We see Pure Mama vs 8 Sheep Organics compared all the time, and it’s not hard to understand why - these are two of the top belly oils for pregnancy you have at your fingertips. But they’re actually really different when you take a closer look at the labels.
8 Sheep Organics makes the best stretch mark serum with clinically validated ingredients such as Centella Asiatica and triple-weighted hyaluronic acid, which are backed by American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) research.
On the other hand, Pure Mama’s belly oil is just a blend of oils like rosehip, almond, avocado, coconut, and vitamin E. The product has helped a lot of women prevent and fade stretch marks. But the AAD has said some of these ingredients don’t actually produce measurable improvements.2
We’ll take a closer look at Pure Mama Belly Oil vs 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum below to help you pick the right product for what your skin actually needs right now.
Pure Mama vs 8 Sheep Organics (At a Glance)
|
Feature |
8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum |
Pure Mama Belly Oil |
|
Price |
$47 / 4 oz |
$64 / 4.9 oz |
|
Format |
Serum |
Oil |
|
Key Ingredients |
Centella Asiatica + Triple-Weighted Hyaluronic Acid |
13 botanical oils (almond, coconut, jojoba, rosehip, avocado, & more) |
|
Fragrance |
None |
Natural (coconut/vanilla) |
|
Made In |
USA |
New Zealand |
|
Guarantee |
100-day money-back |
15-day (unopened only) |
Benefits of 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum
True Belly Serum can be your saving grace if you’re early on in your pregnancy and stressing about those stretch marks, which you’ve been told are inevitable. OR if you’re already in the third trimester and starting to see them appear.
This one-of-a-kind formula supports skin elasticity through all phases of pregnancy and can minimize the risk of stretch marks, while leaving skin firmer-looking postpartum. What separates it from the rest is two ingredients:
- Centella Asiatica: This ingredient was shown to reduce stretch mark incidence to 34% (compared to 56% for the placebo group).2 The way it works is by encouraging your body’s own natural collagen and elastin production, so skin can stretch further before tearing.
- Triple-Weighted Hyaluronic Acid: Three molecular weights of this deeply nourishing acid penetrate into the layers of skin that need moisture more than ever.
8 Sheep Organics makes exclusively organic pregnancy products. True Belly Serum is handcrafted in small batches, right here in the USA, without any nasty stuff.
It’s also backed by our 100-day satisfaction guarantee. You can place your order with peace of mind. That’s what makes it the best stretch mark cream during pregnancy.
What is in Pure Mama Belly Oil?
Pure Mama’s belly oil is really popular as well, especially among women who don’t want any sort of clinical ingredients. Just oils from Mother Nature. The base is made up of sweet almond oil and fractionated coconut oil. Other ingredients include:
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba oil
- Vitamin E
- Rosehip oil
- Argan oil
- Pomegranate seed oil
- Tamanu oil
- And more!
Notice what you don’t see, though - anything with AAD backing for stretch mark prevention or fading. That’s not to say Pure Mama Belly Oil doesn’t have its place in your pregnancy. These ingredients are super nourishing, deeply moisturizing, and loaded with antioxidants.
And for what it’s worth, Pure Mama talks about some of the studies it has conducted on its products - and the results are definitely impressive if they’re legitimate. 90% of women felt as if their stretch marks improved over a 30-day span. 100% saw an improvement in overall skin texture and smoothness.
But at $64 for a single bottle, it’s pretty pricey. Nearly $20 more than 8 Sheep Organics. And there’s no satisfaction guarantee behind the Pure Mama product, which begs the question - if the results are that amazing, why don’t they stand behind it?
Pure Mama Belly Oil vs 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum: Side-by-Side Comparison
We want to be very clear, you can’t go wrong choosing between Pure Mama vs 8 Sheep Organics if you’re just looking for a nourishing, moisturizing belly oil during pregnancy.
However, you’re probably comparing Pure Mama Belly Oil vs 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum because you want something you know will minimize the formation (and appearance) of stretch marks. This means looking at the formulas with a different level of scrutiny.
