Psoriasis in mammals is relieved by topically administering naphthalenes of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is lower alkoxy or optionally substituted phenoxy;R.sup.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted phenylalkyl;R.sup.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower-alkyl or optionally substituted phenyl-lower-alkoxy, and m is 1 or 2;X and Y are different and are either R.sup.4 or --C(O)W whereinR.sup.4 is lower alkyl or optionally substituted phenyl-lower-alkyl;W is --OR.sup.5 or --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7,whereinR.sup.5 is alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted benzyl; andR.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or optionally substituted phenyl.