Categories


Authors

Ultimate Belly Butter

Victoria Siegel

What pregnant skin needs most

  • Elasticity support (lipids that integrate, not coat)

  • Occlusion that breathes (prevents TEWL without trapping heat)

  • Low inflammatory load

  • Hormone neutrality

  • Slip (for daily massage without drag)

Ingredients that truly shine here

  • Tallow – biomimetic, repairs barrier

  • Lanolin – unmatched elasticity + TEWL reduction

  • Cocoa butter – structural, antioxidant, firmness

  • Mango butter – softness without clogging

  • Apricot kernel oil – gentle, high oleic

  • Rosehip oil – yes, but low (supports dermal repair)

  • Squalane – optional, tiny amount for glide (belly only is fine)

Ingredients to be cautious with in a pregnancy oil

  • High coconut oil → not ideal here

  • Heavy essential oils → skip entirely

  • Too much beeswax → drags, traps heat

Ingredients, 400g total batch

Percentages

  • Tallow 38%

  • Lanolin 18%

  • Cocoa butter 12%

  • Mango or sheabutter 10%

  • Apricot kernel oil 15%

  • Rosehip oil 4%

  • Squalane 2%

  • Vitamin E 0.5%

Base Fats (Structure + Barrier)

  • Grass-fed tallow – 38%, 152 g

  • Lanolin – 18%, 72 g

  • Cocoa butter – 12%, 48 g

  • Mango butter – 10%, 40 g

Why:

  • Tallow + lanolin = elasticity + repair

  • Cocoa gives structure and antioxidant protection

  • Mango keeps it soft and non-waxy

Liquid Oils (Slip + Repair)

  • Apricot kernel oil (infused) – 15%, 60 g

  • Rosehip oil – 4%, 16 g

  • Squalane (olive-derived) – 2%, 8 g

Why:

  • Apricot = gentle, nourishing, pregnancy-safe

  • Rosehip supports dermal remodeling (stretch marks)

  • Squalane improves glide without greasiness

(Coffee-infused squalane is fine here if mild; otherwise reserve for face.)

Antioxidant

  • Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) – 0.5%, 40 drops

This 400g batch makes about 3 jars (4oz) plus extra, or 4x 15 g deluxe minis

  • 800 g makes 7 jars

  • 1200 g makes 10 jars (4 oz each)

If making for a baby balm, use even fewer ingredients:

Baby Balm (not whipped) — Best Possible Ingredients

  • Grass-fed tallow (primary base)

  • Cocoa butter OR mango butter (structure)

  • Tiny amount of beeswax (stay-put protection)

  • Optional: very small amount of olive or apricot oil

  • Vitamin E (low, for shelf life)

for:

  • diaper area (non-rash)

  • cheeks in cold air

  • cradle cap (light use)

  • dry hands / feet

  • post-bath moisture

Winter Hand Salve

  • Grass-fed tallow (still the hero)

  • Shea butter (this is where shea shines)

  • Beeswax (a little more than baby balm)

  • Optional: lanolin (low)

  • Vitamin E

Hands are exposed to:

  • wind

  • soap

  • friction

  • temperature swings

They need more grip and protection than a belly does.

but for hands that crack open, lanolin wins. Lanolin is especially helpful for hands that crack from water and soap — it helps restore flexibility so skin can heal instead of splitting again

Perfect Dish-Hands Salve

  • Tallow: barrier repair

  • Lanolin: elasticity + healing

  • Shea butter: toughness + longevity

  • Tiny beeswax: optional, for grip

Embedded Soap Details
0