Even though I’m only 18 weeks along, my belly is stretched tight and it’s itchy and peeling. It’s really not all that attractive. Given that I make yummy products for a living, I took this on as a personal challenge! Stay tuned for the recipe later today. The oils I used:
Cocoa Butter – Long used for centuries for stretch marks, cocoa butter has proven to be no better than a placebo for actually preventing stretch marks (NYTimes article). So, why did I put it into my formula? Cocoa Butter has a compound called CMP (cocoa mass polyphenol), a substance that helps with dermatitis.
Vitamin E – Vitamin E beat out Cocoa Butter for stretch mark relief (citation here). Vitamin E is a an anxi-oxidant that helps to defend skin from free-radicals. Free-radicals attack the skin structure leading to aging, wrinkles and generally unhealthy skin.
Jojoba Oil infused with Calendula Petals – Jojoba oil is a liquid wax. Out of all the oils (or in this case, liquid waxes!), it is closest to the human skin in its make up. Calendula is incredibly nourishing to skin, especially irritated skin. For infusion directions, click here.
Hemp Seed Oil, Unrefined: Hemp Seed Oil is fantastic to use in skin care products because of its lipid profile; it has over 80% Essential Fatty Acids. Additionally, Hemp Seed Oil has been found to help with eczema.
Shea Butter: If there was only one butter I could be stranded on a desert island with, this would be it. High in unsaponifiables, this butter is extremely emollient, making it a key ingredient in many body butters and lotions.
Essential Oils:
Carrot Seed: Carrot Seed Essential Oil is well known for its help with aging skin and to protect skin against wrinkles. Carrot Seed has a very earthy smell.
Frankincense: Used by some of the large cosmetic companies in their anti-aging skincare, Frankincense is known to be soothing and skin-loving.
Helicrhrysum: This essential oil has almost a magical lore about it for healing bruises and soothing dry skin.
German Chamomile: One of my favorite essential oils for skin care, German Chamomile helps calm itchy, irritated skin because of its high azulene content. German Chamomile smells herbal-y and not sweet at all.
Take note that you could only purchase Retin-A should you have a doctor’s prescription. Also, there is really a perfect time to apply Retin-A on your stretch marks. The best time you are able to use it can be when those marks are still new. The way for you to determine if they still are is when they’ve a pinking color and a bit painful. If the stretch marks are already white, applying Retin-A on it will not be as successful.
True true – Retin A is only via prescription (and it’s expensive!).
Hi Ann-Marie
I am so happy that I stumbled across your site. I I made this whipped butter recipe last night and I love the texture – it is dreamy. I used Almond fragrance oil and neroli fragrance oil and being new to this I think I might have over fragranced. I love the combination but it is a little too strong. I used 1.0 oz. neroli and .5 oz almond in a total of 36 oz. I increased the shea and cocoa butter proportionally because I used more oils than the recipe calls for. Can I make another batch without fragrance oils and melt it into this batch to dilute the scent a little? Also, just to let you know I include 5 tbsp of corn starch as you suggested in this thread – works great.
PS. I ordered your mineral makeup foundation kit and I made foundation, blush, highlighter, eye shadows and finishing powder – all from what I received from BB! yay!!
Yeah, that sounds just a wee bit strong. Yes, you can make another batch and whip it into the current batch. If there’s any way to not melt the entire thing and just do a partial melt, try that. The Cocoa Butter can be persnickity when remelted. But whipping will definitely help with the persnickitiness!
Glad you had such a good time with the Mineral Makeup Kit – YAY! =) Thank you for your business.
