Best Body Lotion for Pregnancy

Looking for the best body lotion for pregnancy?

Then let us help with this guide to the best body cream for pregnancy!

One of the unfortunate side effects of pregnancy is skin problems. Women experience stretch marks, increased acne, dark spots, dry skin, and more, so finding the best body moisturizer for pregnancy will help keep your skin moisturized and happy.

Women with eczema typically note an increase in dry skin condition, but dry skin is common during pregnancy even if you don’t have eczema.

This is even more true during winter pregnancies!

Not all body lotions are suitable for pregnancy. The cream absorbs into your body, and the last thing you want is any lotion that may contain harmful ingredients suitable for you or your growing baby. So, if you want a pregnancy-safe body lotion, here are some of the top choices.

And if you love this guide on the best pregnancy safe body lotion, then make sure you also check out these guides on best pregnancy gifts for first time moms, things new moms need for themselves, best pregnancy safe foundation, and best body washes for pregnancy. Or even our guide on the best self tanner for pregnancy.

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Best Body Lotion for Pregnancy

1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin – Our Top Pick

CeraVe Moisturizing Body Cream is one of the top-rated choices recommended by dermatologists all over. If you have dry, flaky skin, the rich, creamy texture feels great and soaks into your skin, dramatically improving the dryness.

It may be rich, but it’s not too thick. This light formula helps your skin heal for hours after application. However, this body cream isn’t just for dry or oily skin; anyone can use it!

CeraVe uses a mix of ceramides and hyaluronic acid that ensures your pregnancy-caused sensitive skin won’t suffer from rashes or reactions. In addition, these ingredients are safe from those who suffer from frequent acne, and the light scent won’t irritate your sensitive skin.

Another reason moms vote this is the best body lotion for pregnancy is that it contains three different ceramides that help maintain skin permeability while protecting it.

Pros:

• Dermatologist developed & recommended
• Gentle, non-irritating formula
• Suitable for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, and more
• Contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides and MVE technology for 24 hour hydration.
• National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance
• Fragrance free, allergy-tested, and non-comedogenic
• Hypoallergenic

Cons:

• Rich texture that some may not like

2. Belly Butter by Earth Mama – Best Organic

Earth Mama creates some fantastic products for pregnant and postpartum women, and their Belly Butter is one aspect of their lines. If you’re worried about toxic ingredients and chemical additives, you’ll love Belly butter.

This formula uses rich, safe, organic ingredients that nourish and hydrate your skin without any toxic chemicals. As a result, it prevents and reduces pregnancy stretch marks while reducing the itchiness you may experience with dry skin. Earth Mama doesn’t use mineral oil, petroleum, parabens, or artificial fragrances in its products.

Belly Butter contains organic aloe, giving your skin a youthful appearance and improving collagen production. Organic olive oil creates a long-lasting moisture barrier to reduce water loss from your skin, and it leaves a light, calming scent.

This body lotion absorbs quickly into your skin without any greasy residue and gives your skin a healthy glow. Some women say this lotion has a light scent that might remind one of orange creamsicles.

Pros:

• Made with organic ingredients
• Free from mineral oil, petroleum, parabens, or artificial fragrances
• Dermatologist tested
• Clinically tested for irritation
• Vegan and Cruelty-free
• Certified Plastic Neutral

Cons:

• Light scent, which although is pleasant, may be an issue if you are struggling with nausea

3. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion – Best Budget

Another of the most trustworthy brands on the market is Aveeno, recommended by dermatologists all over, giving you peace of mind when you use their products. Their Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion is an excellent option for pregnant women; it uses their unique formula to treat itchy, dry skin in the safest way possible.

Aveeno uses a combination of Triple Oat Complex and shea butter to relieve your itchy, dry skin and return it to your beloved healthy, soft, and smooth skin you had before. In addition, their formula keeps your skin hydrated for 24 hours, and since it absorbs quickly into your skin, it won’t leave any greasy residue behind.

If you have sensitive skin, Aveeno Skin Relief is an excellent option for you because it is fragrance, steroid, and soap-free, making it perfect for all skin types.

