What medication does Kim Kardashian use for psoriasis?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 7.5 million Americans are affected by psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to build up and form itchy, scaly patches. While Kim Kardashian has not publicly endorsed a specific systemic medication, she has been very open about her personal management routine for the condition, which addresses the question of what medication does Kim Kardashian use for psoriasis through a multi-faceted approach.

Quick Summary

Kim Kardashian manages her psoriasis with a regimen that includes prescription topical steroid creams, often used with occlusion therapy, and at-home light therapy. Her approach also incorporates dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as a past cortisone injection. This highlights the varied treatment strategies available for managing psoriasis symptoms effectively.

Key Points

Topical Steroid Cream: Kim Kardashian uses a prescription topical cortisone ointment for her psoriasis flare-ups.
Occlusion Therapy: A technique she learned from her dermatologist involves wrapping affected skin in plastic wrap overnight to increase the topical cream's absorption and effectiveness.
Light Therapy: In the past, she successfully used an at-home light therapy system (phototherapy) to clear up her psoriasis.
Dietary Management: Kardashian has found that a plant-based diet helps ease her symptoms, while a restrictive diet containing meat triggered a painful flare-up.
Systemic Medications: While she has publicly mentioned considering systemic medication for severe flares, there is no public information confirming her use of any specific oral or injectable drug.
No Single Cure: Psoriasis is a chronic condition, and Kim Kardashian's experience demonstrates that management is an ongoing process using a combination of methods, not a single medication.

Kim Kardashian's Psoriasis Management Strategy

Kim Kardashian has been transparent about her journey with psoriasis since her diagnosis in 2011, sharing her experiences and flare-ups with the public. Her approach to managing the condition involves a combination of topical treatments, alternative therapies, and lifestyle adjustments, which has evolved over the years based on her symptoms and advice from dermatologists.

Topical and Occlusion Therapy

One of the most notable methods Kardashian has publicly shared is the use of topical creams combined with occlusion therapy. This involves applying a prescription cream to the affected skin, then covering it with an occlusive dressing, such as plastic wrap, overnight to enhance absorption.

Prescription Creams: Reports indicate she uses a prescription topical cortisone ointment, which is a common treatment for reducing the inflammation and itching associated with psoriasis. For more severe areas, she applies a prescription-strength corticosteroid.
Enhancing Absorption: Her dermatologist recommended the occlusion method (wrapping the area in plastic wrap) to increase the penetration and effectiveness of the medication, a practice supported by some dermatologists for specific cases.
Over-the-Counter Options: Before turning to prescription-strength options, she has also tried numerous other creams, some of which may be over-the-counter, including those with seaweed-based ingredients.

Light Therapy (Phototherapy)

In addition to topical medication, Kim Kardashian has utilized light therapy to manage her psoriasis. In the past, she used an at-home light therapy system, sharing with followers that it significantly helped her clear up flare-ups.

How it Works: Phototherapy, or light therapy, involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of ultraviolet (UV) light, which can slow the growth of affected skin cells and reduce inflammation.
Types of UV Light: Medically-supervised phototherapy typically uses specific wavelengths, such as UVB, which have been shown to be effective. Kardashian's use of an at-home device aligns with this but it is important to note that medical phototherapy is performed under a doctor's care, unlike the use of tanning beds.

Systemic Medication and Dietary Considerations

For moderate to severe psoriasis, some individuals require systemic treatments, which work throughout the body. While Kardashian publicly contemplated taking medication in 2019, stating the disease had 'taken over her body,' no specific systemic medication has been confirmed in her public routine.

The Diet Connection: Interestingly, Kardashian's experience with diet has been significant. After adopting a restrictive diet for the 2022 Met Gala, she experienced a painful psoriasis flare-up and developed psoriatic arthritis after eating meat. She found relief after switching back to a plant-based diet, which she regularly follows.
The Spectrum of Systemic Medication: When topical treatments and light therapy are insufficient, dermatologists may prescribe systemic medications. These can include oral medications or injectable biologics, which target specific parts of the immune system.

