Best Products for Itchy Pregnancy Skin

Soaps can strip your skin of moisture, so they aren’t usually recommended for dry skin, but you still need something to cleanse your body when bathing. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash contains three types of ceramides to protect and restore your skin’s moisture barrier while soothing itchiness. It’s made specifically for itchy, sensitive skin and is free from harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates, so it’s safe for you and your growing baby. This body wash is thick, so some people do note that it can be tough to squeeze out of the bottle, and recommend storing it upside down to make the creamy wash flow out more easily. 

Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director, didn’t find this to be a major deterrent. “Because it was thick, I was able to use less of it which was not only cost-effective, but better for my skin.” Leah switched to CeraVe early in her pregnancy and noticed relief within a few weeks. She also noticed an improvement in her keratosis pilaris, a condition that causes patches of tiny bumps to form on the skin. “Within a few months of using CeraVe’s body wash, I noticed my skin was smoother,” Leah says. “The bumps didn’t disappear completely, but that small reduction made me feel a little more confident, which isn’t always easy to feel during pregnancy.” 

Sarah Darby, What to Expect’s Senior SEO Content Strategist, swears by CeraVe products for dry skin, both while pregnant and not pregnant, because the ingredients are gentle on her skin. “I also would use CeraVe on my belly in pregnancy,” she says. “While it didn't prevent stretch marks because I am super prone to them, it definitely provided relief from itching.”

Moms who love this body wash say it’s great for layering and follow up with CeraVe moisturizer post-shower, which contains many of the same soothing ingredients. Use this gentle cleanser if you want to kick-start your moisturizing routine and ease itchiness.

Size: 10 ounces

Eucerin is most often recommended by dermatologists, including Dr. Han, for soothing itchy skin during pregnancy. For an all-over lotion that will keep moisture locked in and alleviate dryness to prevent itchiness, Eucerin Skin-Calming Cream is a top choice. It’s fragrance-free, enriched with soothing oatmeal and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, so you can feel good about using it while pregnant. The formula is long-lasting and soaks in quickly, so it won’t leave you feeling sticky or greasy. With skin that’s extra-dry or extremely itchy, apply liberally after showering and reapply as needed for the best results. 

Some moms don’t love that this lotion comes in a tube instead of a pump because it makes application a bit tricky — squeezing a tube with a lotioned hand isn’t the easiest thing ever. However, moms do love that it’s affordable, easy to find and works well to soothe itchy pregnancy skin, so it’s worth the hassle.

Size: 8 to 14 ounces

Free from fragrances, preservatives, and dyes, Aquaphor is one of Dr. Han’s top suggestions for soothing itchy pregnancy skin. Aquaphor ointment contains a unique blend of petrolatum, mineral oil and glycerin that work together to soothe and protect the skin, reducing itching and promoting healing. These ingredients form a protective barrier over skin to lock moisture in, so many moms love using it right after showering. It’s especially great for expecting moms with eczema who may experience rough patches of irritation on the elbows, knees or hands, during pregnancy. Though it can be pretty sticky right out of the tube, once the ointment is rubbed into the skin thoroughly, the moisturizing relief lasts quite a while. Leah, who kept jars of the ointment around her house and in her car, would apply it right before bed so the sticky formula wouldn’t get in the way of her daily tasks.  

“My third trimester was timed to winter, when my skin is already prone to drying, itching, and cracking,” she shared. “Aquaphor’s ointment was the only thing that not only relieved the pain, but helped heal the cuts caused by the weather.”

Aquaphor is also a great multi-purpose moisturizer to have on hand postpartum. In fact, I’ve used it myself for a variety of purposes, including as a lip balm for soothing chapped cheeks and healing diaper rash, and it’s absolutely fabulous.

Size: 7 ounces

Oatmeal baths are often recommended for all sorts of itchy skin problems — eczema, insect bites, rashes, chickenpox, hives, and PUPPP — to soothe skin and reduce both redness and inflammation. The finely-milled oatmeal in the Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment’s gentle, fragrance-free formula provides temporary skin protection and relieves irritation and itching. This bath treatment comes in individual packets, so there’s no measuring required — just open it up, dump it in the tub, swirl it around, and you’re good to go. 

Many moms in the What to Expect found relief from soaking in an Aveeno oatmeal bath. Unlike many others,  it’s unscented so it might be one of the few ways to enjoy a bath while pregnant without overwhelming your sensitive nose — although note that it does still have a slight smell.

Just make sure that your bath water isn’t too hot, as that can lead to excess dryness. Also, use caution getting in and out of the bathtub, as the leftover powder can remain in the tub bottom and make it slippery. Instead of using this in the bathtub, some moms use it to create a thick paste that can sit on top of damp skin to provide itch relief during pregnancy. 

