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I’m no stranger to dry skin during the cold months — including slight peeling on my face and white ashiness on my knees—but about two winters ago I experienced an unparalleled level of uncomfortable dryness around my nipples and areolas. I thought that was bad, until 2024 when I was pregnant and one of the many bizarre pregnancy side effects I experienced was dryness and itching around my areolas.
And just when I thought it couldn't get worse, it did. The early days of postpartum and breastfeeding my daughter brought even more dryness and itching in that area than I could bare. If you're reading this, chances are you've experienced a similar itchy dilemma, for any number of reasons.
Experts say the issue is not uncommon, and various factors can lead to dry and itchy skin around the nipples. "Dermatitis, excessive sweating, or even an uncomfortable bra" are a few of the common reasons for dry skin in the nipple area, says Kim Nichols, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut.
It may take a bit of guesswork to determine what exactly is causing your itchy boobs (more on that in a minute), but if the sensation is severe and causing a lot of discomfort, your first step should be to see a dermatologist to figure out exactly what is going on. For more minor cases, there are a handful of over-the-counter products and specific ingredients you can use to help soothe the dry, itchy skin on your breasts.
To help, we tapped board-certified dermatologists and an ob-gyn to explain how to know what's causing your discomfort—and how best to treat it.
Meet the experts:
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- Kim Nichols, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Greenwich, Connecticut.
- Elyse Love, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Hoosna Haque, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn in New York City.
- Mina Amin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.
What causes dry nipples and breasts?
It's important to note that nipple skin and breast skin are slightly different, though both have thinner skin than other areas of your body, making these places particularly prone to dryness and irritation. Nipple skin, as opposed to breast skin, "is hair-free, has more glands, and rests on smooth muscle. It has many nerve endings and can be [even more] sensitive," explains New York City-based ob-gyn Hoosna Haque.
One likely cause of dry skin around the nipples and breasts surprised me: "Not wearing a bra can potentially trigger some dryness if there's chafing of the nipple against the clothing," explains Elyse Love, a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist. Who would've thought freeing the nipple might actually dry it out?
On the flip side, wearing the wrong bra (both size and fabric) can also cause irritation from chafing. "You want to be careful of the fabric you're using and [avoid] harsh detergents," says Dr. Haque. Dermatologists recommend cotton bras and undergarments because they are less abrasive against the skin.
Other reasons for dry skin on your breasts and nipples could include cold or dry air, irritating fragrances or body products, and overly hot showers, say our dermatologists. Dr. Love also says eczema (a condition that causes the skin to become red, itchy, scaly, and inflamed) could be a possible diagnosis even if you've never had it before or don't have it anywhere else on your body.
"[The breast area] is not an uncommon place for eczema to appear. And it can occur in people who have had a history of eczema in different places over the years or it can happen because the skin gets dry or irritated, particularly this time of year when it's dry outside," says Dr. Love.
There can also be hormonal factors at play when it comes to dryness on the breasts. "Most of the time, when women experience [excessive] dryness in the nipple and areola area it's due to a hormonal imbalance—whether it's pregnancy or menopause," says Dr. Haque. She explains that the skin on and around the breasts can become dry or irritated during pregnancy due to an increase in progesterone and estrogen that can cause the skin to become thinner, making it increasingly susceptible to dryness. There can also be a fluctuation in these hormones for people who menstruate, leading to the same result.
The ins and outs of breastfeeding can also cause dryness and itching around the breasts—of course it'll be pretty easy to know if this is what's causing your irritation. “During breastfeeding, there are many reasons why irritation may occur. Poor latch, pumping issues (incorrect size of flanges), or trauma to the area can lead to skin breakdown,” says Mina Amin, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.
When should you see a dermatologist about dry nipples and breasts?
That depends. If the dryness you’re experiencing is recent, Dr. Love recommends asking yourself questions like, what's changed in my routine in the past week? Did I buy a new undergarment? Has the weather suddenly changed? But, as we said, if you are pregnant, nursing, or going through menopause, this could be a clear cause of dryness on your breasts, and Dr. Haque suggests sharing your symptoms with your ob-gyn.
Say the dryness and irritation aren't going away after two weeks of simple swaps like trading your satin bra for a cotton one. In this case, Dr. Love recommends seeing a dermatologist for more clarity. "Sometimes it can be helpful just to see a professional. Typically it's easier for us to connect the dots because we know the things to ask [about]," she says. A dermatologist will also be better able to determine if the dryness is, in fact, eczema and can provide a more targeted treatment.
What products can help treat dry nipples?
You don't need an entire skin-care routine dedicated to your boobs, but experts agree that you should be intentional with how you treat dryness in that area. "It is very sensitive, so it's an area that you want to be thoughtful about," says Dr. Love. The dermatologist recommends showering with gentle, fragrance-free cleansers like Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash and Aveeno Skin Relief body wash.
Another derm tip for combating dryness: "Within three minutes of getting out of the shower, apply moisturizer to the entire body," says Dr. Love. She explains that applying hydrating products while your skin is still a bit damp from the shower helps lock in moisture. Dr. Love also recommends using a thicker balm or cream on your breasts to maximize hydration. Her personal favorites for patients and herself include CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream, and Avene XeraCalm Lipid Replenishing Cream. (She is an ambassador for the latter brand.)
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Dove
Sensitive Skin Body Wash
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Aveeno
Skin Relief Body Wash
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Walmart
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Avène
XeraCalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Cream
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Dermstore
Eau Thermale Avène
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CeraVe
Moisturizing Cream
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Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Dr. Nichols says to look for products that include lanolin oil, like Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream.
"[Lanolin] restores moisture in the nipples by reducing water loss in the skin. It's derived from sheep's wool and is widely known for its natural moisturizing properties," she says.
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Aquaphor
Advanced Therapy Ointment Body Spray
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Walmart
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Lansinoh
Lanolin Nipple Cream
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Walmart
Pre-baby, I loved Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray. The spray applicator made it easy to cover my chest without getting messy. I would mist a light layer on my breasts after applying my lotion of choice and massage it in (this is a great time for a breast self-exam), focusing on areas of dryness. It's made a huge difference in keeping the skin on my breasts moisturized all day. But after having my daughter, the Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream is my go-to. I love how thick and emollient it is—plus it's safe for baby so no need to wipe it off before nursing.
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