DIY Belly Butter To Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks (easy, all natural)

Modified: Aug 14, 2024 · by Shelby Stover · This post may contain affiliate links · 32 Comments

Use this DIY belly butter to prevent pregnant belly stretch marks both during pregnancy as well as postpartum. This all-natural, DIY body butter with beeswax both nourishes and protects the skin as it stretches.

As well as this homemade belly butter recipe, learn the best tips to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy. Keep your skin silky, smooth, and stretch mark free with this DIY belly butter for pregnancy.

Close up of a womans pregnant belly holding a jar of homemade lotion in front of it

If you’re currently pregnant or expecting, you may be starting to wonder and question everything; like how to stay fit while pregnant or the mystery realm that is “stretch marks”. You’ve heard of them, seen them, and may want to avoid them if at all possible.

While I’d love to tell you there’s a magical formula for preventing pregnant belly stretch marks: there isn’t. Period. (So please don’t go buy the crazy expensive specific cream!). There is, however, a lot you can do to help your nourish your skin.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, aromatherapist, or an herbalist. I used this DIY belly butter during my own pregnancies and thought I'd share. Be sure to consult with a doctor before using essential oils while pregnant. Some of the essential oils can interfere with other issues and be made worse by pregnancy.

What Causes Pregnant Belly Stretch Marks

Pregnant belly stretch marks are caused by the skin becoming too tight and stretched around a belly during fast weight gain. It can also happen outside of pregnancy with any extreme gain. Stretch marks happen when the skin is pulled too far and too fast.

From everything I’ve learned about stretch marks, they occur due to three factors:

Genetics

Yes, I know. No one wants to hear that. There is a part (albeit very small) predetermined by your genetics and body type.

Elasticity Of Your Skin

If your skin is stretchy you’re less likely to push it past its limit and thus obtain pregnant belly stretch marks. Basically, it will have the ability to accommodate the stretch.

What you eat has a lot to do with your elasticity. Some foods, like vegetables and fruits, contain a lot of water and breakdown into a liquid- thus provide your skin with the building blocks it needs to stay bendy and stretchy.

Other foods, like processed foods, provide your body with building blocks it’s unable to break down and use. Dense foods like that don’t contribute well to the elasticity of your skin because they don’t break down as they should.

Unfortunately, these changes need to take place before pregnancy also.
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Hydration

Hydrating your skin from the outside and the inside helps improves its ability to stretch. Drinking water is a crucial habit that is so underestimated when it comes to glowing skin!

Making sure you stay hydrated throughout your pregnancy is one of the keys to keeping your skin healthy and able to stretch. If you’re in a chronic state of dehydration (no fruit juices, sodas, and unicorn fraps don’t count as proper hydration) your body won’t have the ability to stretch around your growing belly.

So buy a new water bottle (BRK water bottles are the best ones!), write a sticky note, or do whatever you need to get more water in (here's a few tips to drink more water!).

You can also keep your skin hydrated from the outside- which is where this homemade belly butter with beeswax comes in. Giving your skin healthy nutrients and lots of lubricants can help prevent pregnant belly stretch marks.

Pinterest image with text: pregnancy belly with hand holding diy belly butter in front of it. Second image is belly butter in a jar with essential oils

So as you can see, there isn’t a “one cream fixes all” when it comes to pregnant belly stretch marks (sorry!). Outside of genetics, it takes a fair amount of work and consistency to fuel your body with the blocks it needs to do its job.

Below is the DIY belly butter and routine that I use during pregnancy. With my first daughter, I walked away stretch mark free and the same occurred with my second. So, fingers crossed for you too!

My DIY Belly Butter Routine

I applied this homemade stretch mark cream to my belly, breasts, and hips every single night before I went to bed (or directly after a shower as its most absorbed when your skin is wet).

This means I went to bed like a grease ball every single night for nine months (no joke). I made sure I had only three shirts I wore to bed because the oil in the butters definitely stains them (read more about the do's and don'ts of homemade body butters). But yes, my skin had never felt so silky.

That said, I also drink 2.5+ liters of water each day and eat *mostly* healthy, nutrient-dense food. It’s all about your habits ladies, consistency is key.

Woman's pregnant belly and her hand holding a homemade lotion next toi it.

The Essential Oils Used In The DIY Belly Butter

There is so much information surrounding essential oils, especially during pregnancy that I urge you to do your own research.

Instead of listening to the actual companies selling Lea Jacobson Using Essential Oils Safely essential oils, I have gather much of my information from. A certified aromatherapist and essential oil expert. She runs the group and has amazing resources. Likewise, she doesn't associate with a brand. She has an unbiased opinion and wants people to use the oils safely.

Thus, below are the essential oils that I felt comfortable using in my DIY belly butter. But I urge you to do your own research. There has especially been some misleading news surrounding helichrysum when pregnant. I personally feel comfortable using it but you may not.

Lavender Essential Oil – this is one of those “cure-alls”. Lavender treats rashes, dark spots, and inflammation and helps fade scars. I personally use it in my DIY Face Toner.

Frankincense Essential Oil – is a little bottle of gold. It’s been shown to have immense healing properties and even anti-scaring ones.

Lemon Essential Oil – this oil is an astringent and helps prevent aging and acne when used as a toner. It also brightens the skin which is perfect for stretch mark prevention.

Helichrysum Essential Oil– This essential oils helps nourish elasticity and improve cell and tissue regeneration.

Tip: this homemade belly butter is still effective without the essential oils. So, if you're concerned about using oils while pregnant, skip them and just make the DIY belly butter!

Side note: If you just ant to grab something I would rock this tallow butter from Perma Earth. Tallow is gold for healing and supporting skin.

Ingredients in DIY Belly Butter

almond oil
avocado oil
shea butter
coconut oil
beeswax
lavender
lemon
frankincense
helichrysum

Check out my favorite brands for DIY products or hit up my Amazon Store.

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Close up of a womans pregnant belly holding a jar of homemade lotion in front of it with text above the image.

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Homemade Belly Butter To prevent Stretch Marks

A simple, DIY body butter recipe for pregnant belly stretch marks. Can be used during pregnancy and postpartum.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 1 25

Servings small jars

Author Shelby Stover

Ingredients

2 tbs almond oil
1 tbs avocado oil
2 tbs organic shae butter
2 tbs coconut oil
2 tbs beeswax
8 drops lavender essential oil
8 drops lemon essential oil
5 frankincense essential oil
8 drops helichrysum essential oil

Instructions

In a double boiler, combine all ingredients except essential oils.
Heat over medium until beeswax is fully melted and combined.
Remove from heat, pour into a small glass jar and whisk in oils.
Let sit at room temperature for fifteen to twenty four hours.

Video

Notes