Key Ingredients
This is by far the most important criteria to put Pure Mama vs 8 Sheep Organics through. Because as Dr. Helen He (co-director of Mount Sinai's Healthy Skin Dermatology Center) explains, it’s all about supporting collagen and elastin.
“When the skin becomes overstretched, this outpaces skin regeneration and disrupts the collagen and elastin networks, resulting in these lines that are often discolored.”3
That matters because 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum actually uses an ingredient the AAD has said can stimulate collagen and elastin production - Centella Asiatica. Meanwhile, three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid work deep into the dermis to keep it hydrated.
On the other hand, Pure Mama’s Belly Oil brings you a concoction of moisturizin oils. And they’re great for hydrating the outer layer of skin. But whether they can reach deep enough into the dermis to make a real difference is another story.
Value For the Money
You get what you pay for, so by no means are we advocating for going with a cheaper product to save money. Rather, we’re encouraging you to look at value for the money.
- 8 Sheep Organics is only $47 for 4 oz.
- Pure Mama is $64 for a little over 4 oz.
Pretty similar size, $20 price discrepancy. So, the question becomes - is Pure Mama worth the extra money? We’d say no for two reasons. First and foremost, the difference in ingredients, which we just spoke about above.
But the other reason is the lack of guarantee for Pure Mama. The company only offers a 15-day return policy on unopened products. In contrast, 8 Sheep Organics gives you 100 days to try the product risk-free. That’s how confident we are that you’ll see results.
Smell and Experience
There’s another big difference between Pure Mama vs 8 Sheep Organics - smell.
True Belly Serum by 8 Sheep Organics is intentionally unscented, because a lot of expecting mamas have trouble with fragrance triggering their morning sickness. Pure Mama’s belly oil has a natural coconut/vanilla fragrance from the oils. We’re not saying that’s a bad thing - just something to be aware of if you’re sensitive to smells right now.
The Safety Side of Things
You don’t have to worry about any harmful ingredients, no matter which side of the 8 Sheep Organics vs Pure Mama debate you end up going with. Both brands put expecting women (and their babies) first, with totally pregnancy-safe formulas.
Pure Mama is vegan and cruelty-free with independent dermatological testing. 8 Sheep Organics is organic, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and has zero petroleum-based ingredients. Shop with peace of mind either way!
Parting Thoughts on 8 Sheep Organics vs Pure Mama
Hopefully, this Pure Mama vs 8 Sheep Organics comparison has left you feeling clear and confident about which belly oil best fits your journey through pregnancy. These are two excellent options.
But if we could only recommend one (and frankly, you only need one), it would be True Belly Serum by 8 Sheep Organics. It’s a pretty easy choice since this is the one with ingredients that have real AAD backing. And it’s the more affordable option that works with more pregnant women’s needs (fragrance-free).
Plus, our pregnancy stretch mark oil is backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Give it a chance today and see what keeps women coming back for more!
Frequently asked questions
Does Pure Mama Belly Oil actually work?
It does a really good job of moisturizing the skin, and the brand says it works well for stretch marks as well. But the formula doesn’t have any ingredients that are backed by the AAD for stretch mark prevention or removal, and there’s no satisfaction guarantee. In other words, you have to take the company’s word for it when you shell out $64.
Is Pure Mama oil safe to use?
Yes! There are no nasties in the bottle. It’s pregnancy-safe, vegan, and cruelty-free. Just be aware that the natural fragrance can be off-putting to women struggling with morning sickness.
Which is better, 8 Sheep Organics or Pure Mama?
8 Sheep Organics is the better value for your money. It contains ingredients the AAD has said can minimize the likelihood of developing stretch marks, and they may even fade the appearance of existing marks. It’s pregnancy-safe and backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee.
Related Resources
Does stretch mark cream work? | Bio Oil vs Mederma
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. "Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them." AAD.org
- Mallol J, Belda MA, Costa D, Noval A, Sola M. "Prophylaxis of Striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double blind trial." International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 1991;13:51-57. PubMed
- He, H., MD. "How to Choose a Pregnancy-Safe Stretch Mark Cream." Consumer Reports
