10 of the best belly butters, balms and oils for your bump

Pregnant bellies are beautiful but also prone to stretch marks, itchy and dry skin as your tummy expands with your growing baby, so you’re going to need a great belly cream or oil to massage in to keep skin soft, supple and nourished (it’s a nice way to bond with your baby too!). Here are our 10 favourite product picks.

An important note:

Some of these products may include Vitamin A. While Vitamin A is important for skin integrity and function, it also plays a role in foetal development. Taking Vitamin A compounds orally has been shown to produce birth defects. However, when applied to the skin in early pregnancy, the risk is low. Despite the low risk, experts still suggest pregnant women avoid applying vitamin A-based formulations to their skin during early pregnancy. Please always check your product’s ingredients list and discuss with your health professional if you need further clarification.

 

1. Palmer’s Tummy Butter

Thick and creamy, your belly will love this little tub of rich cocoa butter and Vitamin E goodness. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks melts on contact with your skin and is great for your bump, breasts, hips and thighs during pregnancy to help prevent stretch marks and create super hydrated and smooth, itch-free skin. Full of lots of great ingredients such as argan oil, elastin, collagen, almond oil, shea butter and lavender oil.

RRP $15.99 (125g) available at most supermarkets, chemists and large retailers.

2. Bio-oil

This is one of the original favourites when it comes to preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. Bio-Oil is a combination of plant extracts and vitamins suspended in an oil base, it contains the ingredient PurCellin Oil which is what makes the consistency light and non-greasy, to help with higher absorption into the skin. Assessed and cleared for safe use during pregnancy, apply from the start of the second trimester to areas such as the abdomen, breasts, lower back, hips, buttocks and thighs.

RRP $24.95 (125ml) available at most supermarkets, chemists and large retailers.

3. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter

Luxurious and packed with a blend of organic oils such as avocado, rosehip, argan and sweet almond for increasing skin elasticity; plus nourishing shea butter for moisture; your skin is left feeling super soft. Helping to prevent the appearance of stretch marks with a lovely citrus scent, it’s suitable for all skin types, free from nasties and cruelty free.

$41.03 (4oz) available from Mio Skincare

4. Sukin BioNatural Skin Oil

Enriched with antioxidants and a nutrient rich blend of jojoba, tamanu, rosehip, avocado and carrot seed oils; this natural oil with deeply hydrate and improve the texture of the skin, help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks, and keep it supple. Added Vitamin C, E and F also help brighten and encourage healthy looking skin. Particularly great for your growing belly, but can be used anywhere on the body.

$15.95 (60ml) available from Sukin

5. Mummy’s Tummy Cream

This natural and indulgent stretch mark prevention cream goes on thick and buttery and then melts into an oil to hydrate and nourish the skin on a deeper level. Made from plant butters, omega essential oils, and other vitamin rich natural sources such as Kakadu plum (super high in vitamin C); it’s free from toxins so your belly (and baby!) will love it.

RRP $35 (200ml) available from skinjuice.com.au

6. Aesop Breathless

While not specifically aimed at pregnant women, this hydrating body treatment oil is intensely hydrating to maintain supple skin making it perfect for growing bumps. Packed with Vitamin E and nut oil extracts, it has a woody, light citrus scent and will nourish, soften and replenish dry skin.

$35 (100ml) available from Aesop

7. Gaia Belly Butter

Replenish your skin’s vital moisture, maintain suppleness and reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks with this deeply nourishing belly butter made from cocoa butter, organic shea butter, rosehip and wheat germ oils and pure essential oils. Use on your breasts and thighs as well as your bump from the moment it starts to grow until 12 weeks after birth.

$17.95 (150ml) from Gaia Skin Naturals

8. Mama Bee Belly Butter

This ultra rich belly butter from Burt’s Bees is a great moisturiser with its blend of cocoa, shea and jojoba butters. During pregnancy months it keeps skin healthy, hydrated and elastic with no nasties like phthalates, parabens, SLS or petrolatum. Spread it on thick!

$28.20 (185g) available from Biovea

9. Myrtle and Tuppence Elastic Belly Balm

Designed specifically to help stretch marks, this 100% organic belly balm is a skin rejuvenating blend of tamanu oil, coconut oil, tangerine and neroli essential oils. Tamanu oil has long been used in the islands for skin conditions, scars and stretch marks.

$29.95 (100ml) available from Myrtle & Tuppence

10. Mother to be Belly Balm

This super rich buttery treat is packed full of vitamin-rich nut oils, butters and waxes especially formulated to help lubricate the skin as the tummy expands during pregnancy. With regular use it may prevent stretch marks too. Highly concentrated, use sparingly and one tin should last throughout an entire pregnancy.

$23.70 (40ml) available from Bee Beauty

What belly butters did you use on your bump? Tell us on Facebook!