7 Best Belly Oils For Pregnancy

So many brands say they have the best belly oil for pregnancy that it can get overwhelming trying to find something that will actually nourish your skin and help prevent the formation of stretch marks. 

We’ve been there. You’ve got enough to worry about preparing for your child’s arrival earth-side. You don’t need to go through the trial and error of trying different serums or filtering through a sea of options. We curated this list of the 7 best pregnancy belly oils to help you narrow it down.

Why You Need the Best Belly Oil For Pregnancy

You know stretch marks come with the territory. At least, that seems to be the case - every mama you know has them. But what if we told you that a really good belly oil could help keep them at bay, potentially even preventing them altogether? 

Dr. Sejal Shah, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology. She says that the skin can hold onto its elasticity better when it’s well-hydrated, which she believes can help combat stretch mark development.¹

But moisturizing is just one aspect of how a belly oil can mitigate stretch mark formation as your baby grows, pushing your skin to the limits. Some stretch mark products go even further by supporting the skin in producing more collagen and elastin. This helps your skin stretch further and bounce back better without developing those little tears in the dermis, which is ultimately what stretch marks are. 

What Separates the Best Pregnancy Belly Oils From the Rest? 

Part of what gets frustrating with stretch mark belly oils is how they overpromise and underdeliver. Not all, obviously - but most. 

There are two ingredients in particular you want to look for in the best belly oil for pregnancy, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, which has said they have potential to prevent stretch marks:²

• Hyaluronic acid
• Centella asiatica

Centella asiatica in particular is one you’ll want to make sure is on the label of any belly oil you bring into your ritual. It has been clinically shown to minimize stretch mark formation compared to placebo.³

But aside from what you DO see on the label, what you DON’T see matters as well. Organic pregnancy products are the way to go. Steer clear of petroleum, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, and parabens. These ingredients have no place on a pregnant belly.

And despite being very effective for stretch marks, retinoids don’t belong in your routine, either. They may be unsafe for a developing fetus. Not worth taking any chances. 

7  Best Belly Oils For Pregnancy

You can shop with peace of mind using this guide to the best belly oil for pregnancy. All of these products are safe for expecting mothers and have been hand-selected because they work. 

1. 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum

• Price: $47 (4oz)
• What’s Inside: Centella Asiatica, Triple-Weighted Hyaluronic Acid (three molecular weights), Avocado Oil, Vitamin E, Panthenol, Glycerin

8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum is the #1 choice because it’s the only one that contains the two ingredients the AAD has said can effectively prevent stretch marks - and potentially even reduce the appearance of fresh stretch marks that have started forming.

You get three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to moisturize every level of the skin, including the deepest layer where stretch marks actually form. Most moisturizers just sit on the surface and feel like they’re hydrating your skin. 

Meanwhile, centella asiatica works its magic to support your skin's own collagen production. This keeps it more supple and resilient, so it can stretch further without tearing.

It’s the #1 pregnancy stretch mark oil because of how clean the ingredients label is, too. You can apply it with peace of mind as there is no petroleum, fragrance, or parabens. 8 Sheep Organics makes every bottle by hand here in the USA in small batches. It’s backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee. 

2. Pure Mama Belly & Body Oil 

• Price: $64 (4.9 oz)
• What’s Inside: Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba, Rosehip, Argan, Vitamin E, Pomegranate Seed, Tamanu

Another really clean formula you can consider if you’re looking for more botanical support than clinical backing. There’s no centella asiatica or hyaluronic acid, but the Pure Mama Belly & Body Oil is richly moisturizing.

It has also been dermatologically and clinically tested, so you can buy it with confidence. The only catch is cost. It’s really expensive relative to what you’re getting, which is essentially a blend of hydrating oils. 