Quantity: 8 single-use bath packets

The top suggestion by far for itchy pregnancy skin from moms in the What to Expect community is coconut oil. It’s easy to find, inexpensive, natural and really works. Plus, any mom must-have that multitasks can be a godsend. Coconut oil is one such product, and if you haven’t yet discovered its wonders, be prepared to buy a Costco-sized jar on your next grocery run. Make sure the coconut oil you pick up at the grocery store, like Garden of Life's coconut oil, is organic, which means it’s safe for you (and your little one), with nothing extra added that could irritate your skin.

The cooking ingredient doubles as an anti-itch treatment during pregnancy, but many moms also use it as a nipple salve when breastfeeding and as a moisturizer or diaper rash treatment for babies. I used it as a go-to for cradle cap when my kids were babies, and I still keep it on hand as a moisturizer for the whole family. 

Size: 29 ounces

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Tummy Butter is made with a blend of natural, gentle moisturizing ingredients, including vitamin E, shea butter and cocoa butter. All of these work to promote healing of the skin’s moisture barrier and reduce itching and inflammation. Plus, the simple ingredient list (and lack of fragrances, parabens and phthalates) makes it safe to use during pregnancy. This specially formulated ointment not only helps alleviate itch, but is also meant to help prevent stretch marks — and many moms in our What to Expect community say that it does. So, if you’re on the hunt for an anti-itch product that can help with stretch marks by keeping your belly lubricated and supple, this is a top pick. 

Though it’s meant to target the belly area — which can be especially helpful for those with a particularly itchy tummy as your skin stretches — you can also apply it anywhere your skin itches. Moms in our community love how hydrating it is for both their bellies and the rest of their bodies, and many appreciate how well it works on sensitive skin.

Size: 4.4 ounces

When your skin is itchy, cool sensations can help give you near-immediate relief. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead to try a cooling lotion with camphor or menthol, Sarna’s anti-itch lotion is one of the most-recommended picks from moms in our What to Expect Community because of how quickly it worked to soothe itching. The menthol and camphor in Sarna’s anti-itch lotion are often used to soothe eczema, psoriasis and poison ivy irritations, but they can also help with an extra-intense case of PUPPP. Just check with your doctor or dermatologist first if your skin is on the sensitive side, as the cooling ingredients can irritate some people. And, keep in mind that the scent can be strong, which might trigger your sensitive nose — although some moms found the quick relief worth it!

Size: 7.5 ounces

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil is typically recommended by dermatologists to help heal scars and reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but expecting moms love it for soothing pregnancy itching, too, because of how well it hydrates their skin. It contains moisturizing vitamin E and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t block pores like some other body oils. It’s more expensive than the other products on this list, but a little truly goes a long way, and moms report that it works well mixed with lotion, cream or body butter. This is also a great choice for itchiness on the belly and breasts because it’s also intended to help prevent stretch marks. Out of the bottle, it pours more like a serum than an oil, so it can be easily rubbed into the skin without leaving you greasy or oily, as some What to Expect moms say they do.

Size: 4.2 ounces

That pink lotion your mom used on you for chickenpox, poison ivy and other skin irritations also helps soothe extra-itchy pregnancy skin. Caladryl lotion contains both calamine and analgesic to soothe itching and pain. You can also find it in a spray bottle or simply pour the lotion into an empty spray pump to make applying it on large areas easier. Some moms mention that calamine works best when used in tandem with a heavier cream or some sort of oil over the top to lock in moisture. It’s also great to keep on hand with little ones around to put on bug bites or other itchy spots to keep kids from scratching.

Size: 6 ounces

When topical treatments only go so far to soothe itchy pregnancy skin, a cool mist humidifier can work wonders to keep skin hydrated as they “keep the air from being too dry in your home,” Dr. Han explains. Not only will it boost your skin’s moisture level as you sleep, but it’ll come in handy later on to use if your baby has a stuffy nose, dry skin or eczema. The Crane Ultrasonic Cool-Mist Drop Shape Humidifier is easy to fill and clean, so it’s perfect for having on hand when you need to add extra moisture to the air. 

I have had a Crane humidifier like this one for about eight years, and it’s still going strong through two kids and many, many late nights with congestion. It’s a bit bulky though, so you may have to clear off some space on your nightstand if you want to keep it right next to you while you sleep. If you’re looking for a more long-term option to avoid dry skin and keep itchiness at bay, moms in our community agree that a humidifier is worth the investment, as you’ll likely use it for years to come with your little one. 

Dimensions: 9.75 x 9.75 x 14.25 inches