During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes. The most common and notable changes include nausea, fatigue, sore breasts, mood swings, and frequent urination. However, pregnancy’s effect on the skin is often overlooked. Research shows that up to 90 percent of pregnant women will have skin changes, including dry lips, some mild and some more severe.
Experts in This Article
Dr. Munira Dudhbhai is Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
During pregnancy, you may notice your skin is more flaky than usual, or you may get patches of dry skin that don’t improve with your daily routine. Dryness can affect your entire face and can also concentrate in specific areas like the lips. Luckily, there’s an explanation for dry skin during pregnancy; better yet, it doesn’t have to be permanent. Ahead, we talk to Tarek Shaath, MD, FAAD, and Munira Dudhbhai, MD, FACOD, and the founder of Lewisville Women’s Care, who break down the causes of dry skin during pregnancy and what to do about them.
What causes dry skin during pregnancy?
“Hormonal fluctuations, changes in blood volume, and increased nutritional demands during pregnancy can collectively contribute to dry skin and lips [during pregnancy],” says Dudhbhai. These hormonal changes can lead to decreased oil production, contributing to dry skin, explains Shaath, medical director of Care Dermatology. “Increased blood flow to the skin can contribute to dryness,” Shaath says.
How can you relieve dry lips during pregnancy?
Dry skin can create a snowball effect, resulting in other concerns like itchiness, redness, or sensitivity. Luckily, there are many effective remedies for dry skin during pregnancy. Dudhbhai recommends staying hydrated and using a humidifier, which puts moisture back into the air, preventing your skin from drying out.
Shaath recommends using a hypoallergenic lip balm with shea butter, beeswax, or coconut oil if your lips feel drier than usual. Our experts suggest avoiding products with potential irritants or harsh chemicals to prevent the risk of further dryness. If you’re specifically sensitive to fragrances, look for an unscented lip balm, which lowers the risk of irritation. Our experts say to opt for lip (and skin) products focusing on naturally derived, nourishing ingredients during pregnancy. So, the shorter the ingredient list, the better.
You should expect to see some changes in your skin throughout pregnancy. And while some dry skin is to be expected, you can treat and prevent it by incorporating these steps:
Using a lip balm frequently
In addition to maintaining a gentle skincare routine, Shaath recommends using a lip balm proactively, especially in dry or cold environments. The combination of pregnancy and dry or cold climates can cause your lips to become extremely chapped, so applying lip balm in the morning, throughout the day as needed, and before you go to bed should help combat this. However, balance is critical. Applying lip balm too frequently can have the opposite effect, further drying your lips.
Focusing on diet and hydration
Because dehydration can cause dry lips, Dudhbhai expresses the importance of staying hydrated throughout the day. Pregnant people should aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. “You should also try to eat foods rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin health,” says Dudhbhai. Hydration can also help if you get a dry throat or dry mouth during pregnancy, too.
When are dry lips a cause for concern?
“In general, dry lips alone are not a cause for concern,” says Dudhbhai. “However, if accompanied by severe dehydration, it could indicate an issue.” Severe dry lips could be an indicator of hyperemesis gravidarum, which is the term used to describe intense nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. According to Dudhbhai, symptoms of hyperemesis include severe nausea, frequent vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances. Women with hyperemesis may struggle to keep food and fluids down, leading to fatigue and weakness. In many cases, people suffering from hyperemesis may be hospitalized for further medical treatment. Therefore, you should speak to your doctor if you are dealing with frequent dry lips and showing hyperemesis symptoms.
Tips for staying hydrated during pregnancy
While dry lips can indicate a severe issue, it can often be remedied by simply increasing your water intake. Here are some tips on staying hydrated during pregnancy:
Sip water throughout the day
Throughout pregnancy, you should aim to sip water throughout the day. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding some fruit, flavored water, or decaffeinated tea to your diet. Generally, these liquids can help you stay energized and hydrated throughout the day, preventing dry lips and skin.
Eat more fruit and vegetables
Many fruits and vegetables contain adequate levels of water, which can supplement your diet and keep you hydrated throughout the day. Some good examples are cucumber, tomatoes, oranges, and watermelon.
Set reminders
When in doubt, set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to keep drinking water. You may want to set it to go off every hour.
