Our Ingredients A-Z

…because it’s what’s inside that counts

We have spent years passionately researching oils, butters, emollients, extracts and skin actives, selecting them for their skin-loving, hydrating and soothing properties and - most importantly - pregnancy safety.

Mamas-to-be deserve the absolute best ingredients derived from nature are combined scientifically to nurture, soothe and empower through pregnancy, birth and into motherhood. We have provided information about each of our key ingredients and why they made the cut to be a part of our beautiful product range.

Baobab
Blueberry
Centella Asiatica
Chia Seeds
Chondrus Cripus
Coconut
Cranberry
Cucumber
Dessert Lime
Frankincense
Grapes
Grapefruit
Lavender

Mandarin Peel Essential Oil
Citrus nobilis
Extracted through cold pressing mandarin peel, this essential oil boasts a plethora of beneficial properties. It is renowned for its soothing and calming effects, making it an excellent choice for reducing stress. Mandarin essential oil is also beneficial topically to improve skin elasticity and promote cell regeneration, which may help diminish the appearance of stretch marks over time.
Its sweet, citrusy aroma also makes it a popular choice for aromatherapy, aiding in relaxation and mood enhancement.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Mango Seed Butter
Mangifera indica
The seed of this delicious summery fruit produces a solid oil, or ‘butter’, with wonderful moisturising qualities. It has historically been used to relieve itching and promote skin elasticity. Mango butter is a quiet achiever, and while it is less well known than cocoa and shea butters, it has proven skin protecting and repairing properties.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Marshmallow Root Extract
Althaea official
Whilst this is not the yummy puffy pink and white confection you have with a hot chocolate, it is still a wonderful treat, though for your skin instead of your tastebuds.
Marshmallow Root has a long history of being used in herbal concoctions and is known for its soothing and calming properties. It is thought to protect the skin’s natural Hyaluronic acid supply, aiding in keeping skin moisturised and plump.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Olive-based emulsifying wax
Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate
Lotions require an emulsifier to allow the water and oils to combine together. We have used a plant-based emulsifier derived from olive oil. It enables us to create a body crème that has a lovely light texture and beautiful skin feel. The emulsifier itself has moisturizing properties and promotes skin hydration.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème.
Pentavitin
Saccharide Isomerate
While this may not sound like a natural product it is actually a carbohydrate derived from corn - and who doesn’t love a good carb?
Saccharide Isomerate is an increasingly popular skincare ingredient due to its wonderful humectant (water attracting) properties. Studies show that it can increase skin hydration for 72hrs, support the microbiome, and reduce irritation, making it a perfect ingredient to support a blooming belly.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Punica granatum
Pomegranate’s vivid jewel-like seeds contain an incredible oil, rich in unique punicic fatty acid, which is known for improving collagen production, reducing inflammation, and promoting skin repair. This luxurious oil absorbs deeply to hydrate and soothe dry skin.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Rice Bran Oil
Oryza sativa
Rice bran oil has long been a favourite of ours and is one of the first oils that we researched when starting out in formulating and looked at substituting a different oil into a lotion recipe.
It is a deeply moisturising oil, helping keep skin supple, and is known for soothing irritation. It has long been prized in Asia, because it contains a substance, Gamma Oryzanol, that is thought to slow melanin production in the skin, helping with pigmentation.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Rosehip Oil
Rosa rubiginosa
We had to include this precious oil, well known for being fabulous in skincare. It is pressed from rosehips and is rich in linoleic and alpha-linoleic fatty acids - essential fatty acids that relieve itching, irritation and redness and are easily absorbed by the body. Rosehip oil is thought to improve the skin’s texture, improve elasticity and collagen production, and heal scarring.
Perfect for a blossoming belly.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Safflower Seed Oil
Carthamus tinctorius
You may have heard of the ‘heart smart’ high-oleic version of this oil and even seen it in supermarkets, but it is the high-linoleic version that we love and have chosen to use as the base of our belly oil.
Many other companies use a base of almond oil, but we wanted an oil higher in linoleic acid, and also nut free. Safflower oil protects the skin barrier and is one of the richest oil sources of valuable ceramides - which are like the ‘glue’ that helps maintain the skin's natural barrier function, promoting hydration and reducing moisture loss. Safflower oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in soothing irritated skin.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Shea Butter Esters
Buturospermum parkii
Anyone who has looked into creams aimed at pregnancy skincare will have heard of shea butter. It is a thick heavy butter that comes from the nuts of the African karate tree. We wanted the benefits of shea butter but not the heavy, greasy properties, and were excited to discover shea butter esters. These esters are eco-friendly and provide a lovely skin-feel and are a natural silicone alternative.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Tangerine essential oil
Citrus reticulata
Like its close relative mandarin essential oil, tangerine essential oil is pressed from the peel of the fruit. It has a lovely light citrus aroma that is sweet and refreshing and adds a cheery zing. Tangerine essential oil is soothing for skin and may aid in would healing and is protective of the skin’s barrier. From an aromatherapy perspective it is believed to promote a sense of calm and happiness - and we could all do with some of that.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Vitamin E
Tocopherol
Vitamin E is not only great for skin (it was very popular in the 90’s to open Vitamin E capsules so you could use the oil on your skin) but it is also used as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity and improve the shelf life of our luscious oils.
Watermelon Seed Oil
Citrullus vulgaris
Watermelon seed oil is a light and non-greasy oil known for its excellent moisturizing properties - which is why it is a trending ingredient in skincare products. Rich in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic, watermelon oil helps to maintain the skin's barrier function, promoting hydration and preventing moisture loss. Due to its phytosterol content, watermelon seed oil is renowned for its soothing and calming properties. With its refreshing and mild aroma, watermelon seed oil is a beautiful addition to our pregnancy products.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.

