10 Best Pregnancy-Safe Belly Oils, Vetted by Dermatologists

Our body changes a lot during pregnancy. The elastic fibers underneath the skin stretch gradually to keep up with the pace. Most women gain somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy, and this extra weight more often leads to stretch marks. Many pregnant women feel overwhelmed by the appearance of stretch marks on various parts of their bodies, especially on the belly. Luckily, there are some pregnancy-safe skincare products in the form of creams, lotions, and oils that you can use to keep the stretch marks at bay. For this article, our experts have dozens of belly oils on the market to sort out the safest options for pregnancy. 

During pregnancy, your safety and that of your baby should be on top of your mind. Unfortunately, the market is overflowing with many toxic skincare products, and picking the right option will take time and effort. This curated list of pregnancy belly oils will make your motherhood journey a little less stressful. Keep reading.

Are essential oils safe during pregnancy?

It is still unknown whether or not essential oils are harmful to pregnant women. That being said, you should be careful when it comes to using essential oils during pregnancy.

Most wellness professionals advise against putting essential oil directly on your body during the first trimester of pregnancy. Instead, you can use them as aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a safe option that can help ease your anxiety and support slumber during pregnancy.

However, some essential oils are likely safe to use during the second and third trimesters as long as they are properly diluted. These include:

• Lavender Oil
• Jasmine Oil
• Ylang-Ylang
• German and Roman Chamomile
• Rose Oil

Which essential oils to avoid while you’re pregnant?

Best Pregnancy-Safe Belly Oils

Our Top 3 Picks

Best Oil for Pregnancy Belly: ELEMIS Japanese Body Oil

The first product on our list is from a luxury British skincare brand, Elemis. This one is a premium-grade oil rich in plant collagen and nutrient-rich ingredients. The product is formulated with emollients like sweet almond and camellia oil to help maintain the elasticity and suppleness of your skin throughout pregnancy. The formula isn’t only safer but also has the potential to revitalize your skin and promote youthful charm.

The lightweight formula gets quickly absorbed, leaving your skin deeply moisturized and soft. The nice scent of camellia isn’t overpowering. Plus, it fades quickly.

Gentle on the skin, the body oil is a versatile product that you can use on your whole body. Even you can use it for aromatherapy during pregnancy. So not only does it work well in preventing the appearance of stretch marks, but this pregnancy-friendly belly oil is also great at keeping your mind upbeat and relaxed.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Camellia, and Sweet Almond oils | Scent: Japanese Camellia | Paraben-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Natural Oil for Pregnancy Belly: Weleda Body Oil

If you are looking for a natural oil for your pregnancy belly without breaking the bank, you can consider Weleda body oil. Even though it comes at a lower price, it performs exceptionally well like high-end brands.

Weleda body oil features a deeply nourishing formula without any questionable ingredients. This plant-rich oil works great when it comes to fading stretch marks. Most users reported that its light, natural scent goes well with dry, sensitive skin.

The best part is that Weleda body oil is certified by Nature as a natural skin care product and meets quality assurance standards. The ingredients are naturally sourced and do not contain any chemical additives or irritants such as artificial fragrances, preservatives, parabens, or phthalates. Application is easy, and you can apply the oil to the thighs, breasts, tummy, and bottom.

Key Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract | Scent: Light botanical scent | Paraben-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Belly Oil for Pregnancy Stretch Marks: Bio-Oil Body Oil

Most women avoid trying new skincare products during pregnancy. Moreover, some skincare formulations have overpowering scents that are a complete turnoff for many. Luckily, you can pick Bio-Oil, which is gentle on your skin and has a calming scent.

Unlike many oils with horrible and irritating smells, the Bio-Oil body oil has a sweet smell that goes well with sensitive skin. This skincare oil combines natural ingredients like vitamin E, sunflower, and chamomile oils that promote collagen production, ensuring healthy skin. With a hydrating and clean formula, the oil ensures that the skin stays moisturized throughout the day. 