Hi – I’ve replied twice to your note below and Leah says that she already worked with you today. Please give us a phone call at 1-87-SOAP-STUFF and we’ll see what more needs to be done =)
Hi Ann Marie,this recipe calls for 14 oz of Shea. I clicked on the link to automatically select all the needed ingredients for the recipe. I didn’t actually select the ingredients myself. When I received my order, I noticed on the label for the Shea Butter, it stated melt and pour under the word Shea. Is this the correct Shea, MandP, I should be using for this recipe?I have never used Shea Butter; so I don’t know what it is. Is there just something called Shea Butter? einnoc
Hi Einnoc,
It sounds like we may have sent you something that is mis-labeled perhaps? If it’s a butter (softish), it’s definitely shea butter. If it’s melt and pour, it’s a hard rectangle that is clearly man made. Jot us a line at info (at) brambleberry (dot) com and we’ll get you all set up. =)
It could be that the product was labeled wrong in the warehouse. It should be a soft’ish butter and not a hard solid white block. If you received butter (usually double bagged), we’re golden. If you received a rectangle hard block of white soap, then I need to get some Shea out to you pronto. 🙂
Happy Soaping!
Anne-Marie
http://www.brambleberry.com
Blog: http://www.soapqueen.com
Hi Ann Marie,
this recipe calls for 14 oz of Shea. I clicked on the link to automatically select all the needed ingredients for the recipe. I didn’t actually select the ingredients myself. When I received my order, I noticed on the label for the Shea Butter, it stated Melt & Pour under the word Shea. Is this the correct Shea, M&P, I should be using for this recipe?
I have never used Shea Butter; so I don’t know what it is. Is there just something called Shea Butter?
einnoc
swallow’s nest in an edible gel form is supposed be good for the skin too. it gives that clear and pasty skin that we all love.
it’s mad expensive. my brother and i bought some for my mom for her birthday. it was like 400 bucks for like a 6-8 oz jar. Luckily we finally found the one of popular brand online (hongkong-bird-nest.50webs.com/… and http://www.euyansang.com/)
dad said it’s really popular in indonesia. that a guy has to climb a high mountain to get the nest. that’s why it’s so expensive.
i mean why doesn’t the dude just look for the fabled korean swallow king, capture it and let it lay eggs full of gold! then, he wouldn’t have to work so hard and climb them high mountains.
Lavender isn’t bad smelling but with this very small amount, you don’t smell it at all (really). I’ve been using it almost every day and I don’t like Carrot Seed either but don’t even notice it with such a small amount. If you have Rose EO, that would be great too. That’s incredibly good for skin as well.
I, also, do not care for the scent of carrot see oil- any suggestions about something that could be added to mellow out the odor, ever so slightly? Without ruining its healing properties, of course.
Cocoa butter is pretty essential to the recipe; it’s the hardener. You could replace it with Beeswax but the balm will be much more hard and it won’t melt on contact with skin.
I can’t wait to meet our baby boy. And my Mom is coming up to stay for I think most of the first month. We are SO lucky to have such a supportive, loving family. I am blessed. I am glad to hear that your little grandson is so fun. I can’t wait. =)
hi what a beautifull recipe!
I don”t have cocoa butter, how can I remplace it?
thank you!
Thank you! And thank you for being a reader, no matter how often you get to stop by =))
That is GREAT feedback; thank you for that hint.
From one eczema sufferer to another…LOVE YOU SKIN…mine flared up extremly bad during the pregnancy that 6m later still has not recovered. i suggest using your wonderfull cream ANYWERE you are prone to outbreaks
So I am WAY behind on my google reader. And I saw your Thanksgiving post — a baby on the way! So exciting! I am now backtracking to see how you shared the news!! Congrats girl!
Aw, you are so sweet. =) I’m working out 6 times a week so I’m hoping to stay as fit as possible up until the last minute. I worked out next to a 7 month pregnant woman the other day and she was very inspiring.
I haven’t but I will get to researching for my next balm. 🙂 Thanks for the hint. 🙂
Happy Soaping!
Anne-Marie
http://www.brambleberry.com
Blog: http://www.soapqueen.com
I’ve heard Almond Oil and Almond Butter help prevent stretch marks. Have you heard anything about it?
This looks great! I won’t be using any on myself, but it would be a great addition to a baby shower gift basket… a little something for the Mama!
Oooooh!!! Good one. I wish I had thought of that one. :))
Happy Soaping!