Pros:

• Clinically proven relief for itchy, dry skin with 48-hour moisture
• Dermatologist-recommended
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Triple Oat and hydrating natural shea butter formula is soothing relief for itchy, dry skin
• Free of fragrances, parabens and dyes
• Non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula
• Affordable

Cons:

• Bottle pump is not as durable as it could be

4. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Daily Skin Body Lotion

Another excellent option for body lotion is the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Skin Body Lotion during pregnancy. You never have to worry about ingredients that may not be safe; women have trusted their brand for years. Their unique formula is perfect for your pregnancy skincare routine.

Palmer’s relies on a key ingredient – cocoa butter. This simple yet effective ingredient moisturizes and nourishes your skin while healing stretch marks and skin blemishes.

This lotion contains vitamin E to help enrich your skin and plant-based ingredients that improve your skin’s overall appearance. When you apply the cream, it dries quickly without leaving any sticky or oily residue behind.

Pros:

• For normal to dry to extra dry skin
• Contains vitamin E
• Plant-based ingredients
• Locks in moisture for up to 24 hours
• Free of parabens and phthalates 

Cons:

• Bottle pump is not as durable as it could be

5. Eucerin Skin Calming Lotion

Those who suffer from eczema-prone or chronically dry skin know that Eucerin is one of the best lotions out there. It keeps your skin moisturized for 24 hours using natural, effective ingredients. The cream absorbs rapidly into your skin and starts working immediately.

Eucerin’s formula is non-comedogenic and free from harmful ingredients like artificial fragrances, dyes, and chemical additives. In addition, the added emollients create a barrier on your skin that protects it from environmental aggressors, so if you are prone to dry skin, Eucerin is an excellent choice. This makes it a perfect choice for the winter season.

You may want to check out our CeraVe vs Eucerin review!

Pros:

• Dermatologist recommended brand
• Provides 24 hours moisturization
• Emollient-rich formula with natural oatmeal helps soothe dry, itchy skin
• Free of fragrances and dyes

Cons:

• Some found it left a greasy feeling

6. The Honest Company Hydrating Face + Body Lotion

Honest Company Hydrating Face + Body Lotion is a dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic body lotion suitable for all skin types and ages including pregnant women, babies, and even the whole family!

Their formula is made without harsh and potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, dyes, synthetic fragrances or formaldehyde donors. Instead, Honest uses safe, natural derived ingredients so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin.

This lotion also has a fast absorbing consistency that ensures you aren’t left with a heavy, greasy or sticky feeling.

That’s a lot to like about this body lotion!

Pros:

• Dermatologist recommended
• Suitable for all ages and skin types
• Suitable for face and body
• Provides 24 hours moisturization
• Free from parabens, phthalates, dyes, synthetic fragrances or formaldehyde donors
• Naturally derived ingredients
• Hypoallergenic
• Quick absorbing

Cons:

• Light weight formula so may not be as effective as others on our list

7. Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion

Many pregnant women have to worry about skin sensitivity issues during pregnancy, and the Alba Botanica Body Lotion is an excellent option if you’re in this boat. It is unscented and will leave your skin feeling smooth and soft.

Alba Botanica uses a hypoallergenic formula free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Their ingredients reduce inflammation and redness, leaving your dry skin healthy. In addition, the thick consistency spreads smoothly without any oily residue.

Pros:

• Provides 24 hours moisturization
• Free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances
• Thick consistency
• Hypoallergenic
• 100% vegetarian ingredients
• No animal testing
• pH balanced

Cons:

• Bottle pump is not as durable as it could be and can be hard to open

8. Better Shea Butter Unrefined Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter helps to hydrate and nourish your skin, which is why it has been used for years to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, improve acne scars, and reduce stretch marks in pregnant women. However, many women worry about the other ingredients added to cocoa butter lotions.

So, why not try unrefined cocoa butter to hydrate your skin while pregnant? Better Shea butter brings you high-quality, safe skincare products, and this 100% pure cocoa butter is an excellent choice. In addition, it is ethically sourced, and you never have to worry about the other ingredients.

Combined with shea butter, this body lotion soothes your skin, reduces redness and inflammation, and heals cracks or dryness. The buttery texture feels terrific when you apply it to your skin, and it won’t leave any greasy residue behind.