Baobab Seed Oil
Adansonia digitata
Baobab oil is a skin loving superstar that has been used by African women for centuries. Rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, it has historically been used as a skin healing oil and is highly moisturising and may aid in collagen formation. It has a beautiful balance of oleic and linoleic omega fatty acids that absorb well into the skin, maintaining the skin barrier and helping keep skin soft and supple.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Blueberry Seed Oil
Vaccinium corymbosum
Blueberries are not only delicious in a muffin or fruit salad, and well known as a superfood, but the oil is rich in antioxidants and extremely nourishing for your skin.
The oil is expelled from the seeds and is a byproduct of the jam industry. It is very high in linoleic and alpha-linoleic fatty acids that may regenerate tissue, increase skin elasticity and aid in healing scar tissue. The oil is also rich in antioxidant vitamin E compounds that aid in skin repair.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Chia Seed Oil
Salvia hispanica
Not only good in a healthy pudding, chia seeds are marvellous in skincare. The oil extracted from these seeds is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids.
One small study has found that even a small percentage of chia seed oil can offer relief from itching and skin dryness - two irritating symptoms of pregnancy that we aim to alleviate. We knew it was a must have in our belly oil.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Marine Moist (trade name)
Aqua, Chondrus Crispus extract and Sodium Hyaluronate
Ingredients from the sea are really trending right now and this wonderful ingredient combines Chondrus Crispus extract, a seaweed native to the European Atlantic coast, with Hyaluronic acid. It is highly hydrating, cooling, and soothing product with skin protective benefits - all properties that are perfect for the physical changes of pregnancy.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Coconut
Caprylic/capric Triglyceride
This ingredient is naturally derived from coconut and glycerine - it remains in a liquid state, improves the spreadability of the other oils, absorbs quickly, and is a great moisturiser. We have primarily used it to enhance the texture of our belly oil.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème.
Cranberry Seed Oil
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Cranberries are not only good for juicing or serving with turkey. The oil extracted from cranberry seeds not only has a wonderfully balanced fatty acid profile but is rich in skin-loving nutrients. It is known to soothe itchiness and irritation, heal and renew skin tissues, aids in the maintenance of skin elasticity, and is nourishing and conditioning. It is because of these valuable properties that we think it is a pregnant skin superstar.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Cucumber Seed Oil
Cucumis sativa
Cucumbers are light and refreshing, and so is the oil. It is amazing to think that those little seeds house a luscious oil that is a skin-soothing superpower. Not only containing a balance of fatty acids, this oil also contains phytosterols and silica which make it nourishing, hydrating, strengthening and regenerative.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.
Desert Lime Extract
Citrus glauca
This is a fabulous native Australian extracts. Renowned for its soothing properties, this botanical marvel can relieve itchiness and irritation. Packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, desert lime extract not only calms the skin but may improve collagen production and skin elasticity.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Frankincense essential oil
Botswellia carterii
Frankincense is an ancient oil, revered for its fragrance, and healing properties. Some studies indicate that frankincense oil may aid in skin healing and cell renewal and have anti-inflammatory benefits. It is also thought to promote feelings of calm and relaxation.
Frankincense has historically been used in perfume balms and we love the aroma, especially when combined with the freshness of citrus.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème.
Centella Asiatica extract
Gotu kola
Centella Asiatica is very popular right now as it is a skincare powerhouse. It is extracted from a small creeping plant (I recently realised it is growing prolifically in my front garden) that has been used in India for centuries. Centella Asiatica increases collagen production and is one of the few ingredients with demonstrated potential for preventing or improving stretch marks.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Grapefruit essential oil
Citrus Paradisi
Grapefruit essential oil is a favourite here at Maternology HQ. It has a lovely fresh and uplifting aroma, and, like the other oils in the citrus family, can ease feelings of stress and promote relaxation. It is lovely if you are feeling like your mood and energy need a little lift.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème.
Grape Seed Oil
Virus vinifera
While you may not be able to enjoy a wine at the moment, you can reap the benefits of a wine by-product with grape seed oil.
Rich in antioxidants, vitamins E and C, and linoleic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid) grape seed oil has wonderful moisturizing and nourishing effects on the skin, promoting elasticity.
Its lightweight texture means that it absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. Additionally, grape seed oil has been noted for its potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, contributing to its effectiveness in soothing irritated skin.
From an ecological perspective, grape seed oil extraction uses byproducts from the wine industry, reducing waste and providing an environmentally sustainable source.
We are loving this dual benefit of skincare efficacy and ecological responsibility.
Found in our ‘Sumptuous Bump’ luscious body crème
Lavender essential oil
Lavendula angustifolia
Lavender essential oil is one of the most well known and popular essential oils, and it is not hard to see why. Studies demonstrate that it has healing, soothing, antiseptic, and even pain-relieving, properties. Its lovely floral fragrance is known to have a calming and relaxing effect, and thus is frequently seen in sleep-aid sprays. With all these wonderful benefits, we had to include it in our products.
Found in our ‘Bloom & Glow’ luminous belly oil.