The Best Skincare for Pregnancy
I know we usually talk photography here, but can we chat about something else for a minute?
Your skin during pregnancy.
I’ve been photographing pregnant women for 15 years. And there’s a conversation about pregnancy skincare that happens pretty often. What do I do about the itching? Will these stretch marks fade? Why does my skin feel so tight and dry?
I get it. I’ve been there twice myself.
When I was pregnant with my first, my skin felt like it belonged to someone else. The stretching and dryness felt weird.
I felt lucky because I have access to this community of businesses serving families. Collaborating with maternity brands, talking to midwives, swapping notes with doulas and birth workers. That was super helpful to get real recommendations and try different products—from fancy stuff to drugstore basics, oils, balms.
I want to share with you my favorites.
Your skin stretches faster than it can keep up with, which is why the itching, dryness, and stretch marks happen. You can’t prevent all of it, but you can support your skin through it.
Here’s what actually helped.
The Pregnancy Skincare Products That Actually Work
These aren’t sponsored recommendations. I’m not getting paid to tell you about any of this. These are just the products that made a real difference for me during my pregnancies, and the ones our maternity photography clients keep telling me they love.
Technically made for babies, but so good it’s really for anyone.
This balm has a thick, creamy texture that melts into your skin without feeling greasy. It’s made with coconut oil, shea butter, and calendula. Simple, clean ingredients that actually do something. I used this on my belly every night during both pregnancies, and it became this ritual I looked forward to. Warm hands, slow circles, taking a moment to connect with my body and the baby inside.
For pregnant mamas, it’s perfect for stretch marks and that tight, itchy feeling that shows up in the second and third trimesters. I also used it on my breasts as they grew (because yes, they itch too).
When to use it: Every night before bed, and again in the morning if your skin feels tight.
Pro tip: Keep it in the bathroom so it’s part of your routine. Warm it between your palms first. It absorbs better that way.
Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve
This one is herbal, earthy, and deeply soothing.
It’s made with organic herbs like calendula, lavender, and marshmallow root. Ingredients that have been used for centuries to support skin elasticity and healing. The texture is richer than a lotion but lighter than the Bubbsi balm, so it works well if you’re layering products.
What I loved most about this salve was how it calmed irritated skin. During my second pregnancy, I had a patch on my right hip that was so itchy I couldn’t stop scratching it. This salve was the only thing that helped.
When to use it: Anytime your skin feels irritated or inflamed. I kept a tin in my bedside table.
Note: The scent is herbal and strong. If you’re sensitive to smells during pregnancy, test it first.
This is the only thing that helped fade my existing stretch marks.
I didn’t use Bio-Oil during my first pregnancy. I found it afterward, when I was dealing with the marks that had already formed. It’s a lightweight oil with vitamin E, calendula, lavender, and rosemary that’s been clinically tested for scars and stretch marks.
I massaged it into my belly, hips, and thighs every morning for about six months after giving birth, and the marks faded significantly. They didn’t disappear completely (that’s not how skin works), but they went from dark purple to barely noticeable silvery lines.
When to use it: During pregnancy for prevention, and postpartum for fading existing marks.
Pro tip: A little goes a long way. Three or four drops are enough for your whole belly.
For swollen feet and ankles. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
This cooling gel has peppermint and arnica, and it feels like heaven on tired, swollen legs at the end of the day. I didn’t discover this until my second pregnancy, but I wish I’d had it for the first.
Third trimester, summer heat, standing for hours during photo sessions. My feet and ankles would swell so much I couldn’t wear my normal shoes. I’d come home, prop my feet up, and massage this cream into my calves and ankles. The cooling sensation was instant relief.
When to use it: End of the day, whenever your legs feel heavy or swollen.
Bonus use: Also great for sore muscles if you’re dealing with back pain or hip discomfort.
Banyan Botanicals Healthy Hair Oil
This Ayurvedic blend with bhringaraj and amla saved my hair during pregnancy.
Pregnancy does weird things to your hair. For some women, it gets thicker and shinier (thanks, estrogen!). For others, like me, it gets dry, brittle, and starts falling out postpartum in alarming clumps.
This oil is deeply nourishing. I’d warm it slightly, massage it into my scalp and through the ends of my hair, and leave it on for an hour before washing. It smells earthy and grounding, and the ritual of it became a form of self-care during a time when I didn’t have much time for myself.
When to use it: Once a week, as a pre-shampoo treatment.
Note: This is a heavier oil, so you’ll need to shampoo twice to get it all out. Worth it.
The Photography Connection: Why This Matters
Here’s the thing I’ve learned after 15 years of photographing pregnant women:
When you feel good in your skin, it shows in your photos. And honestly, in life.
I can see it in how you hold your body, how you touch your belly, how you look at the camera. There’s a difference between a woman who’s been told her body is beautiful and a woman who actually feels beautiful. And part of feeling beautiful is feeling comfortable. Not itchy, not tight, not self-conscious about dry patches or stretch marks.
I’m not saying you need perfect skin to have beautiful maternity photos. That’s not what this is about. Your body is doing something incredible right now, and that shows up in the images no matter what.
But if taking care of your skin helps you feel more grounded, more connected, more at ease in your body during this time? That’s worth it. That matters.
I photograph women at full volume. Real bodies, real moments, real life. And the women who show up feeling cared for, who’ve taken the time to nourish their skin and their bodies, bring a different energy to the session. Not better, just different. More present, maybe. More themselves.
Beyond Products: What Else Helps
Pregnancy skincare products can do a lot, but they’re not the whole story. Here’s what else made a difference for me:
Water. I know, I know. Everyone says drink more water. But it actually matters. When I was consistently drinking enough water (half my body weight in ounces, plus extra because pregnant), my skin felt more supple and less tight.
Sleep. Easier said than done when you’re pregnant and uncomfortable, but sleep is when your skin repairs itself. Do what you can.
Gentle exfoliation. Once a week, I’d use a soft washcloth to gently exfoliate my belly in the shower. It helped the oils and balms absorb better.
What NOT to do: Don’t use retinoids, salicylic acid, or chemical peels during pregnancy. Stick to gentle, pregnancy-safe ingredients. If you’re dealing with severe itching (especially on your palms and feet), talk to your doctor. It could be a condition called cholestasis that needs medical attention.
Document This Time
Your body is changing. Your skin is stretching, adapting, making room for new life. It’s uncomfortable sometimes, yes. But it’s also temporary, and it’s worth remembering.
I photograph families at this exact moment. When everything feels overwhelming and uncertain, and also beautiful and fleeting. When your belly is round, your skin is glowing (or itchy, or both), and your whole life is about to change.
If you’re in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or anywhere in the NYC area and you want to document this time, that’s what we do. Real bodies, real moments, real life.
Hit us up, and let’s make it happen.
With love,
Mariliana / Founder and Creative Director, Stylish & Hip Kids Photography
