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Discover the best belly oils for pregnancy to reduce stretch marks
Pregnancy comes with a host of skin changes such as stretch marks and dryness, but there are belly oils you can use to protect your skin. You just need to find the best one!
Your belly’s skin can undergo a lot of changes when you get pregnant, with stretch marks being common. This happens because the skin stretches to accommodate your bump. Up to 90% of women get stretch marks when pregnant.
Some women also experience dryness and itchiness due to hormonal changes. The American Pregnancy Association recommends moisturizing your body to alleviate some of these symptoms. For that reason, you’ll want to invest in a quality belly oil for use during your pregnancy.
We’ve researched and identified some of the best pregnancy belly creams that can improve the appearance of stretch marks and reduce dryness. These are pregnancy-safe options if you want the best belly oil for pregnancy, and we hope you find one that best suits your needs and unique situation.
Read more: Explore the best breast pumps to make breastfeeding easier
Explore our picks for the best belly oils for pregnancy
Best overall
Pros & Cons
Great for all skin types
Lightweight and absorbs quickly
Gives skin a luminous look
Strong scent for some users
Users claim it may not be effective on dark skin
Made for all skin types, the Bio-Oil Skincare Body Oil helps reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, dark spots and other skin blemishes. This fast-absorbing, non-comedogenic formula doesn't clog pores and helps the skin retain moisture to prevent dryness.
Bio-Oil body oil has natural chamomile and lavender oil to calm and soothe the skin and vitamin E to maintain healthy-looking skin.
Best for hydration
Pros & Cons
Quick-drying with no grease
Plant-derived, vegan and gluten-free
More expensive than other options
Hatch Belly Oil is designed to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. It supports skin elasticity and supplies nutrients such as vitamin E to the skin.
This quick-drying formula contains calming botanicals, such as calendula, grapefruit oil and sweet almond oil, to soothe irritation, rashes and itchiness. Apart from your belly, you can apply it to any part of your body, from head to toe.
Best for sensitive skin
Pros & Cons
Soothes itchy skin
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Easy to use
Smell is intolerable for some users
Bottle leaks when traveling with it
If you have sensitive skin, this Pipette Belly Oil Body Moisturizer For Mom makes a great pick to add to your bathroom cabinet. It’s hypoallergenic, fast-absorbing and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
This oil contains winter cherry extract and calendula to minimize itchiness and soothe sensitive spots, while vitamin E helps to lock in moisture for ample skin softness and hydration. It also has 100% sugarcane-derived squalane for weightless moisture.
Best budget pick
Pros & Cons
Refreshing lemon scent
High absorption
Flimsy packaging
For a budget-friendly pregnancy belly cream, this Burt's Bees Body Oil won’t hurt your wallet. It contains vitamin E, which offers antioxidant properties, while citrus limon (lemon) peel oil soothes your skin.
The Burt's Bees Body Oil features reconditioning properties to soften and smoothen your skin. You can apply it directly on your skin after a shower or add it to your bath water.
Best organic option
Pros & Cons
Natural and organic ingredients
Unscented formula
Great for sensitive skin
Feels greasy on skin
Pump may not be user-friendly
The Honest Glow on Body Oil makes an impressive pick if you’re looking for an organic pregnancy stretch mark oil. It’s made of coconut oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, olive fruit oil, avocado oil and Matricaria extract to deliver a plant-based oil for everyday use.
This hypoallergenic oil is specially formulated for stretch mark-prone skin and hydrates and calms skin naturally. Simply add a few drops to your baby bump and rub gently to moisturize and hydrate.
Best scent
Pros & Cons
Boasts a pleasant scent
Natural ingredients
May feel greasier than other formulas
If you want a scented lotion for a pregnant belly, the Weleda Stretch Mark Pregnancy Massage Oil is a great option with its light botanical scent, thanks to the soothing oils of rose, neroli, myrrh, and frankincense. It’s rich in vitamin E to minimize itching and also contains wheat germ, almond, and jojoba oils for skin elasticity.
It also has arnica extract to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. For the best results, apply the oil two to three times a day, from the onset of pregnancy up to the end of the breastfeeding period.
Best for stretch mark prevention
Pros & Cons
Organic belly oil
Reduces stretch marks
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Scent may be too strong for some
Bottle’s pump can be finicky
The Motherlove Pregnant Belly Oil stands out as the best stretch mark oil for pregnancy. It contains non-GMO apricot oil and other organic ingredients to prevent stretch marks, soothe itching, and nourish the skin.
Apart from your belly, you can apply this oil to your breasts and hips, too. It absorbs quickly to moisturize the skin, and you can apply as often as it’s needed.
Common questions on belly oil
Need to be sure before you commit to a specific oil? Here are some common questions and answers that will help you out.
When should I start using belly oil?
Belly oil can be used from the first trimester to prevent the appearance of skin changes during pregnancy. Your body will start changing before you know it, so starting the routine earlier is recommended
Keeping the belly skin and other body areas like breasts and hips moisturized from the beginning also helps prevent itching and dryness. If possible, speak to your health provider to determine the ideal oil to use, especially if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
How often should I moisturize my pregnant belly?
Once you start using belly oil, it’s advisable to apply it two to three times daily to keep your skin moisturized. Whether you have stretch marks or not, the oil can be essential to your skincare routine during pregnancy.
You can use the oil on your belly, thighs, chest, and hips every day. This helps increase skin elasticity and improve hydration. For the best results, apply it after taking a shower. A few drops of some oils can be added to your bath.
Does belly oil really help with stretch marks?
Yes, the right belly oil can prevent or reduce stretch marks. There are pregnancy belly oils specifically formulated to help with stretch marks. Most of them contain high-quality plant-based ingredients like coconut, lemon, apricot, avocado, shea butter and baobab oil.
These oils work by keeping your skin supple, soft and elastic, preventing the appearance of stretch marks. Do note that prevention is better than cure, so to minimize or prevent stretch marks, it’s advisable to start using oils early before your bump grows.
Which belly oil is the best?
Because some belly oil makers overpromise the results they deliver, it’s important to pick a high-quality product you can count on. Here are our top picks when it comes to the best belly oil for pregnancy.
Bio-Oil Skincare Body Oil (4.2 oz): This is our favorite as it’s made for all skin types and can help with scars and dark spots, in addition to stretch marks.
Motherlove Pregnant Belly Oil: This nourishes and soothes stretching skin to relieve itchiness and prevent stretch marks. It has apricot oil infused with five organic herbs—marshmallow root, rosehips, lavender, chamomile, and calendula.
Burt's Bees Body Oil: For less than $10, this Burt’s oil is a budget-friendly pick for everyday use. It’s rich in vitamin E, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Pipette Belly Oil Body Moisturizer For Mom: If you have sensitive skin, we recommend Pipette. It’s dermatologist-tested and made from natural ingredients.
For some, it’s important to buy body oils made from natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties made from natural ingredients. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to consult a dermatologist to help you pick the best belly oil for pregnancy.
Prices updated on 10/05/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Odinga Fanuel
With over nine years working within media, Odinga Fanuel is passionate about sharing reliable information with everyday readers. For Smart Shopper, Odinga specializes in writing about tech products, household appliances, travel, automotive and more.
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