: TÜV SÜD PSB found none of 8 corticosteroids (lab reports)
- Fully declared formula: every active ingredient and its percentage on the label
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- US shipping in 2 to 6 business days, free over US$20
Patch test on a small area first, use a thin layer on intact skin and avoid the eyes, lips and genitals. Full ingredient review · Product details
How do you use a natural cream for the best results?
- Patch test first. Apply a small amount to one area for a few days.
- Apply to slightly damp skin. After a lukewarm shower, pat dry and apply within a few minutes to lock in moisture.
- Use a thin layer once or twice a day, following the packaging directions.
- Keep going between flares. Regular moisturising helps delay the next flare.
- Avoid the eyes and broken skin, as cooling ingredients can sting.
See our full guide on how to use QICAOGANGMU cream.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor if your rash is widespread, weeping, infected or painful, if it disturbs your sleep, or if you have joint pain or swelling with psoriasis. Moderate to severe eczema and psoriasis often need prescription treatment alongside good skin care.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best natural cream for eczema and psoriasis?
Look for a cream with a moisturising base such as petrolatum and glycerin, researched botanical actives such as Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi, declared concentrations and independent steroid testing. Chinese herbal creams have the largest body of clinical trials among natural options for eczema.
Do natural creams work as well as steroid creams?
In a meta-analysis of 10 trials with 1,058 people, topical Chinese herbal creams achieved skin-lesion scores similar to corticosteroid creams. Severe disease may still need prescription treatment.
Can I use the same cream for eczema and psoriasis?
Yes, a moisturising herbal cream can suit both, because both conditions involve dryness, itch and inflammation. Thick psoriasis plaques may also need scale-softening or prescription treatment.
How can I tell if a herbal cream contains steroids?
Choose brands that publish independent tests from an accredited laboratory naming the steroids tested. Be cautious of creams that clear plaques unusually fast or cause a rebound flare when stopped.
How often should I apply a natural eczema cream?
Usually once or twice a day as a thin layer, ideally after bathing on slightly damp skin, and continued between flares. Follow the directions on the product.
Related articles
References
- van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Christensen R, et al. Emollients and moisturisers for eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD012119. PMID 28166390
- Gu S, Yang AW, Li CG, et al. Topical application of Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema: a systematic review with a meta-analysis. Dermatology. 2014;228(4):294-302. PMID 24821063
- Wang MC, Chou YT, Kao MC, et al. Topical Chinese herbal medicine in treating atopic dermatitis (eczema): a systematic review and meta-analysis with core herbs exploration. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023;317:116790. PMID 37328084
- Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(1):43-48. PMID 25607907
- Anheyer M, Cramer H, Ostermann T, et al. Herbal medicine for treating psoriasis: a systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2025;90:103173. PMID 40210174
- Lin CF, Lin MH, Hung CF, et al. The anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids and alkaloids from Sophora flavescens alleviates psoriasiform lesions. Phytother Res. 2024;38(4):1951-1970. PMID 38358770
- Sun XY, Sun LL, Qi H, et al. Antipruritic effect of natural coumarin osthole through selective inhibition of thermosensitive TRPV3 channel in the skin. Mol Pharmacol. 2018;94(4):1164-1173. PMID 30108138
- Tian W, He D, Liu J, et al. Topical borneol relieves nonhistaminergic pruritus via targeting TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels in peripheral nerve terminals of mice. Eur J Pharmacol. 2023;953:175833. PMID 37290679
- Keane FM, Munn SE, du Vivier AW, et al. Analysis of Chinese herbal creams prescribed for dermatological conditions. BMJ. 1999;318(7183):563-564. PMID 10037629
Educational information only. Eczema and psoriasis may need prescription treatment, especially when widespread, painful, infected or associated with joint symptoms.
