Finding the best belly oil for pregnancy (or cream!) is like a rite of passage during your baby-growing journey. The search starts pretty much the moment you find out you’re pregnant, even though your belly won’t really start “stretching” for several more weeks. That soothing little rub each day reminds you of the amazing changes happening inside you, even if you can’t quite see it yet. (Despite the fact you might actually feel like you’ve been hit by a truck. We see you.)

If you’re not already in the moisturizing game, you may not even know where to start. That’s what we’re here for! So let’s jump in.

What is belly oil?

While any pregnancy-safe body oil offers hydration, belly oil is often specially formulated to support and moisturize the skin on your belly during pregnancy. It’s usually made from a blend of natural oils and boosted with nourishing ingredients that promote skin elasticity and hydration. Keeping skin supple as it stretches is the key to retaining its firmness and keep scarring to a minimum. (That said, stretch marks are part of being a human. Genetics play a big part and it’s important to be gentle on yourself!)

When selecting a belly oil, keep an eye out for these beneficial ingredients:

  1. Vitamin E: Known for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin E helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and aids in maintaining its elasticity.
  2. Sweet Almond Oil: This lightweight and easily absorbed oil helps moisturize and soothe the skin, preventing dryness and itching.
  3. Rosehip Seed Oil: Rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, which are considered essential fatty acids, rosehip seed oil acts as an anti-inflammatory and promotes skin regeneration. Along with stimulating collagen, it can also improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
  4. Jojoba Oil: Mimicking the skin’s natural oils, jojoba oil helps to balance moisture levels and provides nourishment without clogging pores.

Why should you use a belly oil for pregnancy?

More than just a soothing ritual, incorporating a belly oil into your daily skincare routine offer numerous benefits for your skin.

First and foremost, it provides much-needed hydration, especially since hormonal changes can often leave your skin feeling dry and itchy. By using belly oil, you can relieve discomfort and maintain a healthy moisture balance for your skin.

Another fantastic advantage is that belly oil helps improve skin elasticity, which is crucial as your belly expands throughout pregnancy. By enhancing your skin’s ability to stretch without damage, it actively works to prevent the formation of stretch marks. With regular application, (and by staying hydrated and gaining weight as steadily as possible) you can minimize the appearance of stretch marks and rock smoother, more supple skin.

Also, don’t forget skin is the largest organ in the human body. Along with taking a prenatal vitamin to support all the hard work your body is undertaking, belly oil is packed with nourishing oils that deliver essential nutrients to your skin. This nourishment is key to replenishing and rejuvenating your skin, supporting its natural healing process. As a result, your skin will feel baby soft and supple, allowing you to feel comfortable and confident in this gorgeous, ever-changing body of yours!

Of course oils can be tougher to incorporate into a skincare routine as they take a bit of time to absorb. And while there may come a day during pregnancy that you want nothing more than to be naked all day long, it’s not really an option on the regular. The strategy here is to apply right after a bath or shower when your skin is still moist. The oil will sink in faster and more thoroughly. You may still want to wait a minute or two before getting dressed or slipping into bed, but it does make a big difference!

The best oil for pregnant belly (and butt and thighs…)

As someone who has religiously oiled myself through two pregnancies and countless New England winters, I’ve got a wealth of personal favorites. (I also seemed to have come through relatively stretch mark-free, so maybe I was onto something.) Along with my own personal picks I’ve included other editor faves as well as recommendations from my fellow mamas via countless mom groups and chats. From lightweight and fast-absorbing to gel-like oils that melt as you apply, here are some highly recommended belly oil products to consider.

Best oil for pregnant belly

Earth Mama Belly Oil

Earth Mama

$21.99

Belly Oil

It’s no secret we love all things Earth Mama. Their longstanding commitment to safe, non-toxic products for mama and baby make them a go-to for pregnancy and beyond. (The less you have to worry about, the better, right?) Their affordable belly oil is no exception! Made with just a few herb-infused oils, it glides on beautifully and sinks right in to help hydrate and soothe itchiness. The scent (which is free of artificial fragrance) is super mild and suitable for even the most sensitive pregnancy noses. And full transparency–we love it even when we aren’t pregnant!

bio oil skincare oil

Bio-Oil

$12.99

Skincare Oil

With nearly 100K ratings on Amazon and a huge fanbase of folks who swear by its efficacy, you’ve likely run across the award-winning Bio-Oil Skincare Oil by now. The holy grail oil is a uniquely formulated blend of powerful, natural oils like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, chamomile, sunflower, and lavender Oil to reduce inflammation, improve elasticity and also help renew skin. Because of this, it’s used as both prevention and treatment for existing marks and scars in pregnancy and otherwise. (Many reviewers use it to treat acne scarring since it’s non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores. Who doesn’t love a good multi-tasker?) Not everyone loves the scent which can be described as faintly old-ladylike but it does fade quickly.

