Belly Butter

Description

To those of you who are pregnant or planning a child, congratulations!
May this belly butter bring you soothing care and support on your journey.

If you’ve had a baby, you know that an itchy belly and stretch marks come with the territory for many of us. There are products on the open market that claim to relieve these little frustrations, but most of these contain parabens and other not-so-healthy ingredients that have no business being anywhere near a mama OR baby! Research shows that unborn babies are exposed to nearly 300 toxic chemicals in the womb! This is when it’s time to seek out more natural options.

If you make belly butter a daily ritual once you find out you’re pregnant or once you start trying to get pregnant to aid in preventing stretch marks during pregnancy. It is one of those little pleasures in pregnancy that will also help in stress relief.

It seems most women focus just on lotions and potions to treat their stretch marks, and they DO help, but you really need to look at them holistically, which is why I talk about diet and nutrition first with my moms. Please make sure you have this covered! Also, staying hydrated can be tough when you’re pregnant but it is essential for preventing stretch marks and having a healthy pregnancy.

The European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments explains that vitamin K is very beneficial in treating stretch marks. You can find vitamin k is foods such as dandelion greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard, spring onions or scallions, kale, spinach and Brussels sprouts to name a few.

Having said that, there are some great things you can apply topically to help you pregnancy stretch marks. (These can also help with itchy skin!)

This study, focused on a product that contained vitamin E and rosehip oil, found that they significantly reduced women’s stretch marks. (see this study)

This belly butter melts into your skin and is super easy to spread all over yourself! Not to mention, it smells divine!

Here’s why I chose these ingredients…

✿ Mango Butter: This is the deal for old, deep scarring from stretch marks. I can stand by this one; I myself have suffered from stretch marks. Mango butter is packed with vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D. Mango butter is very smooth and moisturizing to the skin. It can help to restore damaged skin and makes this butter very effective for supporting healing of the skin.

✿ Cocoa Butter: is rich in vitamin E, and is an excellent skin softener and toner. Enzymes in cocoa butter also help reduce damage to skin tissue. It’s also widely used as a prevention for stretch marks. Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids and hydrates the skin deeply, making it a wonderful addition to your new belly butter. It contains oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, all of which nourish the skin.

✿ Shea Butter” helps with the healthy turnover of skin by repairing dry cracked skin. High in unsaponifiables, this butter is extremely emollient, making it a key ingredient in many body butters. My favorite thing about shea butter is that provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. (Collagen is what keeps skin supple) The difference between shea butter and our beloved tropical oils is this: Oils are known for their moisturizing properties and secondly for their healing properties while shea butter has extraordinary healing properties in addition to providing moisture.

✿ Coconut oil has amazing moisturizing benefits for the skin and is loaded with essential vitamins to help keep the skin healthy. Dry skin is more likely to tear than soft moisturized skin, so using coconut oil definitely helps. Its lauric acid content also makes it easily absorbed deep into skin’s layers, where it may have a positive effect on collagen production. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce healing time for existing stretch marks. Its ability to hydrate skin deeply may also help reduce the itching associated with stretch marks.

✿ Rosehip Seed Oil: Because rosehip seed oil absorbs so deeply into the skin, it can provide a deep level of nutrients to the skin that other oils can’t. This is why I’ve included it in this formula. Rosehip oil is naturally a rich source of essential fatty acids which include omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. (linoleic and linolenic fatty acids) In addition to softening and moisturizing the epidermis, these fatty acids in rosehip seed oil convert into prostaglandins once they are absorbed into your skin. These prostaglandins help stimulate your skin’s regenerative powers, working to heal scars and protect against stretch marks.

It is also rich in Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and anti-oxidants. It contains fatty acids and vitamin C, which penetrates the skin and is easily absorbed by the upper dermal layer. Vitamin C present in Rosehip oil prevents discoloration of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen fibers. It also helps in moisturizing the skin and softening of the epidermis. Rosehip oil also contains trans-retinoic acid (vitamin A) which helps to regenerate damaged skin tissues.

Rosehip Seed Oil is a highly effective ingredient in this formulation.

✿ Arrowroot: arrowroot can actually be beneficial during a pregnancy. It works to prevent many defects and malformations. In this formulation, while I’ve used it as a thickener, opacifier, and softener that can also contribute to an absorbent effect, it effectively creates a non-sticky, non-greasy end product that leaves a more appealing finish on the skin. A further benefit of arrowroot powder is its rejuvenating, softening, and skin-soothing properties. Arrowroot contains many beneficial minerals and vitamins such as zinc, iron, potassium, and Vitamin B6, and is known to provide relief to skin irritations including rashes, acne, skin sores, and rashes. Who knew?

✿ Helichrysum Essential Oil – This essential oils helps nourish elasticity and improve cell and tissue regeneration. When looking at Helichrysum Oils, beware of the botanical name. Not all are of the Italicum variety. Make sure you don’t buy the Helichrysum Gymnocephalum, which is not effective for wounds, but rather for internal health issues. Helichrysum oil also improves the tone and texture of skin by reducing pigmentation.

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

✿ Sweet Orange Essential Oil – this EO contains B-myrcene, a chemical component that is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Thus, orange essential oil is a great choice for a massage oil that supports your outer glow. Plus, it can help to ease any skin agitation you may be having on your body having to do with inflammation. Mixed with chocolate, well, you’ll be looking forward to your belly massage every day! By improving collagen production, it reduces the wrinkles and keeps the skin supple and clean.

Tip: MamaBaby belly butter is still effective without the essential oils. So, if you’re concerned about using oils while pregnant, choose the “unscented” option!

This stretch mark cream recipe is also perfect for healing a c-section scar. You will soothe the damaged skin as well as accelerate healing!!

How to Use: Dermatologists recommend massage as a treatment for stretch marks. Massage the area with oil, using your fingertips, in circular motions. This helps stretch your collagen and elastin fibers, making them more pliable and normal looking. Rub over entire belly 2-3 times daily for best results.