Pros:

• 100% pure cocoa butter
• Ethically sourced
• Suitable for all skin types
• Packaged in eco-friendly re-sealable pouches
• 100% food grade
• Perfect for making your own DIY Skincare

Cons:

• Need to create your own skincare lotion or body butter using this product

9. Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Body Cream

Weleda offers a dermatologist-tested cream that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. While it is primarily a face moisturizer, it works well on your hands and body.

Weleda Skin Food Cream is free of artificial dyes and fragrances, parabens, and formaldehyde. As a result, it’s safe for pregnant women with a low risk of skin rashes or allergic reactions.

The lotion formula uses an herbal blend of chamomile, calendula, and pansy that reduces dryness and protects your skin from moisture loss. In addition, calendula has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that soothe and heal damaged skin.

Pros:

• Organic ingredients
• Free of artificial dyes and fragrances, parabens, and formaldehyde
• Ethically sourced ingredients
• Cruelty-free
• Provides immediate moisture
• Leaves skin soft and smooth
• Partnered with TerraCycle

Cons:

• Some found it left a greasy residue

How to Pick the Best Body Cream for Pregnancy

Toxicity

Many lotions contain preservatives and potentially harmful ingredients that evidence shows may interrupt hormones or lead to skin irritation. Some components lead to cancer but are still included in products we regularly use on our skin.

Harmful ingredients you may find in lotion include phthalates, parabens, parfum, dyes, fragrances, retinoids, and hydroquinone.

Skin Type

You should also consider your skin type when selecting a body lotion. For example, hyaluronic acid-based creams are ideal for skin that is oily, dry, or a combination. However, some other lotions are better for one or the other, so make sure you read the description and understand what the lotion is intended to do.

How Moisturizing It Is

A good lotion should leave your skin feeling moisturized; it shouldn’t feel thick and heavy. Some thick lotions are harder to rub into your skin but feel good afterward. On the other hand, heavy creams may leave your skin oily or greasy, and oily lotions clog pores, which may increase the acne problems you already have during pregnancy.

You also may want to consider lotions for pregnant women that reduce stretch marks or redness on your skin. However, if stretch mark reduction is your primary goal, look for a lotion advertised for that.

Scent

Many pregnant women note that their sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy, so strong scents that may not have bothered you before may now. Sometimes, a heavily scented lotion may lead to nausea or dizziness. If heavy scents don’t bother you, this wouldn’t be a problem.

Another consideration is where the scent comes from. Artificial fragrances tend to be overwhelming and often contain unwanted ingredients. You’ll want to make sure that the lotion you use relies on natural ingredients for the scent.

What Lotions Should You Avoid When Pregnant?

Some ingredients used in lotions could be harmful to your health. Here are some components that you don’t want in your skincare products.

Retinoids

These are chemicals related to Vitamin A that you commonly find in lotions and skincare products. Typically, only a small amount is absorbed in the skin, but too much vitamin A or vitamin A derivatives cause congenital disabilities.

So, it’s best to avoid the use of retinoids in your lotion while pregnant.

Triethanolamine

This chemical is often used to balance pH, but long-term use irritates your skin, immune system, and respiratory systems. In addition, some studies link triethanolamine to cancer, and it’s related to toxic shock in marine life.

Parabens

Many companies use parabens as a preservative in their skincare and cosmetic products; it helps stop the growth of fungus and bacteria. However, parabens are known as hormone disruptors and increase the risk of breast cancer while also frequently irritating skin and causing allergic reactions.

Artificial Fragrances and Parfum

You may enjoy scented body lotion, but many of the scents come from a mix of chemicals that may irritate your skin or lead to allergic reactions. In addition, synthetic fragrances release VOCs that negatively impact indoor air quality and affect people with asthma and allergies. 

FAQs about Pregnancy-Safe Body Lotion

Final Thoughts on Best body Moisturizer for Pregnancy

Not all body lotions are ideal for pregnancy; you want to make sure you avoid potentially harmful chemicals that may increase the risk of skin irritation or an allergic reaction. However, these choices for the best body lotion for pregnancy are safe and will hydrate and moisturize your skin while reducing stretch marks.

And if you love this guide on the best pregnancy safe body lotion, then make sure you also check out these guides on the best deodorant for pregnancy, best pregnancy journals for new moms, and best pregnancy safe makeup brands.