belly oil

Hatch

$58

Belly Oil

Not everyone is a fan of oils given their reputation for being greasy and pore-clogging. But forget what you’ve been told and hop on the bandwagon if you haven’t already. Super-hydrating and oh-so-indulgent, the right body oil can easily take the place of lotion or become the star of your moisturizing regimen. One of our favorites for pregnant bellies? Hatch Belly Oil. The easily-absorbed oil is rich in nutrients and quick-drying so you don’t have to stand around for ages waiting to get dressed and leaves skin feeling soft, supple and totally pampered. The non-greasy formula is made with soothing calendula to calm irritated skin, sweet almond oil to heal and hydrate and grapefruit peel to deliver a subtle, citrusy scent. And we have to say, it looks stunning on your dresser or countertop as well.

 

Natalist Belly Oil

Natalist

$35

Belly Oil

Full disclosure, I fell in love with this as a body oil over the winter when my dry winter skin threatened to send me over the edge. Packed with power-hydrators like organic argan oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and olive fruit oil it instantly makes skin feel hydrated and supple without feeling slick or heavy. It’s also a great option for moms with sensitive skin since it’s free from sulfates, fragrance and essential oils. (It also has no tree nut oils in case that’s a concern for you!) As someone who has struggled with eczema and mysterious reactions, my skin never has an issue with this one. And it’s safe once you’re breastfeeding as well!

Esker Belly oil

Esker

$75

Belly Oil Duo

Esker’s belly oil duo is the perfect way to love up on your pregnant belly day and night. (No surprise the company was founded by a pregnant-at-the-time mom!) The all natural duo is optimized for pregnancy with low-scent and fast absorbing moisture that not only sinks right in but lasts throughout the day to keep skin feeling soft and comfortable. They’re not at all greasy (almost silky, actually!) and made with organic ingredients.  Uplifting is formulated for morning application with energizing oils like ginger, ylang ylang and lemongrass which smells subtly bright and fresh. The Soothing oil contains lavender which brings calm and relaxation to the evening. 

Attitude Stretch Oil

Attitude

$14.29

Stretch Oil

EWG-verified and gently scented, this almond and argan oil based formula starts out more like a gel and melts as it becomes warmed by your skin. It’s soft and absorbent and with minimal ingredients (all of which are plant-based) which makes it a great option for anyone with sensitive skin.

 

EllaOla Nourishing Belly Oil

EllaOla

$40

Nourishing Belly Oil

If you’ve ever had a little one with eczema, chances are you’ve already heard of the organic, science-backed skincare from EllaOla. Their plant-based formulas can be described as nothing short of magic–so when they finally released a product for mamas we couldn’t have been more excited. (I mean, we’re totally happy to keep slathering ourselves in their baby cream, but still.) Developed by Harvard dermatologists and OBGYNs, their rich Nourishing Belly Oil is the dreamiest of all the oils on our list. It’s made from an impressive (and kind of fancy) list of just 15 ingredients including French marine algae (ooh la la!), Centella Asiatica (an herb that’s been used for centuries to heal wounds and treat skin conditions) and Vitamin C. The rich oil absorbs just beautifully and even though the bottle is on the smaller side, a little goes a long way. And it’s so gentle you can even use it on your face!

Honest Glow On Body Oil

Honest

$17.95

Glow On Body Oil

At an affordable price point, the Honest Glow On Body Oil offers a soothing and hydration you can apply with abandon. The unscented formula (which is great if you’re super sensitive to smells these days) is made from a plant-based blend of organic coconut, avocado and olive oils and goes on like a dream. Like all oils, we found it works best when used just after a shower or bath. And pro-tip! It’s also great when mixed into your favorite lotion to give a little moisturizing boost!

Evereden Golden Belly Serum

Evereden

$39

Golden Belly Serum

From the gorgeous packaging to the light rose and pear scent, Evereden’s Golden Belly Serum is a total treat. The formula itself is lightweight and non-greasy, packed with pregnancy-safe hydrators like Marula, Avocado and Coconut Oils as well as healing ingredients like Vitamin E, Passionfruit Oil and Rosehip Oil to help repair skin. It’s also nice to know that Evereden is relentlessly dedicated to formulating non-toxic and gentle products. Each and every one is free of harmful chemicals like phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde-releasers as well as over 2,000 natural ingredients that are known allergens or challenging to sensitive skin.