Anne-Marie
http://www.brambleberry.com
Blog: http://www.soapqueen.com
Darn genetics! I hope it’ll work for you anyway. 🙂
Are you kidding me! That is 18 weeks! If you keep along at that pace you should have no problem getting back into shape afterwards! Thank you so much for these ingredients! I am making stuff for my sis who is about as far along as you are and this will be a great addition. Just bought some Helichrysum oil too!
Lovely choices Anne-Marie. Camellia Tea Seed oil is great for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so I may make this with CTSoil in place of the hemp seed oil 🙂
This sounds wonderful!
I would loooove to get their opinions on the balm. You might try some unscented too. The Carrot Seed Oil + Chamomile makes for a rather earthy smell. Not everyone will be a fan =)
Well, it’s mostly genetic (or so my Doctor tells me) but even if I can improve it by 10%, I am sooooo all over that. =)
I never took good care of my belly skin, and now I have stretchmarks out to wazoo to show for it. You’re smart to do something proactive! 🙂
You look beautiful!
I have 1 grandson I’ve been watching him since he 6 weeks old although I only watch him 2 days a week now…..it’s plenty. He’s almost 2 1/2!
Time goes by quickly so enjoy your baby belly time!
Looking forward to the recipe- I’ve got sooo many prego friends to make presents for this Christmas!
Congrats on the new baby! Fun! Neem would be a really nice addition too (though it would smell awwwwful!). I’m prone to eczema but don’t have it now that I’m pregnant and the Dr prescribed a steroid cream that totally worked. If you have psoriasis, Noble Formula (also prescription) works great too: http://www.4myskin.com/
Aw really? I think I had forgotten that. Sweet …
Yes, Amber is using the balm for her dry and cracking fingers and she is so so so happy about it. Even without the EO’s (which are all pricey – why is that?!), it’s still a great balm and I just love that it melts instantly on contact with skin.
I’m not that big yet; like the belly only ‘pops’ if I’ve eaten too much and it’s the end of the day. LOL! So maybe Thanksgiving will give us a great shot! Even though I’m 18 weeks along, I’m still wearing my normal jeans (unzipped partially with a belly band) and everyone keeps telling me I don’t look pregnant even though I feel HUGE!
Here’s a picture of me taken by my sweet husband (to send to my folks!) from last week:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1BEv…
Oh fun! There was a gal in prenatal yoga yesterday that was 34 weeks along so I can totally picture your belly size. =) What have you been using so far?
I adore the smell of German Chamomile. It’s so musky and earthy. Now Carrot Seed, I could do without but with its healing properties, it’s hard to leave out. =)
I have some Rose Otto on my desk right now. I love the stuff! Yes, if you have some, it is amazing on skin. I didn’t have any handy when I formulated but you can bet I’m putting it in the next batch! =)
Rosehip Seed Oil is awesome too. With the shorter shelf life it has, I usually leave it out of balms since balms tend to sit around so long but if it’s a fast use, definitely definitely include it. Take out some of the jojoba probably.
i am definitely going to make this. especially since everyone in my universe is pregnant it seems.
now to get some BB carrot seed oil and some hemp oil…….
Loved your article! What are your thoughts about rosehip seed oil or rose otto eo?
Yum! Great combination of everything. I especially love the essential oil combination. I love German chamomile too! Happy belly massaging!
Sounds great so far! I’m 34 weeks along, so this will be handy.
Sounds like something I made recently for my 30-week pregnant belly. Except I left mine fragrance- and essential oil-free. When do we get to see pics of the Bramble Bump?
Making a belly balm was what got me into soapmaking in the first place, almost 6 years ago! This brings back memories!
Your recipe sounds wonderful. I’d love to make it as a rich moisturizer for my super dry skin. Thank you!
this recipe souds awsome..(not pregnant anymore, mine is 6months now)..alot of these oils sounds like they would work awome for my sever ezegma…maybe you could come up with a recipe specificaly for ezegma…maybe with some pine-tar…wich is awsome for irritated skin (hint*hint*)