My Pregnancy Bump Skincare Routine

I’m just weeks away from welcoming our baby girl into the world, and I felt inspired to reflect and write about some popular topics that might be helpful for others on their pregnancy journey. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to focus on my skincare as much as possible, especially on my growing bump. So, I wanted to do a roundup of my pregnancy bump skincare routine.

Amidst the numerous products circulating on social media and the overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start or what will work, let this article serve as your guide. I decided to keep my routine simple, relaxed, and let my skin (and growing belly) guide me into what I needed for each trimester.

Before I dive in, I want to emphasize that I’m still pregnant, so I can’t tell you whether these products prevented stretch marks or delivered any long-term miracles. I can tell you that they’ve kept my skin feeling silky, hydrated, nourished, and most importantly, not itchy (which, if you’ve been pregnant before, you know is a WIN).

So here’s my real, no-fluff breakdown of what worked for me, trimester by trimester, for my pregnancy bump skincare.

First Trimester

Bump-Friendly Products:

• Light Exfoliation: Kitsch Dry Brush and Kitsch Exfoliation Glove
• Bump Care: Nēmah Nourishing Belly Oil

In the first trimester, the bump is more of a “bloat baby” than anything else, but I figured it was the perfect time to establish good habits. I kept things minimal because, honestly, I was too exhausted to do much else!

I started incorporating dry brushing into my pre-shower routine a few times a week with the Kitsch Dry Brush. There’s something so satisfying about the gentle exfoliation it gives, while also promoting good circulation, and it made me feel like I was being proactive about keeping my skin healthy. Then in the shower, I’d use my Kitsch Exfoliating Glove to lightly buff away any dead skin and give everything a fresh, smooth feel.

For moisture, I used the Nēmah Nourishing Belly Oil daily after my shower. It felt luxurious without being too heavy, and the scent was subtle enough that it didn’t trigger any first-trimester nausea. Plus, massaging it in became this sweet little ritual that made the whole pregnancy feel more real.

Second Trimester

Bump-Friendly Products:

• Light Exfoliation: Kitsch Dry Brush and Kitsch Exfoliation Glove (same as first trimester)
• Bump Care: Nēmah Nourishing Belly Oil + Blossom Essentials Hydration Repair Honey Salve

Hello, second trimester glow! This was when my bump started actually looking like a bump, and I felt like my skin needed a little extra TLC. I kept up with my trusted Kitsch exfoliation routine because it felt so good and seemed to help everything absorb better.

I continued with Nēmah Nourishing Belly Oil as my base oil in the early part of the day. Still, I added Blossom Essentials Hydration Repair Honey Salve for those areas that felt like they needed an extra hydration boost or as a replacement in the evening. Sometimes it feels like my skin gets product fatigue and appreciates a change.

The honey salve is truly something special for any spots that feel particularly tight or dry. It’s rich and nourishing without feeling sticky, and I loved layering it over a light dose of oil for maximum hydration. I love this product so much that I can see myself continuing to use it after pregnancy. The texture is divine!

Third Trimester

Bump-Friendly Products:

• Light Exfoliation: Kitsch Dry Brush and Kitsch Exfoliation Glove (still going strong!)
• Bump Care: Glow Organic’s Pure + Organic Belly Oil, Blossom Essentials Hydration Repair Honey Salve, and Taddo’s Tallow Lotion Stick

By the third trimester, my bump has truly seen a transformation, and my skincare routine has needed to evolve with my changing body. I have still been faithfully dry brushing and using the exfoliation mitt, as they make me feel human during a time when bending over or even doing the simplest movement feels quite heavy and daunting.

Here’s where things have shifted: I ran out of the Nēmah Nourishing Belly Oil and decided to try Glow Organic’s Pure + Organic Belly Oil, as this was in a goodie box from Bump Boxes. As much as I loved the belly oil from Nēmah, this one absorbs so much better and doesn’t leave me feeling like I need to wait around before putting clothes on. It soaks right in and leaves my skin feeling nourished, not oily.

