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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Homemade belly balm for that prego belly

I have a short torso. How's that for start...Anyway, with Sofia's pregnancy my belly grew really big because there was no space for her to go but out. Of course my skin stretched a lot and I got terrible stretch marks. This time around I'm not skimping on the belly balm because it's expensive. Instead I'm making my own and using it when ever I want and saving money! Yesterday all my ingredients arrived from Rose Mountain Herbs and so I whipped up my first batch of belly balm using some of this recipe and additions of my own.

Here's what I got at the herb store: beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter. Then I got out my coconut oil, and almond oil.

Here are the approximate amounts I used. I did use a scale, but I was fractions off here and there. This will make enough for one 4 ounce container.

  • 1 fluid oz of almond oil (about 2 tbsp)
  • 2 oz coconut oil
  • 2oz shea butter
  • 2 oz of cocoa butter
  • 2 oz pure beeswax
Measure the ingredients into a glass bowl.

Then melt them together over a double broiler. The beeswax will take the longest, but be patient. 
 When everything is melted you can pour the liquid into your container or containers of you have smaller ones.  Let cool and your done!

I scrapped up all the cooled remaining bits in the glass bowl and used them yesterday. Don't want any to go to waste. Because of the cocoa butter, this balm smells a bit of chocolate.  I didn't add any essential oils because I wanted to try without.  Next time I might added lemongrass. I need to find a definitive list of okay essential oils during pregnancy. When I do I will share it with you. I don't mind smelling a little like cocoa though for the next batch I might leave it out.

Here are some other links to belly balm recipes.

3 comments:

  1. I've seen similar recipes for making lip balm and always wanted to try...but it seemed like a lot of work (and money?) for a small, small tub of balm! Maybe making batches and then giving away at the holidays would be the way to go...

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  2. It's totally affordable as the ingredients don't expire for a very very long time. The cocoa butter cost me $4.50 for a 4oz container for example. Lip balm would make a great gift.

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  3. Here's the lip balm recipe I spotted years ago... I have some small containers that might do the trick, maybe you've inspired me to give it a go!

    http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/07/lip-balm.html

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