Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter Review

At almost 32 weeks pregnant, my tummy has swelled like a balloon. Really.

Yes, this tummy is mine!

Just so you know, there is an Old Wives' Tale on how to predict the gender of your baby by looking at your linea nigra. If it's straight, you are getting a girl and if it's crooked it will be a boy. Guess it's true in my case!

With my skin stretching to accommodate my big baby boy, I have been trying on a few different stretch marks cream. Yes, I know it is genetic and very much to do with your skin elasticity and no cream / oil can prevent that from happening.

However, curiosity got the better of me when I heard about Mama Mio's range. Specifically the pregnancy range. It was even a favorite of famous people like Penelope Cruz, Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian. And yes, it comes with a price of ZAR420 per tube of 120ml.

So when I walked past a spa shop close by and there was 20% discount on the item, I got myself the Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter.

Claims
This tube is a best seller. Protects your tummy (and boobs, hips and thighs) against stretch marks with their super-easticising omega-packed blend of natural oils in a hydrating shea butter base.

• maximum protection against stretch marks and itchy tummies

• No Nasties, safe to use when pregnant and nursing ( meaning no petrolatum, parabens, SLS, xenoestrogens, pthlalates, synthetic fragrances and any artificial colourants

• helps body bounce back quicker after baby

Ingredients

Shea Butter is the most potent healing butter. It helps restore skin tone and provides a protective barrier to lock in moisture. Interestingly, it contains a form of natural latex that helps build elasticity within skin to stave off stretch marks.

Borage Oil is an ancient oil used in the Far East for thousands of years, it’s one of the richest sources of Essential Fatty Acids omegas, specifically gamma-linolenic acid (rich in Omega 6) is very effective in healing damaged skin.

Wheatgerm Oil is rich in Vitamin E and is amazingly healing and nourishing to the skin. In addition Vitamin E is useful for its role as a powerful anti-oxidant, soaking up free radicals (so that’s age-defying) and helping those Omega-rich superfoods get on with their vital work.

Rosehip Seed Oil is very rich in Omega 3 and 6, which are beneficial for the treatment of damaged and distressed skin by providing intense moisturisation. This oil has the added benefit of naturally occurring trans-retinoic acid (think benefits of retin–A but without side effects) which is very helpful in preventing stretch marks.

Sweet Almond Oil (cold-pressed to get the very best quality) is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9, and very nourishing. It is highly moisturising and quickly absorbed, leaving a soft sheen on the skin with no residue.

Gravida is our amazing essential oil fragrance; a blend of 10 pregnancy-safe, pregnancy-specific natural oils – smells gorgeous to even the most sensitive of noses.

And a full monty ingredients list with extra info for the non-scientists amongst us, which I will spare you from reading here, is available on their site at http://www.mamamio.com/row/tummy-rub-stretch-mark-butter.html

The Verdict

I love the fact that it consists of natural ingredients with "No Nasties". This is probably my most important criteria in a tummy stretch mark cream / oil.  After ditching Bio Oil (which took too long to dry and stained my clothes with oil marks) and trying Oh-Lief's Tummy Wax (which I did a review on), I was really hoping to find something that is moisturizing yet non-oily and easy to apply.

Moisturizing
I must say Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter did the followings. I apply in the mornings before I go to work, and it still feels moisturized when I got home. I do notice that there is a waxy layer which looks like thin dried glue on my skin. Might be the ingredients creating a protective layer?

Texture and application
It is more creamy, and the consistency of the butter is easy to apply compared to Oh-Lief's. It is not at all oily.

Usage
However I find that I have to use quite a lot to fully cover my tummy as well as the sides. I need at least 3cm of butter to at least have a thin layer on me. I was not able to even put on my hips and bum!
After using it about two weeks, I am now applying it together with my no-name natural baby oil so that I won't use too much of it. Mama Mio also has similar product in oil form "Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil" which I did not purchase. Most of the reviews use them both together, which personally I think is a lot of money to put on my tummy.

Smell
From other reviews, many raved about the smell of the butter. I find it not offensive, but not my favorite smell either. It is much much better than cocoa butter smell though, which I find too sweet. I must say I am not the best in judgings of smells as reviews show 9/10 people love this smell. I guess it's a personal preference.

Effectiveness
I bought this tube as a preventative measure against stretch marks, so far so good. I am now at almost 32 weeks with no stretch marks.

Value for Money
Considering the price and the amount I have to put on, it is not going to last me long. My application together with baby oil does help though.

Overall
As someone who has sensitive skin and history of eczema, I am hugely satisfied to say they have not upset my skin at all.
Considering the value of money and usage, I will only buy the tube of butter again only if I use it with oil. However, I am interested to try Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil next. I hope that it is more economical when it comes to application and hopefully absorbs quick and not leave a stain like other stretch marks oil did.
I really love the fact that all Mama Mio products have no nasties and are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 
However, I will need to feel rich again before I can try on the Tummy Rub Oil to do a review :-) Stay tuned!