By: Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA
Body Wash
For cleansing my body, I used the unscented Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap during those times in my pregnancy when I needed to cater to my inability to withstand certain smells (more on this to come). They offer a variety of scents in their soaps from Almond to Peppermint. As a bonus, this soap is an 18-in-1 multipurpose soap that can be used not only on your face and body, but for household tasks like laundry and more. With that being said, I took advantage of this and used their soap as my hand soap (by simply pouring the soap into my hand soap dispenser). Additionally, their products contain “only the purest organic and fair trade ingredients”. There are also “no synthetic ingredients.” To learn more, view their website here. They also sell lotions, toothpaste, and other things. Dr. Bronner’s can be purchased from Amazon, Well.ca, Walmart, and other retail stores. To find a location close to you, visit here.
Another option for body wash is African Black Soap. Mamas Life Products has both the Black Soap Bar and the Black Soap Body Wash (the liquid form).
Toothpaste
Speaking of toothpaste, before I got pregnant, I was making my own - but for convenience, I switched to a store bought brand from a nearby health food store. Desert Essence and Tom’s of Maine are brands that may be of interest to you.
Body Butter
To moisturize my skin, I used body oils such as olive or coconut oil in the warmer seasons and something heavier, like a body butter in the colder seasons (fall, winter, and even into spring a bit). During my pregnancies, my sense of smell was heightened which made it challenging for me to stomach certain smells. I am grateful to have discovered Mamas Life Shea (Body) Butter because I was able to tolerate the fragrance in their products and I have been a consumer ever since. Side note: if I recall correctly, it was their Vanilla Shea (Body) Butter that won me over. In addition to its aroma which I didn’t find overpowering, it also helped to keep my skin moisturized. They “ethically source [their] shea butter directly from the two men in Ghana who are its main harvesters and suppliers.” To read more about their story, click here. Moreover, not only are they local to Toronto (located in Scarborough at the time that this blog was written), but they are also Black owned. Their body butters come in different scents and they sell other items which can be purchased from their website here or at a vendor closeby which can be found here.
Body Lotion / Cream
If you are interested in body lotions / creams, look into Attitude’s Blooming Belly Pregnancy Lotion. I also invite you to drop by a health food store close to you and / or explore Well.ca.
Stretch Mark Cream
Full disclosure, I am not a dermatologist. When it comes to stretch mark cream, I’ve heard that there is nothing you can use to prevent or eliminate stretch marks as it comes down to genetics. Despite that, some women swear by “x” product that helped them to prevent stretch marks. But if you want to roll the dice and take your chances, check out Attitude’s Blooming Belly Stretch Mark Prevention Oil. They are a Canadian company that prides themselves on “natural, hypoallergenic, and EWG verified” ingredients. For more information, view their website here. You can purchase from their website or a retailer around you, see their store finder here. You can also go to your neighborhood health food store and look into belly butters or belly oils like the ones from Earth Mama Organics or visit sites such as Well.ca for more options.
Deodorant
I used a natural deodorant from a local Black owned business called Natural Quest. Look at their website here to learn more about their company. Explore other brands including Attitude, Earth Mama Organics, and NO PONG to name a few.
Organic Panty Liners
I used (and still use) Natracare that I purchased from Healthy Planet. They carry other items such as wipes and more. Read their story here and see their store locator to find a location near you.
Whether this is your starting point or you’re already using natural products, I hope this blog was helpful in navigating your personal hygiene during pregnancy. As always, take deep care and be well, mama.
Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA
Certified Transformational Coach | Certified Essential Oil Specialist |
Certified ARōMATOUCH Practitioner | 200 YTT , Wholesome Mind Health Coaching