The texture of the formula is moderately light, making it easy to apply. A favorite among users, it’s best suited for dry skin and can be an excellent alternative to stretch marks creams or body lotions.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Chamomile, and Lavender Oil | Scent: Rose | Paraben-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Pregnancy-Safe Belly Oils

Highly Rated by Parents and Experts

Burt’s Bees Body Oil

While pregnant, you need a hydrating yet safe formula to keep your dry, sensitive skin moisturized and soft. That’s why we recommend this tried and tested option from Burt’s Bees. Formulated with 100% natural ingredients, you don’t have to worry about toxins harming your skin or the baby. For your peace of mind, it doesn’t contain petroleum, phthalates, sulfates, or paraben.

This nourishing body oil features multiple antioxidants and nutrients, such as apricot oil and grape seed oil, to leave your skin feeling healthy and youthful. Additionally, the gentle oil soothes and brings back the natural elasticity of the skin. Hence, it becomes easier to quickly bounce back to the pre-pregnancy state when Mama Bee is your best ally.

Another reason we recommend this product is that it hydrates your skin by locking in moisture. When applied after a bath, the oil’s deep treatment mechanism delivers a smooth and supple feeling on the skin. One of the additional perks of Burt’s Bees body oil? You can use it for your baby as well. It works great for babies with the cradle cap or who have very dry skin.

Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, Lemon oil, and Vitamin E | Scent: Almond, Lemon | Paraben-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Earth Mama’s Belly Oil

Looking for a well-scented body oil that works for most skin types? Well, check out this Earth Mama’s Belly Oil. Specially formulated with organic herbs and oils, this oil has a natural scent that feels wonderful, especially in the morning when most women deal with morning sickness.

Aside from its decadent scent, the organic formula does a great job of keeping the skin moisturized and soft. Thanks to natural skin hydrators like jojoba and seed oil, the formula not only delivers long-lasting hydration but also helps the skin heal as the belly grows. In addition, the lightly textured formula absorbs quickly into the skin without being greasy. As a result, users are less likely to suffer from dry and itchy skin. For better protection against stretch marks, many users suggest combining it with cocoa butter lotion.

Earth Mama claims that this oil blend doesn’t utilize chemicals or harmful additives, keeping in mind expecting moms. It is also free from mineral oil, petroleum, or artificial fragrance.

Key Ingredients: Organic Jojoba, Organic Chamomile, Organic Calendula | Scent: Almond | Paraben-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Palmer’s Body Oil

Palmer is a popular name when it comes to skincare and hair products during pregnancy. Thousands of women attest to the effectiveness of their skincare line. You can never go wrong by choosing Palmer’s body oil, which is a light oil with a unique blend of Vitamin E and cocoa butter to help soften the skin and keep it moisturized.

The unique thing about this formulation is that it contains sunflower, soybean, and sesame oil to keep the skin moisturized throughout the day. So you don’t have to worry about chemical elements harming you or your baby. Even better, you can use this blend on your hair to soften your scalp and eliminate the dryness.

Overall, it is a ridiculously affordable belly oil for pregnancy stretch marks. For starters, simply apply a small amount on your belly and allow a few minutes for absorption. You will love how “soft and silky” your skin feels without any greasy residue.

Key Ingredients: Soybean, Sesame, and Safflower | Scent: Cocoa Butter | Paraben-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Pure Body Naturals Sweet Almond Oil

There are numerous benefits of sweet almond oil for the skin and hair. We recommend this non-toxic sweet almond oil from Pure Body Naturals. This lightly-scented oil isn’t only made of clean and natural ingredients but also extra moisturizing, largely thanks to the nourishing and reviving properties of sweet almond oil.

Since sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids, the formula does a good job of keeping the skin soft and supple throughout the day. Also, the oil can be your secret to long and shiny hair during pregnancy. You can apply it to your elbows, knees, and other body parts as well. Application of this almond oil is a breeze since you only need a few drops to your hands, rubbing them together and then massaging back and forth on your skin while focusing on the stretchy areas of your body.