3. Earth Mama Belly Oil 

• Price: $23.99 (4 oz) 
• What’s Inside: Organic Grape Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba, Organic Borage Seed Oil, Sweet Orange, Calendula, Neroli, Vitamin E

This botanical blend could be the best belly oil for pregnancy if you want to nourish your skin with Mother Nature’s finest ingredients at a more affordable price point. It’s a lightweight formula that absorbs fast and doesn’t contain any nasty stuff (parabens, petroleum, or synthetic scents).

It’s ⅓ of what you’d pay for Pure Mama and around half the cost of 8 Sheep Organics. While you do get what you pay for, it’s a solid candidate for soothing irritation and improving skin elasticity. 

4. Hatch Belly Oil 

• Price: $68 (6.7 oz)
• What’s Inside: Jojoba, Argan, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond, Rosehip, Grapefruit Oil, Calendula, Sunflower, Rosemary

You’ll see Hatch recommended more than most other brands when it comes to a pregnancy belly oil, and you’ll understand why once you feel it firsthand. It feels so lush on the skin. 

But like Pure Mama, it’s priced at a premium - and you’re getting a really similar formula with a handful of essential oils with limited clinical evidence for preventing stretch marks. We’ve talked to some mamas who found the natural grapefruit scent flared up their morning sickness, too. 

5. Tubby Todd Belly Oil 

• Price: $22 (2 oz)
• What’s Inside: Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Oil, Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Avocado, Vitamin E, Organic Fruit Extracts

Tubby Todd makes baby skincare, but this one’s for the moms who bring new life into the world. It’s a fragrance-free belly oil for sensitive skin that can’t handle stronger clinical ingredients. You’re just getting classic carrier oils that feel very moisturizing on the skin.

The price isn’t bad, until you realize you’re getting just 2oz. That actually puts it in a similar tier to 8 Sheep Organics on cost at around $10-$12 per ounce. 

6. Mother Mother Belly Oil 

• Price: $36 (1 oz)
• What’s Inside: Grapeseed Oil, Cranberry Seed, Pomegranate Seed, Marula, Baobab, Pumpkin Seed, Jojoba, Borage, Vitamin E, Neroli

Mother Mother makes an amazing facial and belly oil, all in the same bottle. What sets it apart from a lot of other similar belly oils is the marula and baobab. These ingredients are chock-full of fatty acids that nourish the skin. The only catch is it’s also the smallest bottle on this list, which actually makes it one of the most expensive per-ounce. 

7. Spoiled Mama Bump Gloss

• Price: $49 (4 oz)
• What’s Inside: Sunflower, Jojoba, Borage Seed, Shea, Meadowfoam, Avocado, Rosehip, Tamanu, Olive Oil

We heard about this one from another mom who swore by it, so we gave it a shot. We loved how hydrating the borage seed and rosehip were, and these ingredients do have some backing for elasticity support. It’s also OB/GYN-approved and safe for all three trimesters.

Frequently asked questions

Is belly oil safe for pregnancy? 

Yes, as long as you scan the ingredient label and make sure there are no sketchy additives. Don’t use retinoids during pregnancy, either. 

Which oil to apply on belly in pregnancy?

8 Sheep Organic’s stretch mark serum is the #1 choice on the market. You can also find the best belly butter for pregnancy at 8 Sheep Organics.

How many weeks pregnant should I start using belly oil?

Get the best belly oil for pregnancy right now while you’re reading this guide and start incorporating it ASAP. Prevention is everything with stretch marks. The sooner you start, the better, according to Dr. Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist.⁴ Ideally, the first or second trimester. 

Related Resources

Best stretch mark cream for pregnancy | Bio Oil vs Mederma

References

1. Shah, S., M.D., Castilla, C., M.D., and Ilyas, E., M.D. "The best lotions, creams and butters for your pregnant belly, according to experts." NBC News Select
2. American Academy of Dermatology. "Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them." AAD.org
3. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. "Topical preparations for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy." Cochrane Library
4. Engelman, D., M.D. "9 Best Pregnancy Stretch Mark Creams, Tested by Pregnant Moms." The Bump