DIY skin-firming belly jelly two ways (one for C-section mamas!)
It takes a while to adjust to our postpartum bodies.
It was so bizarre for me to go from being pregnant to not being pregnant. I know that seems obvious but I was so used to my giant belly and it was quite a shock when POOF I looked down and it was gone. I mean ... we still look a little pregnant after having babies but compared to the giant beach ball that was there before I felt so tiny.
Plus I had gotten in the habit of massaging my womb and for several weeks I kept doing it ... which looks bizarre when you're not pregnant.
See what I mean? I didn't intend to hold my belly here it just happened.
After Memphis was born I started using this postpartum jelly that my friend made for me (I can't take credit for the recipe.) I love it because:
- It smells lovely ... this is very important
- It moisturizes my skin (I use it everywhere, not just on my belly)
- It helps firm up the skin (I still have some loose skin on my stomach)
- All the ingredients are baby-safe and I even use it on Memphis sometimes
Once I ran out of the batch my friend made me, I asked her for the recipe to make another. She had modified it from this one.
Here's the recipe she used and that I continue to use, as well as one I modified for C-section mamas. My sister-in-law is having a baby boy soon by C-section so I wanted to make some for her. It's similar to the other but has a couple of additional essential oils to help with the scarring.
The process is the same so I'll write out the instructions once, just add the extra oils in if you're making a C-section version. I'm a Young Living rep now, so if you want to buy these oils send me a note and I'll help you out!
Skin-Firming Belly Jelly (or all-over lotion) Ingredients
- 1 c coconut oil
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil (I use Young Living)
- 10 drops frankincense essential oil (I use Young Living)
- 10 drops geranium essential oil (I use Plant Therapy)
Skin-Firming, Scar-Reducing Belly Jelly for C-Section Mamas
- 1 c coconut oil
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil (I use Young Living)
- 10 drops frankincense essential oil (I use Young Living)
- 10 drops geranium essential oil (I use Plant Therapy)
- 10 drops German chamomile essential oil (I use Plant Therapy)
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil (I use Plant Therapy)
Instructions
Put the coconut oil in a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer). Whip it up!
I bought this giant tub of coconut oil at Costco. So worth it.
Add the vitamin E oil and mix.
Add your essential oils. The C-section version will be a more yellow-ish color because the German chamomile is a dark oil.
That's it! Simple enough. Just put the concoction in a jar and rub on your stomach or anywhere, really. I use mine everywhere.
I’m addicted to this stuff but it isn’t a miracle worker. I’ve accepted the fact that I may always have a little extra skin on my belly. If you have some extra skin too, let it be a reminder that you carried an amazing human in there instead of a token of insecurity. I’m working on doing the same. ;)