My fellow pregnant ladies, I have found the holy grail of all belly oils and belly butters…keep reading 😉
Chances are if you are pregnant, something that may be on your mind once you start to see your growing belly begin to develop is STRETCH MARKS. Stretch marks are caused by the stretching of the dermis, often from rapid stretching of the skin. Stretch marks formed during pregnancy are most common on the belly, but also occur on the breasts, thighs, hips, butt and lower back.
Studies show that up to 90% of women will get some sort of stretch marks during their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. Also, if your mother had stretch marks, then you’re more likely to have them too, since genetics plays a role, lucky you! If you have a lighter complexion, you will tend to develop pinkish stretch marks. Darker-skinned women tend to get stretch marks that are lighter than their skin tone.
There are a lot of articles saying that you cannot prevent stretch marks from happening and there is no evidence that using creams or oils helps, but personally I don’t buy that! I believe that if you keep your rapidly growing skin supple and hydrated, it will improve skin elasticity and minimize the chances of getting them at least. I started early in my pregnancy, applying Zoe Organics belly oil to the common areas listed above starting around week 11. While I liked the oil, it didn’t wow me and it took a lot of oil from a tiny bottle to cover each area. I knew I was going to go through it fast and I also knew I wanted to try something different next time.
Enter Nature Bare Body Care. Nature Bare was kind enough to reach out and send me an 8oz. container of their Baby Belly Butter for growing bellies. I was super excited for it, especially after reading up on the simple, all-natural ingredients they use.
Ingredients: organic shea butter, mango butter, aloe vera, olive oil, avocado oil, rosehip seed oil, tamanu oil (avoid if you have a nut allergy), baobab oil, candelilla wax, bentonite clay, organic jojoba oil, radish root ferment (natural preservative).
Note: Tamanu oil is an oil derived from tree nuts and beware if you’re allergy sensitive. If you would like to have one without this ingredient, message them and they can make a custom order for you. How awesome is that?
When the 8 oz. container came, I couldn’t wait to dig in. When you first open the jar and look at it, it seems like more of a thick, whipped lotion cream than a butter, but once you smooth it on your skin…definitely a buttery feeling. This stuff is magical! A little goes a really long way which I love especially in comparison to my previous belly oil experience. The butter is super hydrating and soothing. I put it on after my evening shower and in the morning when I wake up, my skin is still very hydrated and soft. You can smell a bit of a clay odor, but the scent of shea and mango butter mostly overpowers it. There is no fragrance added. I already have some stretch marks on my hips so I’ve been focusing there as well. Heck, let’s just be honest, a few times now, I’ve put this all over my entire body. It’s that good! My skin has been drinking it up and loving this butter.
Highlighting a few of the powerful ingredients:
Shea Butter – One of the best emollients out there, keeps the skin moist and hydrated, stimulates the skins renewal process
Aloe Vera – Fights inflammation, regenerates skin tissues and restores moisture to skin
Olive oil – Incorporates four types of antioxidants that protect skin, antibacterial
Visit Nature Bare Body Care’s blog post here to read their recent post of the benefits of another powerful ingredient in the baby belly butter: Bentonite Clay
All of the ingredients together are a powerhouse of the very best pure plant extracts and natural ingredients for improving skin elasticity and preventing stretch marks before they occur.
The Nature Bare Body Care Story:
“Nature Bare Body Care was born out of a desire for premium natural products, made without artificial ingredients, unnecessary fillers, fragrances, dyes or soy. Created by a sustainability, environmentally and ingredient conscious Materials Engineer and MOM, we only use the “Bare” amount of ingredients and materials needed to produce and deliver high quality products to our customers.”
I love supporting small businesses that are ingredient conscious and that produce amazing, premium, natural products. I can’t wait to try some of their other popular products too like the hydrating hand butter for harsh hands.
Thanks for reading!
Lots of love and good health,
Tasha, The Non-Toxic Newbie
*Nature Bare Body Care provided Baby Belly Butter for Growing Bellies, however as always, all opinions expressed are my own.
non-toxic newbie 