To conclude, the applicator is convenient since you can control the quantity and avoid wastage. As for compatibility, it’s safe for all skin types since the smell is not overwhelming. You will be a fan of this oil once you start using it.

Key Ingredients: Pure Sweet Almond Oil | Scent: Unscented | Paraben-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Other Recommended Pregnancy-Safe Belly Oils

Moroccanoil Dry Body Oil

Your dry, itchy skin needs special care during pregnancy. Why not pamper yourself with a luxury skincare product? From body oil to dry shampoos, Moroccanoil has a premium skin and body care line. The Moroccanoil dry body oil does the job as advertised.

Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, the dry body oil comes with a rich blend of avocado oils, olive, and argan that delivers a soothing sensation to the skin and keeps it feeling fresh all day long. In addition., this light oil formula absorbs quickly into the skin and locks in the moisture to ensure soft and silky skin. 

Another benefit of this formulation is that it helps boost skin texture and tone. Unlike other belly oils, you need to spray this dry oil on your pregnant belly after a shower and massage with gentle strokes. Though it has a lightly elegant fragrance with a hint of Moroccanoil scent, it’s gentle on dry, sensitive skin.

Neutrogena Body Oil

Neutrogena body oil is one of the few body oils that Walmart shoppers have rated very highly. You can use this lightweight body oil to make your skin soft and help it stay hydrated throughout your pregnancy journey.

The oil is enriched with sesame seed oil that works as a natural moisturizer. Thanks to the inflammatory and antibacterial properties of the formula, it also helps heal and nourish damaged skin. As the name implies, the formula is easily absorbed into the skin, leaving your skin feeling radiant and smooth.

The fragrance is extremely light, making it suitable for all skin types. You can use this oil after a refreshing shower when the skin is warm and moist. Please consult with your doctor before buying this product since it contains propylparaben.

Sheamoisture Daily Hydration Body Oil for Dry Skin

During pregnancy, your belly stretches beyond limits because of extra weight. Therefore, you’ll need a skincare product that can prevent or minimize stretch marks. Luckily, with Sheamoisture body oil, the stretch marks will be a thing of the past.

First impressions matter even when shopping for skincare products. This belly oil comes in an 8-ounce container and is convenient to use. It is no surprise that it will last many days.

Other than that, it’s a luxurious blend of coconut oil and coconut milk. Moreover, it is free from any chemical additives, making it safe for you and your baby.

This light oil is suitable for massaging your whole body. To maintain the softness and suppleness of your skin throughout pregnancy, apply the oil every day after a shower when your skin is still moist or warm.

Provence Beauty Belly Oil for Pregnancy and Stretch Marks

If you’re allergic to many things, finding a skincare product that’s gentle on your skin won’t be easy. You can consider Provence Beauty belly oil, a versatile product you can use on your tummy, face, arms, and legs. It’s light and immerses deep into the skin layer, thereby leaving your skin feeling soft and gentle.

Your skin requires the right nutrients for a natural and radiant glow. This belly oil is rich in nutrients and essential oils that work magic on your skin’s scars or stretch marks. It promotes skin cell rejuvenation and restores skin elasticity.

This fast-absorbing oil is also rich in botanical oils, making it useful for people with skin allergies. It offers a calming effect on the skin and relieves irritation.

Another valuable aspect of this belly oil is that it helps clear uneven skin tone and soothes your skin. Since it’s packed with Vitamin E, it fades away dark spots and gets rid of wrinkles or fine lines on your skin, thereby giving it a glowing and vibrant look. When you opt for this product, your skin will have a refreshing appeal from natural nourishment.

Conclusion

Using the right skincare product can make a whole lot of difference to your skin during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and worried about the appearance of stretch marks, you can consider any of the products listed above.

During our selection, we picked only those formulations that were formulated without questionable components. We also considered those products with a gentle fragrance and scents. At the same time, light oils that absorb quickly into the skin were our top picks.

Lastly, these pregnancy belly oils are highly praised and talked about when it comes to protecting your skin from scars and stretch marks and keeping your skin moisturized and soft. Hopefully, you can now enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience.