By Eve O’Neill
We asked our readers at pregnancymagazine.com, “What has made being pregnant the most fun?” The most popular answer—by a landslide—was “taking time for myself, without feeling guilty.”
Enter the “belly facial,” a simple treatment to help relieve discomfort associated with stretching skin. Jeannie Jarnot, spa director at The Carneros Inn in Napa, CA, says belly facials “help prevent stretch marks and really build skin elasticity.”
But aren’t stretch marks hereditary? Sort of. “The appearance of stretch marks is a sign of the collagen breaking down in your skin,” Jarnot adds. “While the breakdown of collagen is hereditary, a belly facial will help maintain skin elasticity and aid in rebuilding that collagen.”
Although it’s fun to head to a spa for a belly treatment, a belly facial is easy to do at home. Begin with an exfoliating product, like the Mama Mio Body Buff, and gently massage over your stomach in a circular motion to remove dead skin cells. After you’ve rinsed the scrub thoroughly, apply a generous amount of your moisturizing balm, sit back, and relax.
If you’re choosing your own products, Jarnot recommends avoiding anything with strong essential oils like rosemary and ginger. “One essential oil that we’ve had great success with is rose oil. It’s very soothing and safe for pregnant women,” she says.
Whatever you decide to use, leave it on your skin for about 15 minutes. It will make your skin look and feel better, while giving you time to get excited about your growing tummy.
From left:
Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter | $13
Mambino Organics Moisture Me Body Toning Oil | $27
Mama Mio Body Buff | $33
Body Benefits Natural Bristle Bath Brush | $7