I have kept the Blossom Essentials Hydration Repair Honey Salve in rotation because my skin is working overtime at this point. But the real MVP of my third trimester? The Taddo’s Tallow Lotion Stick. Let me tell you, when you can barely reach parts of your body and your mobility is limited, and “graceful human” no longer exists, having a product you can easily glide on without having to rub it in is a blessing. This lotion stick is perfect for quick touch-ups and hard-to-reach spots.

Fourth Trimester

Bump-Friendly Products:

• Light Exfoliation: Kitsch Dry Brush and Kitsch Exfoliation Glove
• Bump and Stretch Mark Care: Marigoldbub Stretch Mark Eraser

Once the baby is here, my focus will be shifting from prevention to recovery and helping my skin bounce back. I plan to continue with my trusty Kitsch exfoliation routine because consistency has been key throughout this whole journey, and my skin still craves that gentle circulation boost.

What I am excited to try next is the Marigoldbub Stretch Mark Eraser for the pesky stretch marks that have appeared on other parts of my body outside of the bump. I had the honor of meeting with the founder of this brand, and she expressed that this product is a must-have for helping your skin recover from stretching. I am looking forward to making this product my postpartum skin companion. Pregnancy can take a significant toll on the body, and I look forward to focusing on areas that need a little extra love and attention as my body adjusts to its new normal.

I am reminding myself that the fourth trimester is all about being gentle with yourself—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Some days I remember my skincare routine, and some days I’m lucky if I have the energy to change out of my PJs in the morning. And that’s completely okay.

Why These Products Matter

Throughout my pregnancy journey and even prior to it, I have been intentional about choosing products that align with my values and what feels right for this special time. All of these brands share something beautiful in common—they’re smaller, woman-owned businesses that truly understand what it means to support moms through this transformative experience.

What drew me to these products:

Clean, Natural Ingredients: Every single product I chose prioritizes natural, safe ingredients that I felt comfortable using on my changing body. From plant-based oils to nourishing honey and tallow, these formulations focus on what skin actually needs without unnecessary additives or harsh chemicals.

Intentional Formulation: These aren’t mass-market products churned out without thought. Each brand has carefully crafted their offerings specifically with pregnant and postpartum women in mind, understanding our unique needs and concerns.

Supporting Small Business: There’s something special about supporting brands where real women have poured their hearts into creating products for other women. These companies aren’t just selling skincare—they’re building community and offering genuine support for the motherhood journey.

Gentle Yet Effective: Every product delivered on being gentle enough for sensitive, stretched skin while still being effective. No irritation, no overwhelming scents during those nausea-prone months, just products that work harmoniously with your body’s changes.

Accessibility: While these are quality products, they’re not prohibitively expensive or hard to find. These brands understand that pregnancy and new motherhood come with enough stress without breaking the budget for basic self-care.

What I love most is that choosing these products felt like I was surrounded by a community of women who truly get it—the uncertainty, the physical changes, the desire to nurture yourself while nurturing your baby. That support and understanding is priceless.

Love Note

Looking back on this whole journey, I’m so glad I kept things simple and listened to my skin rather than getting overwhelmed by all the “must-have” products out there. My skin has felt comfortable throughout pregnancy and hopefully will continue into postpartum—no crazy itching, no feeling like my belly was going to crack, and definitely no regrets about my laid-back approach.

Now that I’m close to the other side, I still can’t promise these products prevented stretch marks or solved every skin concern, but I can say they kept me feeling nourished and comfortable when my body was doing miraculous things.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Listen to your skin and don’t overcomplicate things. Some days, I followed the full routine, and on others, I just grabbed whatever was closest to the bed. Both approaches were perfectly fine.

Every pregnancy is different, every skin type is different, and what works for me might not work for you—and that’s completely okay! The most important thing is finding products that make you feel good and taking those few moments each day to connect with your changing body.

Have you found any pregnancy bump skincare or postpartum skincare favorites? I’d love to hear what’s working for you!

Copyright 2025 – Simply Ashley Graham – All Rights Reserved