I had a question recently from someone who wanted to know my thoughts on keeping pregnancy stretchmarks at bay. Because I truly believe that a large part of it is genetics, I have my Mom to thank for my luck so far (as I knock on wood ... we still have approximately seven weeks left!). But, always one to overprepare, I have also built up an arsenal of products that I rotate through in order to keep my skin moisturized and healthy.
I've always been a big fan of using oils in the winter months for moisturizing, and I just felt with this pregnancy that I wanted to fully go the oil route for the skin on and around my belly as it grew and stretched to make room for Baby Girl. Here are the four oils that I've been rotating, and a few notes on each.
Bath Junkie Olive-Me Body Oil
This oil spreads so well and is definitely the easiest with the pump! As you can see, I've flown through this one. Once it's done, I'm going to reuse the bottle for one of the other oils due to the convenience of the pump. Bath Junkie is a very small franchise and they have a few locations in Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina (locations). You can also order online! I went to the location in Asheville -- it's in the Grove Arcade. The Olive-Me line is paraben free and there are TONS of different combos you can put together for your own customized scent. I went with pink grapefruit with a touch of vanilla added in, and it's heavenly. The bottles are $19.25, so not the cheapest, but it is my favorite oil to use.
Palmer's Moisturizing Body Oil
You can find this one at just about any drugstore. I love the cocoa butter scent -- but whoa nelly it comes out of the bottle quickly. Drugstore.com has it on sale for $4.39 currently (here).
The Body Shop Sweet Lemon Beautifying Oil
I feel like this oil is the lightest of the bunch, but the smell is delicious. Plus, it was on major sale in my store. They are normally $14, and the Sweet Lemon scent I chose was on sale for less than $5. They do have a ton of other available scents like their signature satsuma scent (love it) and another scent of theirs I love, pink grapefruit. The oils are all here if you are interested, and I saw today they are offering free shipping with any purchase.
Belli Elasticity Belly Oil
This was a recommendation from two girlfriends, and I've seen it at a lot of our nicer maternity stores. I found mine on eBay and you can also purchase from Amazon (here). It's going to be the most expensive of the bunch ($30-40 depending on where you buy it) but I use it sparingly and as more of a luxurious treat. Because of the lavender smell, it's my favorite oil to use at night before bed. I just feel like it's really calming, and Ian loves the smell of it too.
Remember that when it comes to moisturizing to prevent stretch marks, you don't just want to focus on the tummy -- there are a lot of other expanding areas too :) Your chest, your hips, your buns, your thighs -- all good places to keep nice and oiled up! I use my oils twice a day; in the morning -- right out of the shower -- and also at night before getting into bed.
I'd love to hear about your favorite moisturizers and what you use to keep your skin healthy!
Great review, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review. I'm not currently pregnant but am intrigued by what you said about using oils during the wintertime. Do you just put it on after you shower in place of lotion? I'm a freak about putting lotion on every time I get out of the shower so my skin stays super hydrated. What oil do you recommend for all over your body?
ReplyDeleteI love coconut oil for a natural moisturizer! It has so many uses, and I think I've tried most of them.I loved using it after my second pregnancy, although I don't really have any stretch marks. It's supposed to combat cellulite, too.
ReplyDeleteI have loved trying different oils throughout this pregnancy. I love coconut oil and the palmers has such a yummy scent to it!
ReplyDeletepinning this for the future!! xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeleteI've been using the Mustela lotion that I bought at Nordstrom. Pricey at $46/bottle but I wasn't taking any chances! :)
ReplyDeleteI also like the Mamma Mio oil and butter. Also pricey, but nice. Second on the Belli oil smell-good stuff! I also really like the body shop Shea body butter which has a light smell and I feel like really lasts all day/night without being as greasy! Finally, whole foods sells a line of whipped scented Shea butters which are also nice but more oily.
ReplyDeleteGood to know for future reference, although I've heard that stretch marks actually start on the inside and that creams and things won't prevent them?? Who knows the truth anymore!? Ha.
ReplyDeleteAs a mother who is about to have her 3rd, I will say it IS genetics primarily. Lotion or oils can do little to help that if you have the stretch mark genes. I got lucky too...my mom didn't get any and I did get a small one on my belly button and a couple on my sides, but they disappear when I'm back in shape and my skin isn't wrinkled at all. I do use lotion and oils to prevent the itching that happens late in pregnancy though!
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I second the interest in how you use oils instead of lotion in the winter. Do you just put it on after a shower. My skin was really dry this season so I might need to change up my lotion routine.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these. I am hoping that I will get to use them for this purpose in the near future!!
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