Vulvar Dryness: Why Your Vulva Feels Dry and Itchy, and What Helps

Vulvar dryness is dryness, itching or soreness of the outer genital skin: the labia, the clitoral hood and the skin around the vaginal opening. It often goes hand in hand with vaginal dryness after menopause, but it can also come from soaps, wipes and skin conditions that need their own treatment. Here is what causes a dry vulva, how to care for the skin, which moisturizers to choose, and when itching or white patches mean it’s time to see a doctor. For dryness inside the vagina, see our guide to vaginal dryness.

What is vulvar dryness?

Vulvar dryness is a dry, tight, itchy or sore feeling on the outside of the genitals rather than inside the vagina. The vulva includes the outer and inner lips (labia), the clitoris and the vestibule, the skin around the vaginal opening. This skin is thin and sensitive, so it reacts quickly to low hormones and to irritating products [1].

Women often describe it as chafing when walking, stinging when urine touches the skin, small paper-cut splits, or pain right at the entrance during sex. Searches such as “dry vulva skin itchy” or “labia dryness” usually describe this outer-skin problem.

What causes a dry vulva?

The most common causes are lower estrogen and contact with irritating products. Skin conditions are less common but important to recognize [1][2].

• Menopause and perimenopause: falling estrogen thins the vulvar and vaginal tissue. This is part of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) [3]. See vaginal dryness after menopause.
• Irritants: soap, bubble bath, shower gel, wet wipes, scented pads or panty liners, fabric conditioner and colored toilet paper can strip the skin’s natural barrier [1].
• Breastfeeding, some birth control and certain medicines lower estrogen or reduce moisture. See medications that cause vaginal dryness.
• Skin conditions: lichen sclerosus, lichen planus and eczema (dermatitis) can all cause dry, itchy vulvar skin and need diagnosis [2].
• Infections: a yeast infection usually causes itching with a thick discharge. Repeated “yeast infections” that don’t clear up can be a skin condition instead.
• Over-washing or shaving: washing more than once a day, scrubbing and shaving or waxing can irritate the skin [1].

How to care for dry vulvar skin

Gentle daily care is the foundation. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends treating the vulva like the skin of your face: wash less, avoid perfumes and moisturize often [1].

1. Wash once a day at most, with lukewarm water and your hand, not a washcloth or sponge.
2. Use a soap substitute, such as a plain emollient cream, instead of soap or shower gel.
3. Pat dry with a soft towel, then apply a thin layer of an unscented emollient.
4. Skip irritants: wipes, scented pads, bubble bath, douches, antiseptics and fabric conditioner.
5. Wear loose cotton underwear and sleep without underwear if you can.
6. Trim rather than shave pubic hair.
7. Apply a barrier before swimming or long walks if chafing or urine stinging is a problem.

Best moisturizer for a dry vulva

The best vulvar moisturizer is plain, unscented and free of fragrance, essential oils and botanical extracts. Dermatologists suggest avoiding long ingredient lists and perfumed products, because the vulva is prone to contact allergy [1].

Option	Good for	Notes
Plain emollient cream or ointment	Everyday dry, itchy outer skin	Apply after washing and as often as needed. Ointments protect more but feel greasier.
Petroleum jelly	A protective barrier against urine and chafing	Inexpensive; not for use with latex condoms.
Vaginal moisturizer labeled for external use	Dryness inside and outside	Many hyaluronic acid gels are labeled for both; check the label.
Lubricant	Friction during sex only	Doesn’t treat everyday dryness. See the best lubricant for menopause dryness.
Prescription vaginal estrogen	Moderate to severe dryness from menopause	Applied inside the vagina and, if advised, at the entrance. Ask your clinician [3].

Avoid products with fragrance, tea tree oil, menthol, warming agents and “tingling” ingredients. Some herbal creams, including tea tree and aloe vera products, are listed in NHS vulval-care leaflets as possible irritants [6]. Patch-test any new product on your inner arm first.

Is it lichen sclerosus?

If your vulva is itchy and the skin looks white, shiny, crinkled or thickened, see a clinician, because lichen sclerosus is a common cause in women over 50. According to the NHS, it causes itchy, pale patches that tear easily, can make sex painful, and is usually treated with a strong prescription steroid ointment [2].

• It isn’t an infection and can’t be passed to a partner.
• It can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. A strong steroid ointment usually relieves symptoms, followed by a weaker steroid or moisturizer to keep it settled [2].
• Early treatment matters, because untreated lichen sclerosus can scar and change the shape of the vulva. Regular check-ups are recommended.
• Moisturizers help but don’t replace treatment. Keep using an emollient alongside the prescribed ointment.

When to see a doctor

See a gynecologist, primary care clinician or dermatologist if:

• Itching or soreness lasts more than two weeks despite gentle care
• You see white, shiny, thickened or darker patches
• The skin splits, bleeds or you have sores or lumps
• Sex is painful at the entrance
• Treatments for “yeast infection” don’t help or symptoms keep coming back
• You have bleeding after menopause

Not sure how to bring it up? Read how to talk to your doctor about vaginal dryness.

Frequently asked questions

What causes a dry, itchy vulva?

The most common causes are lower estrogen around and after menopause and irritation from soaps, wipes, scented pads or fabric conditioner. Skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus and eczema are less common but need treatment, so see a clinician if itching lasts or the skin changes color or texture.

What is the best moisturizer for a dry vulva?

A plain, unscented emollient cream or ointment is the usual first choice, applied after washing and as needed. Petroleum jelly works as a barrier. Many hyaluronic acid vaginal gels are labeled for external use too. Avoid fragrance, essential oils and warming ingredients.

Can I put coconut oil on my vulva?

Some women find it soothing, but it isn’t sterile, can damage latex condoms and may not suit skin prone to yeast infections. A plain, unscented emollient is a more predictable choice. Stop any product that stings or itches.

Is vulvar dryness the same as vaginal atrophy?

Not exactly. Vaginal atrophy, now called genitourinary syndrome of menopause, describes thinning of both vulvar and vaginal tissue from low estrogen. Vulvar dryness is a symptom, and it can also come from irritants or skin conditions unrelated to menopause.

When should I worry about white patches on my vulva?

See a clinician for any white, shiny, crinkled or thickened patches. They can be a sign of lichen sclerosus, which is treatable with a prescription steroid ointment and should be checked regularly.

Related reading

• Vaginal dryness: causes, symptoms and relief
• Vaginal itching, burning and dryness
• How to choose a vaginal moisturizer
• Natural remedies for vaginal dryness
• What is vaginal atrophy?
• How to treat vaginal dryness: options compared

Sources

1. British Association of Dermatologists. Vulval skincare: patient information leaflet.
2. NHS. Lichen sclerosus.
3. The North American Menopause Society. The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement. Menopause. 2020;27(9):976–992.
4. Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal dryness.
5. Goetsch MF, Lim JY, Caughey AB. A practical solution for dyspareunia in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(30):3394–3400.
6. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. General care of vulval skin. Patient leaflet.

Educational content, not medical advice · Reviewed and updated October 29, 2026 by the Vaginal Dryness Relief Editorial Team · Medical disclaimer