Comparison of Psoriasis Treatments


Treatment Type	How It Works	Severity Level	Kim K's Use	Common Side Effects
Topical Corticosteroids	Reduces inflammation and slows skin cell turnover.	Mild to moderate. Often used for flare-ups.	Yes, uses with occlusion therapy.	Skin thinning, discoloration, irritation with long-term use.
Phototherapy (Light)	Exposes skin to UV light to slow skin cell growth.	Moderate to severe. Can be in-office or at-home.	Yes, used an at-home system.	Redness, burning, dryness, itching.
Systemic Biologics	Target specific parts of the immune system to interrupt the disease process.	Moderate to severe. Used when other treatments fail.	Not publicly confirmed. Considered it in 2019.	Increased risk of infection, injection site reactions.
Dietary Changes	Certain foods may trigger or worsen inflammation in some individuals.	Can help manage symptoms, not a standalone cure.	Yes, uses a plant-based diet.	No side effects, but changes require medical supervision.

Different Types of Psoriasis Medications

Depending on the severity and type of psoriasis, a doctor may recommend various medications. Treatment is highly individualized and may require a combination of approaches.

Topical Treatments

Vitamin D analogues: Synthetic forms of vitamin D, like calcipotriene and calcitriol, can slow skin cell growth.
Retinoids: Medications like tazarotene, derived from vitamin A, are available in gel or cream form to reduce inflammation.
Calcineurin inhibitors: Drugs such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus are helpful for sensitive skin areas but are not for long-term use.
Salicylic acid: A common ingredient in shampoos and scalp solutions that helps remove scales.
Coal tar: Available in various forms, coal tar can reduce itching, scaling, and inflammation.

Systemic Medications (Oral and Injectable)

Biologics: These are injected or infused medications that target specific immune responses. Examples include adalimumab (Humira), risankizumab-rzaa (Skyrizi), and secukinumab (Cosentyx).
Immunosuppressants: Methotrexate and cyclosporine suppress the immune system to slow skin cell turnover, but require careful monitoring for side effects.
Small Molecule Inhibitors: Oral drugs like apremilast (Otezla) inhibit specific molecules inside immune cells to reduce inflammation.

Conclusion

While the exact name of the prescription cream remains private, Kim Kardashian’s public sharing has provided insight into her multi-pronged approach to managing psoriasis. Her regimen includes topical cortisone creams, often with occlusion therapy for enhanced efficacy, and light therapy. Additionally, her experience highlights the important role of lifestyle factors, such as diet, in managing an autoimmune condition like psoriasis. For anyone living with this chronic condition, her case serves as a powerful reminder that treatment is often a combination of prescribed medication, complementary therapies, and personal vigilance, always under the guidance of a dermatologist. What works for one individual is not a universal solution, and exploring the full spectrum of options with a healthcare provider is essential. For further information and support, the National Psoriasis Foundation is a valuable resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no public information confirming that Kim Kardashian uses a biologic medication for her psoriasis. While she mentioned considering systemic medication in 2019 during a severe flare, her more recent updates primarily focus on topical treatments, light therapy, and diet.

Occlusion therapy is a dermatological technique that involves covering skin after applying a topical medication. Kim Kardashian uses it by applying a prescription cortisone cream to a psoriasis patch and then covering it with plastic wrap while she sleeps to enhance the medication's absorption.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, and some people find that certain dietary changes can help manage symptoms. A plant-based diet is often rich in anti-inflammatory foods. Kim Kardashian has stated that a plant-based diet helps her manage her symptoms, though a restrictive meat-inclusive diet led to a flare-up.

Medically-supervised light therapy, or phototherapy, is a standard treatment for psoriasis and can be safe and effective under a doctor's care. However, using tanning beds is not supported by the National Psoriasis Foundation due to different UV light types and increased cancer risk. Kim Kardashian used a specific at-home device recommended to her.

Yes, all medical treatments have potential side effects. Long-term use of topical steroids can cause skin thinning and discoloration. Phototherapy can cause skin dryness, redness, or burning. Systemic medications, if used, carry a risk of more serious side effects like increased infection risk.

Yes, Kim Kardashian has received a cortisone injection for her psoriasis in the past. She reported that it cleared her symptoms for several years, though they eventually returned.

Psoriasis treatment is highly individualized, and what works for Kim Kardashian may not be suitable for everyone. It is essential to consult with a board-certified dermatologist to receive a proper diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and medical history.