9 belly oils our editors swear by during pregnancy (and why they’re so dreamy)

It’s no secret we love all things Earth Mama. Their longstanding commitment to safe, non-toxic products for mama and baby make them a go-to for pregnancy and beyond. (The less you have to worry about, the better, right?) Their affordable belly oil is no exception! Made with just a few herb-infused oils, it glides on beautifully and sinks right in to help hydrate and soothe itchiness. The scent (which is free of artificial fragrance) is super mild and suitable for even the most sensitive pregnancy noses. And full transparency–we love it even when we aren’t pregnant!

With nearly 100K ratings on Amazon and a huge fanbase of folks who swear by its efficacy, you’ve likely run across the award-winning Bio-Oil Skincare Oil by now. The holy grail oil is a uniquely formulated blend of powerful, natural oils like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, chamomile, sunflower, and lavender Oil to reduce inflammation, improve elasticity and also help renew skin. Because of this, it’s used as both prevention and treatment for existing marks and scars in pregnancy and otherwise. (Many reviewers use it to treat acne scarring since it’s non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores. Who doesn’t love a good multi-tasker?) Not everyone loves the scent which can be described as faintly old-ladylike but it does fade quickly.

Not everyone is a fan of oils given their reputation for being greasy and pore-clogging. But forget what you’ve been told and hop on the bandwagon if you haven’t already. Super-hydrating and oh-so-indulgent, the right body oil can easily take the place of lotion or become the star of your moisturizing regimen. One of our favorites for pregnant bellies? Hatch Belly Oil. The easily-absorbed oil is rich in nutrients and quick-drying so you don’t have to stand around for ages waiting to get dressed and leaves skin feeling soft, supple and totally pampered. The non-greasy formula is made with soothing calendula to calm irritated skin, sweet almond oil to heal and hydrate and grapefruit peel to deliver a subtle, citrusy scent. And we have to say, it looks stunning on your dresser or countertop as well.

Full disclosure, I fell in love with this as a body oil over the winter when my dry winter skin threatened to send me over the edge. Packed with power-hydrators like organic argan oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and olive fruit oil it instantly makes skin feel hydrated and supple without feeling slick or heavy. It’s also a great option for moms with sensitive skin since it’s free from sulfates, fragrance and essential oils. (It also has no tree nut oils in case that’s a concern for you!) As someone who has struggled with eczema and mysterious reactions, my skin never has an issue with this one. And it’s safe once you’re breastfeeding as well!

Esker’s belly oil duo is the perfect way to love up on your pregnant belly day and night. (No surprise the company was founded by a pregnant-at-the-time mom!) The all natural duo is optimized for pregnancy with low-scent and fast absorbing moisture that not only sinks right in but lasts throughout the day to keep skin feeling soft and comfortable. They’re not at all greasy (almost silky, actually!) and made with organic ingredients.  Uplifting is formulated for morning application with energizing oils like ginger, ylang ylang and lemongrass which smells subtly bright and fresh. The Soothing oil contains lavender which brings calm and relaxation to the evening. 

EWG-verified and gently scented, this almond and argan oil based formula starts out more like a gel and melts as it becomes warmed by your skin. It’s soft and absorbent and with minimal ingredients (all of which are plant-based) which makes it a great option for anyone with sensitive skin.

If you’ve ever had a little one with eczema, chances are you’ve already heard of the organic, science-backed skincare from EllaOla. Their plant-based formulas can be described as nothing short of magic–so when they finally released a product for mamas we couldn’t have been more excited. (I mean, we’re totally happy to keep slathering ourselves in their baby cream, but still.) Developed by Harvard dermatologists and OBGYNs, their rich Nourishing Belly Oil is the dreamiest of all the oils on our list. It’s made from an impressive (and kind of fancy) list of just 15 ingredients including French marine algae (ooh la la!), Centella Asiatica (an herb that’s been used for centuries to heal wounds and treat skin conditions) and Vitamin C. The rich oil absorbs just beautifully and even though the bottle is on the smaller side, a little goes a long way. And it’s so gentle you can even use it on your face!

At an affordable price point, the Honest Glow On Body Oil offers a soothing and hydration you can apply with abandon. The unscented formula (which is great if you’re super sensitive to smells these days) is made from a plant-based blend of organic coconut, avocado and olive oils and goes on like a dream. Like all oils, we found it works best when used just after a shower or bath. And pro-tip! It’s also great when mixed into your favorite lotion to give a little moisturizing boost!

From the gorgeous packaging to the light rose and pear scent, Evereden’s Golden Belly Serum is a total treat. The formula itself is lightweight and non-greasy, packed with pregnancy-safe hydrators like Marula, Avocado and Coconut Oils as well as healing ingredients like Vitamin E, Passionfruit Oil and Rosehip Oil to help repair skin. It’s also nice to know that Evereden is relentlessly dedicated to formulating non-toxic and gentle products. Each and every one is free of harmful chemicals like phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde-releasers as well as over 2,000 natural ingredients that are known allergens or challenging to sensitive skin.