Stretch marks are to be expected for pregnant mamas. Even with the best belly balm on hand, genetics may still insist on giving you a few new lines by the time you deliver your little bundle of joy. Some ladies prefer to think of them as tiger stripes or beauty marks.

While there may not be a surefire way of avoiding stretch marks, a good belly balm can certainly help. Besides, your skin is sure to appreciate a little extra conditioning on your growing belly. This area can become really itchy and irritated as it stretches and takes on its new shape. The best way to battle discomfort and scarring is to keep your belly well moisturized with skin-nourishing oils and butters.

I wasn’t very impressed with most of the commercial belly balms and butters that I looked into. They were often loaded with fillers like water, alcohol, and sometimes even petrolatum and mineral oil. (Yuck.) I developed this recipe to be the complete opposite, packed with intensely moisturizing ingredients, and full of good stuff like antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E.

This is a semi-soft balm that should glide onto your skin leaving a thick, buttery sheen. It is a bit heavy, but your growing belly needs that extra conditioning to remain supple.

I left this recipe unscented, so the primary aroma comes from Cocoa Butter, not at all an unpleasant thing to smell with your senstive pregnant nose. If you prefer, you could add a few drops of pregnancy-safe essential oil.

If you’ve found yourself to be sensitive to smells, I would recommend leaving this recipe as-is. If you make it, and you find that the natural smell bothers you, just re-melt the balm and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil that is safe for pregnant ladies. If the aroma of Cocoa Butter isn’t your thing, try swapping out the Organic Cocoa Butter in this recipe for Deodorized Cocoa Butter instead.

Cocoa Rose Hip Belly Balm
Makes about 5 ounces

Ingredients

• 30 grams Organic Beeswax
• 10 grams Jojoba Esters, MP70
• 20 grams Organic Nilotica Shea Butter*
• 15 grams Organic Cocoa Butter
• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch, Arrowroot, or Dry-Flo
• 25 grams Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil
• 25 grams Organic Virgin Argan Oil
• 20 grams Organic Emu Oil, Ultra
• 10 grams Vitamin E Oil, 400

*Note: Nilotica Shea Butter is considerably softer than conventional Shea Butter. If you use conventional Shea for this recipe, I’d recommend adding an extra 5 – 10 grams of Carrier Oil to compensate for the difference in texture. 

Directions

1. Melt the Beeswax and Jojoba Esters together in a double boiler over medium to high heat.
2. When the waxes have fully melted, add the Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter. Heat with the wax for about twenty minutes, long enough to fully melt any micro-crystals that may be present in the butters.
3. Remove the double boiler from the heat, and allow it to cool for a minute or two.
4. Mix the Cornstarch (or Arrowroot/Dry-Flo) with the Rosehip Oil to form a slurry. When it has filly mixed together, add the Camellia, Emu, and Vitamin E Oil as well.
5. Add the oil mixture to the double boiler. Stir well to combine the ingredients, making sure that everything is fully melted and blended together.
6. Pour the mixture into two stick tube (deodorant) containers. The mixture should fill them each about 3/4 of the way.
7. Allow the balm to cool and harden completely before using.

Usage and Packaging

This balm is excellent for use in stick tube containers. It is a little too greasy to handle directly, and a bit too firm for a jar. Glide the stick of balm gently over your belly, then softly smooth the balm into your skin in a circular motion. Repeat daily, or as needed. 

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