Did you think your skin concerns would be over when you reached the end of adolescence?

For many of us, that’s not the case.

As an adult, not only can you still be dealing with acne, but a number of other skin conditions can crop up, such as rosacea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema), and more. Skin problems can be incredibly frustrating, regardless of your age.

In addition to all the various creams and prescription treatments out there, you’ve probably heard people mention all kinds of natural remedies to treat your chronic skin condition.

But how do you tell fact from fiction?

We’re here to help. Below, find expert-approved home remedies for eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and acne—as well as some remedies experts advise against (no matter how often you see it recommended).

1. Oatmeal

Recommended for: eczema, psoriasis,and other itchy skin conditions

In addition to being a nutritious breakfast, oatmeal can also be an effective treatment for any condition that makes your skin itch, such as eczema, psoriasis, and chronic dry skin, as well as work for more temporary skin irritants, like hives, insect bites, and sunburn.

So, how does it work? Start with uncooked, whole oats, which can usually be found at the grocery store. Grind them into a fine powder using a clean food processor.

Then, run a lukewarm (not hot) bath, adding about a cup of the ground-up oatmeal to the running water as the tub fills. Soak for 10-15 minutes. Then pat to dry and apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer—or one of the natural remedies described below—immediately afterwards.

2. Shea Butter

Recommended for: eczema and psoriasis

Shea butter comes from the kernels of shea trees which have been traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Research shows that shea butter can be effective at soothing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis (as well as dry skin in general).

3. Aloe Vera

Recommended for: eczema and psoriasis

Aloe vera is a plant with skin-healing properties. It can be effective in soothing skin damaged from many skin conditions. In particular, it can be useful for treating psoriasis on the scalp naturally. As a bonus fun fact, it can also be used as a natural soothing agent for sunburns.

4. Coconut Oil

Recommended for: eczema and psoriasis

Studies have shown that applying coconut oil can reduce the amount of staph bacteria on the skin, which reduces the chance of an infection due to eczema. And coconut oil for psoriasis of the scalp, in particular, can be helpful because of its moisturizing properties. Using “cold-pressed” or “virgin” oils is best, as this method does not use chemicals, which can be irritating to skin.

Apply once or twice a day to damp skin for best results. And do avoid coconut oil overall if you have acne.

5. Sunflower Oil

Recommended for: eczema and psoriasis

Sunflower oil, like sunflower seeds themselves, has anti-inflammatory properties as well as moisture-retaining properties. You should also apply this once or twice a day to damp skin for best results.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Recommended for: eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis

Tea tree oil can also help with inflammation and redness, making it ideal for a number of skin conditions. Try tea tree oil for psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, in particular, as it can help manage itchiness and flakiness.

One note is that we do recommend caution when using essential oils for psoriasis. Ensure you use a carrier oil, such as almond oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil to dilute it, and make sure you’re not allergic before spreading it over a large area of you skin.

7. Dietary Remedies

Recommended for: acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea

Yes, rumors are true: What you eat can help with your skin. Choose foods high in omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc, such as:

• Avocados
• Fatty fish
• Nuts, in particular, walnuts
• Sunflower seeds

You can also add Brazil nuts to your diet, for the selenium. Selenium reduces inflammation and helps prevent acne. Just be careful not to overdo it, as overdosing on selenium is not good for you—you need no more than two nuts per day. You should eat them raw, for maximum benefits.

Treating rosacea with food, in particular, can be effective. The rosacea diet treatment includes a lot of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

8. Vitamins and Supplements

Recommended for: acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea

Here are some over-the-counter vitamins and supplements that have been shown to help with skin conditions:

• Vitamin A (one of the best vitamins for acne)
• Vitamin D for psoriasis, in particular
• Fish Oil
• Prebiotics and Probiotics
• Selenium
• Turmeric—you can get this in supplement form, or spice form, to add to your food
• Primrose oil
• Zinc

Before adding any vitamins or supplements to your regimen, docheck with your healthcare provider to ensure nothing is harmful when taken in combination with any other medication you may be taking.

And the Home Remedies to Avoid

And here are some home remedies that experts do not recommend:

• Baking soda: This is sometimes touted as a natural skin exfoliator, but its pH is too high for your skin, and can cause irritation.
• Lactic Acid: While good for anti-aging, the lactic acid rosacea link is not well-established enough for us to recommend it—some say it can help the condition, but others say it can worsen it.
• Lemon juice: Often touted as helpful for redness and acne, dermatologists warn this is not the case. The acidity in lemon juice can eat away at skin’s protective barriers. Even worse, it can make skin more prone to sun damage.
• Mayonnaise: Skip the mayonnaise facials, especially if you have acne-prone skin. The oil and fat can clog up your pores and encourage skin bacteria to grow.
• Toothpaste: Who didn’t apply toothpaste to pimples as a teen? But sadly, we were misled. Toothpaste’s main ingredients—peroxide and baking soda—are skin irritants.
• Witch hazel: Though witch hazel does have natural anti-inflammatory properties, it’s often distilled by alcohol, which will dry out your skin.

As you see, there are a lot of home remedies out there that do work for chronic skin conditions, many of them for more than one. But make sure to do your research to ensure you’re using the right ones for your skin. When trying something new, carefully monitor how your skin reacts, as what could work for one person, may not work for another. And we always recommend talking to a doctor before starting any new treatment to make sure these suggestions are right for you.