DIY Stretch Mark Cream: A Natural Recipe Using Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter

This recipe is a belly balm — not a stretch mark treatment. Shea butter and cocoa butter have been used for skin conditioning during and after pregnancy across West Africa for generations, applied as a daily moisturiser during a time when skin is changing rapidly. This recipe uses four traditional, single-ingredient African butters and oils to produce a dense, anhydrous balm with no water, no preservatives, and no synthetic additives. For a complete guide to natural skincare during pregnancy, see Natural Skincare for Pregnancy and Babies.

Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before using new skincare products during pregnancy. Patch test before first use.

What This Recipe Does — and What It Does Not Do

This balm is a daily skin moisturiser. It keeps skin supple and well conditioned during and after pregnancy — exactly what shea butter and cocoa butter have been used for in West African communities for centuries. It does not prevent stretch marks. Stretch marks are determined primarily by genetics and the speed of skin stretching — no topical product prevents them. For a full, honest account of what shea butter can and cannot do for stretch marks, see Does Shea Butter Help With Stretch Marks?

If you are pregnant and want to understand which Baraka ingredients are generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy, see Shea Butter During Pregnancy: What Is Safe and What to Expect.

Why These Ingredients

Shea butter (100g) — the base of the recipe. Grade A unrefined shea butter provides the primary occlusive lipid layer. It melts at body temperature, absorbs without leaving a residue, and is the ingredient traditionally used on skin during and after pregnancy in the communities where it is produced. For a full overview of what shea butter does, see Shea Butter Benefits.

Cocoa butter (50g) — added for firmness and structure. Unrefined cocoa butter is denser than shea butter and has a higher melting point, giving this balm a firmer texture than plain shea butter and making it easier to control during application. It is one of the most traditionally used ingredients for pregnancy belly moisturising. For a complete guide to cocoa butter in DIY, see Cocoa Butter – Ultimate DIY Guide and Recipes.

Baobab oil (40g) — the carrier oil, added to lighten the texture and improve spreadability. Baobab oil has a broader fatty acid profile than most carrier oils — including omega-3 — and a longer shelf life, which helps extend the shelf life of the finished balm. It absorbs quickly and leaves no heavy residue.

Kombo butter (10g, optional) — adds a mild warming sensation on application. This is a physical property of kombo butter — not a chemical heating agent. It also contributes additional firmness. Omit entirely if you prefer no warming sensation or want a simpler formulation.

Natural Pregnancy Belly Balm

Makes approximately 200g | Shelf life: 12–18 months | Equipment: double boiler or heatproof bowl over saucepan, kitchen scales, glass jar or tin

Ingredients:

• 100g shea butter (Grade A unrefined)
• 50g cocoa butter (unrefined)
• 40g baobab oil
• 10g kombo butter (optional)

Method:

1. Weigh all ingredients and set aside.
2. Melt the shea butter and cocoa butter together in a double boiler over low heat. Stir gently until both are fully melted and combined — approximately 5–8 minutes.
3. If using kombo butter, add it to the melted butter mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
4. Remove from heat. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes, then add the baobab oil and stir to combine thoroughly.
5. Pour into a clean, dry glass jar or tin. Do not seal until completely cool — approximately 1–2 hours at room temperature.
6. Once set, the balm will be firmer than plain shea butter. Store in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight.

Application: Apply a small amount to slightly damp skin — belly, hips, thighs, and breasts — after bathing. Warm between the palms before applying. Press gently into the skin rather than rubbing. Use daily for best results.

Notes:

• The kombo butter adds a mild warming sensation on application — this is a physical property of the butter, not a chemical heating agent. Omit if you prefer no warming sensation.
• Do not apply to broken or irritated skin.
• Patch test before first use: apply a small amount to the inner arm and wait 24 hours before using on larger areas.
• Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy.

After Pregnancy: Using This Balm Postpartum

This balm works well as a general body moisturiser for postpartum skin, which is often dehydrated and sensitive after birth. The same ingredients — shea butter, cocoa butter, baobab oil — are well tolerated by most skin types and can be used on the belly, hips, and thighs postpartum as part of a daily moisturising routine.

Unrefined shea butter and cocoa butter also have a long history of use on infant skin in West Africa. If you want a version of this recipe specifically designed for newborn skin, see DIY Baby Balm.

Related Recipes

For a general-purpose body butter recipe using shea butter as the base, see How to Make DIY Body Butter: The Complete Guide. For real accounts from people who have used these ingredients during pregnancy and postpartum, see Baraka Customer Stories: How People Use Our Shea Butter and Why It Works.

All Baraka ingredients are available with full sourcing documentation. Browse the complete Butters Collection and DIY Ingredients Collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does shea butter prevent stretch marks?

Shea butter does not prevent stretch marks. Stretch marks are determined primarily by genetics and the speed of skin stretching — not by the presence or absence of a moisturiser. Shea butter and cocoa butter are traditionally used for skin conditioning during and after pregnancy — keeping skin moisturised and supple is the goal. For a complete guide to this question, see Does Shea Butter Help With Stretch Marks?

Is this recipe safe to use during pregnancy?

The ingredients in this recipe — shea butter, cocoa butter, baobab oil, and optional kombo butter — are all generally considered safe for topical use during pregnancy. They are single, plant-derived ingredients with no synthetic additives, no preservatives, and no essential oils. Always consult your healthcare provider or midwife before introducing new skincare products during pregnancy, and patch test before first use.

Can I use this recipe after pregnancy?

Yes — this balm works well as a general body moisturiser for postpartum skin. It is also suitable for baby skin — unrefined shea butter and cocoa butter have a long history of use on infant skin in West Africa. See DIY Baby Balm for a recipe specifically formulated for newborn skin.

What does kombo butter do in this recipe?

Kombo butter adds a mild warming sensation on application, which is a physical property of the butter, not a chemical heating agent. It also contributes to the firmness of the balm. It is optional — omit it if you prefer no warming sensation or want a simpler formulation.

How long does this belly balm last?

Correctly stored, this balm lasts 12 to 18 months. Keep it in a sealed jar in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight. Always use a clean, dry spoon or spatula to scoop — introducing water into the jar will shorten the shelf life significantly.

Can I substitute baobab oil with another oil?

Yes — baobab oil can be substituted with sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or another light carrier oil. Baobab oil is preferred in this recipe because of its broader omega fatty acid profile and longer shelf life. Whatever oil you use, choose cold-pressed and unrefined.

What is the consistency of this balm?

This balm sets firmer than plain shea butter because of the cocoa butter content. At room temperature it will be solid or semi-solid. It melts easily on contact with skin. For a softer consistency, reduce the cocoa butter to 30g and increase the baobab oil to 50g.

Where can I buy the ingredients for this recipe?

All ingredients are available directly from Baraka — Grade A unrefined shea butter, unrefined cocoa butter, cold-pressed baobab oil, and optional kombo butter, all sourced through direct cooperative relationships in Ghana's Upper West Region and traditionally processed with zero chemical extraction at any stage.

About the Author

Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.