Homeopathy for dry skin: an alternative to corticosteroids

Naomi’s son Max had battled with severe dryness and redness on his face since he was three. Since starting school, he wasn’t just contending with his skin – he also had to contend with the cruelty of his classmates, who bullied and isolated him.

Max was now five, and over the last two years Naomi had taken him to a series of doctors appointments, during which he was prescribed topical steroids, antibiotics, and given ointments to put on his skin. None of it worked. Max was in a constant state of stress from his skin and the treatment he was receiving at school.

Max’s story isn’t uncommon. Studies show that kids between the ages of one and five are most susceptible, and in Hong Kong dry skin conditions are common - estimated that they affect 30% of kids, compared to only 17% of children in the US.

Stress is a known trigger for skin conditions, so the bullying he was subject to at school was keeping him trapped in a cycle of stress and diminished skin health. People with dry skin conditions are at significantly higher risk of developing anxiety and depression.

Not only is emotional health a trigger for skin problems – physical stressors can impact the skin too and Hong Kong is whiplash for your skin. The shift from heat and humidity outside, to dry air conditioned environments indoors.

Air pollution strips your natural pool of oils and lipids in the skin, which usually function as a protective barrier against dryness. With Hong Kong named as one of the top 10 most polluted cities in 2025, it’s no surprise so many of us struggle with skin dryness.

Oxidative stress is the main pathway by which pollution damages skin and impairs collagen production and wound healing, preventing dry skin from healing effectively. Similarly, UV and sun exposure can lead to skin barrier damage.

Where conventional treatment falls down: topical steroid withdrawal

If you’ve gone to the doctor with dry skin, you were probably prescribed a corticosteroid – the first line treatment for dry skin conditions, prescribed to both children and adults.

In recent years, online advocacy work has raised awareness around topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)) – a disabling consequence of long-term use of corticosteroids.

Topical steroid addiction (TSA) precedes withdrawal, and can be identified as stronger and stronger strengths are needed to ameliorate skin health, or prevent flare ups. When you stop applying the corticosteroids, those experiencing TSA go into withdrawal, which is disabling. One sufferer in the UK tells The Guardian that during her withdrawal ‘Water felt like acid.”

The suggested prevalence of TSA and TSW varies widely, with studies citing between 12 – 79% incidence among people using topical steroids. Of those who experience TSW, 47% have suicidal thoughts. The severity of TSW is extremely concerning given the widespread prescription of topical steroids.

Homeopathy as an alternative treatment for dry skin

A study following 204 individuals with dry skin problems gave 125 of their participants either a topical or an oral homeopathic remedy. The other 79 received conventional treatment.

41.7% of the conventional treatment group experienced adverse reactions in response to their therapy, compared with 26.4% of the homeopathic group.

After 6 months of treatment, 54.4% of those from the homeopathic group were completely recovered, or had experienced major improvement, compared to 41.7% of the conventional treatment group. After 2 years, those numbers increased to 59.2% and 43.1% respectively. Overall the group receiving homeopathic treatment had better outcomes, fewer side effects and better overall satisfaction in regards to their treatment.

How homeopathy helped heal Max’s skin

Naomi brought Max to see homeopathic doctor, Manisha Khiani. She took careful note of his constitution which would enable her to identify the right remedy to resolve his skin issues. “In TCM and homeopathy, physical health and emotional stress aren’t just in your head, they actively change your physiology. Homeopathy views emotional triggers like grief, anger and fear as the primary causes for physical illness,” explains Dr Manisha.

Manisha observed that Max was loving and caring with his parents and younger sibling. He was sensitive to rudeness and scared of the dark. He was artistic, possessed a natural talent for music and loved to sing.

“After careful analysis, I gave Max Phosphorus, which is a remedy well suited to sensitive and artistic individuals. The ongoing bullying made the case challenging, as the stress caused by the cruelty of his classmates kept triggering his skin, acting as a stumbling block to his healing,” says Dr Manisha.

“Within two months, Max’s redness reduced by over 70%, and dryness reduced by 40%. After three months, his dryness and redness was reduced by 80%. I advised his parents to get him counselling to support his mental health, and over time Max appeared calmer and more confident,” she adds.

Dr Manisha stresses the importance of a personalised remedy. “Even if two people experience the same physical symptom, like a headache, if the origin for one person is anger, and for the other it’s anxiety, they’ll require a different remedy,” she adds.

Dry skin and anger: Marta’s story

Take Marta for example. Marta, aged 50 had been struggling with her skin for the last five years. She had painful symmetrical patches of dry skin on both sides of her body.

“When she came to see me, I enquired about her history, stress and emotions. What stood out was her estranged relationship with her son. There was a lack of respect in the relationship, and distance between them.”

Manisha also noted that Marta had a tendency for keeping her house neat and clean at all times.

Manisha converted these essential details into rubrics – the language of homeopathy: fastidious, suppressed anger, estranged from family. Once translated, this pointed towards the right remedy for Marta. Manisha selected the remedy Sepia.

Within three months, Marta’s redness, dryness and flakiness had reduced. After skin, all of her skin issues were completely resolved. “Taking the time to understand my clients’ emotions ensures that I get their remedy right so that they can heal,” says Dr Manisha.

In summary

Physical and emotional stress are closely linked to your skin’s health – and your emotional health can keep you trapped in an unhappy cycle of skin difficulties.

When finding a remedy to alleviate your skin concerns, homeopathy takes all of you into account, including your emotional wellbeing, which drives the identification of the right remedy for you.

Homeopathy provides a gentle, safe alternative with minimal side effects in order to break you out of cyclical skin problems.

References
M Green et al, Transepidermal water loss (TEWL): Environment and pollution – A systematic review, 2022.
IQ Air, October 27, 2025: Hong Kong among top 10 most polluted cities in the world, 2025.
D Haykal et al, The impact of pollution and climate change on skin health: mechanisms, protective strategies and future directions, 2025
J Gnaiger-Rathmanner et al, Petroleum: a series of 25 cases, 2008.
A Lowe, My topical steroid withdrawal: ‘Water felt like acid, my body was ablaze and I shed skin like a snake’, 2023.
M Jong, Homeopathic and conventional therapies for chronic skin diseases: a prospective study on effectiveness and safety, 2009.
A R Maskey et al, Breaking the cycle: a comprehensive exploration of topical steroid addiction and withdrawal, 2025.