Check your urine
Dudhbhai recommends that you monitor your urine color so you know if you’re staying hydrated. Pale yellow indicates proper hydration, so that’s what you should be aiming for. If your urine looks dark, then start increasing your water intake as well as your intake of fruits and vegetables. If you have any concerns, always consult your healthcare provider.
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This Is the One Product That Scarlett Johansson Always Keeps in Her Purse and on Her Bedside Table
This Is the One Product That Scarlett Johansson Always Keeps in Her Purse and on Her Bedside Table
When you think of Scarlett Johansson, the epitome of a picture-perfect movie star probably comes to mind. Everything from her red-carpet confidence to her glowy complexion seems flawless, effortless, and yes, a *bit* unattainable.
Well, about that glowy complexion... Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview Johansson at QVC's Master Beauty Class event, where she got candid about her skin. Turns out, she’s not as unrelatable as you’d think—she’s struggled with her complexion for much of her life. (Stars, they’re just like us.)
At just 12 years old, Johansson began dealing with acne—a journey that would last well into her 20s despite seeing countless dermatologists and trying every pimple-fighting product she could get her hands on. "At the time, the message was very much like, ‘If you have acne, you have dirty skin that needs to be cleaned,’" she says. "Back then, we didn't know anything about the skin barrier and the pH balance of your skin, and how important that was."
This lack of education created a vicious cycle for her: Harsh products dried out her skin, which only triggered more breakouts and irritation. It wasn’t until she decided to simplify her routine and switch to sensitive-skin products that she started to see a real difference. After spending a few months committed to this gentler approach, she watched her breakouts and irritation decrease for the first time in years—and she finally felt confident enough to skip foundation.
The experience completely shifted her outlook on skincare and inspired the creation of The Outset, the skincare brand she founded as a reflection of her own story and hard-earned philosophy. Each gentle, hydrating product in the collection is designed to support the skin barrier and keep things simple—exactly the kind of products she wished she'd had as a young adult.
I’m no stranger to the struggles of sensitive, acne-prone skin, so Johansson’s story hit close to home. Before we wrapped up our conversation, I had to ask one final question: Which product from The Outset do you find yourself reaching for the most? I assumed her answer would be one of the brand’s buzzy bestsellers, like the Collagen Prep Serum (which I swear by) or the viral Blue Clay Mask that hydrates while exfoliating.
To my surprise, her answer was neither: Johansson revealed that her most-loved product is the Barrier Rescue Balm, which has earned a permanent spot on her bedside table and in her purse.
Barrier Rescue Balm - $38
The Barrier Rescue Balm was originally formulated as a lip balm, but it’s much more versatile than that. Johansson coats it on her cuticles, the ends of her hair, dry patches on her knees and elbows—and even swipes it on her cheeks as a subtle, hydrating highlighter.
It’s also become a family favorite. "The other day, my daughter—she's 10—asked, 'Can I have the balm from your bag? My lips are so chapped,'' Johansson says. "So I gave it to her, and then my brother used it, and then I used it. My brother was like, ‘I should be videotaping this, it's great content.’"
Packed with nourishing ingredients like rose hip oil, jojoba oil, marula oil, and The Outset’s signature botanical hyaluronic acid, the Barrier Rescue Balm is formulated to hydrate and protect the skin’s barrier, making it the ultimate multitasker for dryness and irritation. Whether it’s protecting against harsh weather (these days, Johansson uses it to shield her children’s cheeks from the bitter New York temps), soothing cracked lips, softening rough patches, or adding a natural glow, this balm does it all.
So yes, when it comes to daily struggles like irritated skin, even stars like Scarlett Johansson are just like you. And you can be just like her by putting The Outset’s Barrier Rescue Balm (plus other favorites like the Night Cream or Travel Set) on permanent rotation. Your skin will feel deeply moisturized, soothed, and ready for anything—red carpet or otherwise.
Shop More Skincare From The Outset
Purifying Blue Clay Mask — $46
Supersize Night Cream & Cosmetic Bag — $95
Three-Piece Travel Set — $73
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Upgrade Your Winter Skincare Routine With These 6 Expert-Approved Products
Well+Good consulted experts to share products that will upgrade winter skincare routine. Goodbye, winter scaliness, and hello, hydrated skin.
Upgrade Your Winter Skincare Routine With These 6 Expert-Approved Products
Well+Good consulted experts to share products that will upgrade winter skincare routine. Goodbye, winter scaliness, and hello, hydrated skin.
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission
Winter isn’t kind to the skin. Extreme cold, harsh wind, and round-the-clock indoor heating can leave skin flaky, itchy, and angry—or, for the most sensitive among us, angrier. While dry skin is inevitable this time of year, a winter skincare routine can be your first line of defense against the one-two punch of moisture-depleting cold air and overactive heaters.
Experts in This Article
Skin Clique provider and certified nurse practitioner
Skin Clique CEO and founder
So which skincare products for winter should you consider? Well+Good consulted experts whose work is centered around skin—Skin Clique CEO and founder Sarah Allen, MD, and Skin Clique provider and certified nurse Sara Bullock, NP—to share products that will upgrade your winter skin routine. The following products prioritize hydration, which should come as no surprise if you have a solid understanding of how to prevent seasonal dryness. In the same way you would want to layer your clothes, you’ll also want to layer moisturizing ingredients on your skin—and many of the formulas ahead are fit for the task.
If your current rotation of skincare products isn’t cutting it, or you’re in search of expert-approved formulas, Dr. Allen and Bullock are helping you narrow down your choices. Scroll for products for your winter skincare routine.
Shop expert-approved products for winter skincare routine
Zo Gentle Cleanser — $50.00
A no-frills cleanser that won’t rub your skin the wrong way, the Zoe Gentle Cleanser is a silky formula that—as the name suggests—gently removes makeup and impurities without stripping your skin. It employs moisturizing and antioxidant-rich ingredients that promise to soften skin and support barrier function.
What an expert says: “In the wintertime, a gentle cleanser is a must. The Zo Gentle Cleanser helps me feel clean but not stripped,” — Dr. Allen
Hydrinity Eye Renew Complex — $120.00
The Hydrinity Eye Renew Complex moistures the skin around the eyes while reducing the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. It contains hyaluronic acid and a proprietary blend of peptides and antioxidants to fend off the effects of environmental damage and future signs of visible skin aging.
What an expert says: “I love this eye cream. The hyaluronic acid and peptide technology work together to increase hydration, decrease inflammation, and slow aging in the delicate skin under the eye,” — Dr. Allen
Lanolips 101 Ointment — $14.00
Starring lanolin, an occlusive that locks moisture in the skin, the Lanolips 101 Ointment provides a protective barrier and protects from moisture-depleting elements. It’s also infused with coconut oil and vitamin E to soothe chapped lips. Plus, you can use it on other areas of the body.
What an expert says: “I put this on my lips every night before bed—like a lip mask. Lanolin is the key ingredient here. It’s a natural, waxy substance derived from sheep’s wool that’s super hydrating and creates an occlusive barrier to lips so they don’t dry out overnight,” — Bullock
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Glow Face Shield SPF 50 — $49.00
Protect your skin from the sun while soaking it in hydration with the Colorescience Mineral Sunscreen. It’s formulated with moisturizing ingredients and broad-spectrum SPF 50 to safeguards against the effects of UV, pollution, and blue light. A bonus: the SPF is also water resistant for up to 40 minutes.
What an expert says: “Even though it’s winter, it’s not time to skimp on the sunscreen, whether on your neck, your chest, your face—anywhere that’s exposed. Sunscreen is the best prevention for any signs of aging. I mix Colorescience Glow and Colorescience All Calm for daily coverage. I finish it off with the Colorescience Brush-On Shield. Yes, you read that right—I wear three sunscreens daily and reapply throughout the day,” — Dr. Allen
Epionce Enriched Firming Mask — $42.00
If your skin is feeling especially dry, the Epionce Enriched Firming Mask can offer a healthy dose of hydration. Shea butter and nourishing plant oils make that possible, and ingredients like glycerin provide plumping moisture that your skin might have lost over time.
What an expert says: “This mask is so hydrating. It’s the perfect self- care moment but it’s also super nourishing for the skin. It has botanical oils and lipid rich extracts to support the skin’s natural barriers. It feels—and smells—amazing,” — Bullock
Omnilux Contour Light Therapy Mask — $395.00
The Omnilux Contour Mask brings the benefits of LED light therapy to your home. It uses a combination of red and near-infrared light to target fine lines, acne, uneven skin tone, and texture—and with continuous use, visible results.
What an expert says: “My theme for winter is self-care—and incorporating this LED mask into my routine encourages me to take 10 minutes to myself. Use this five times per week, and you will see improvement in pigment and all-over skin tone,” — Bullock
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