Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm Is A Must-Have For Pregnant Moms

summer fridays babymoon belly balm summer fridays babymoon belly balm

I have a ton of opinions about which essentials actually matter for new parents, but nothing compares to having Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm at your disposal. Though I didn't experience too many horror stories associated with my pregnancy, having itchy skin was the worst.

It felt like my belly wouldn't stop stretching (obviously) and itching from 13 weeks on, and it was driving me up the wall — until I found Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm. It worked so well that I still choose to use it even though I'm not pregnant anymore.

Wondering what makes it so great? Scroll down for all the literal juicy details!

What is the Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm designed to target?

Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays' Babymoon Belly Balm was designed for pregnant moms whose skin is being stretched to house their growing little ones. Things can get a little itchy when as pregnancies progress so founders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland created this as a soothing alternative.

Why is it a must-have for new moms?

Amazon

New moms need this in their medicine cabinet because it has a velvet texture that instantly melts into the skin. I can't speak for other moms, but it can be annoying trying to rub extra creamy products into skin that already feels like sandpaper — eek!

No need to stress about whether or not Summer Fridays' Babymoon Belly Balm is safe to use during pregnancy because it is. It's 100% water-free, and it features ingredients like sunflower and avocado oils. Plus, the calendula scent is so lightweight that even the most fragrance-adverse mom will love lathering this on.

How did I use it during my pregnancy?

Jasmine Williams

When I was pregnant, I used this throughout the day and after showers because my belly constantly felt like fire ants were trekking across it. The itching sensation actually got worse towards the middle of my second trimester, which is around the same time my belly button was visible through tops and dresses I wore.

This belly balm was literally the only thing that stopped me from scratching excessively, and I'm sure it's why I didn't develop stretch marks on my growing tummy. That kind of in-the-moment relief plus the extremely effective stretch mark prevention definitely make this balm worth it!

Shop The Summer Fridays Babymoon Belly Balm

Amazon

Babymoon Belly Balm

I fell in love with vegan and clean products during my pregnancy because they were the only things that didn't trigger a bad case of the itchies on top of the side effects of having a round baby bump.

Here's a few postpartum tips to help you navigate life once you give birth!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Summer Fridays

As much as I love a little skincare splurge, I’m at the point where simplifying my routine takes priority. This means simpler products, gentler ingredients, and most importantly, cheaper options. Turns out, checking all three boxes is possible – I’ve just been looking in all the wrong places.

This Reddit thread highlighting the best “old school” beauty products helped me uncover some seriously underrated finds (for not a lot of money) and gather helpful tips about investing in skincare that really works – way better than the luxury-leaning products of today. A lot of the recommendations are also ahh-mazing for preventing or healing signs of aging. Score!

Scroll on to discover the 8 best “old school” beauty products that feel like a total treat for your skin, all recommended by skincare enthusiasts.

Amazon

1. Pond's Cold Cream

Forget the makeup wipes, and forget the micellar water! Operating as both a makeup remover and cleanser, the Pond's Cold Cream has been around for ages – and for good reason. Per Pond's, it "melts away all traces of your toughest makeup, while infusing skin with vital hydration."

This product has a cult following and around 3,000 5-star ratings on Amazon alone, even though you may think it's too "old school." Here's what Redditors had to say about it (it was mentioned over 20 times in the thread!):

  • “I have been a nurse for 15 years and I promise you every single woman over her '90s with great looking skin. I always ask what products they use.... Every single time it's Pond's."
  • “My grandmother started spending her pocket money on it as a young girl in the 1930’s and had beautiful skin until she died in her 90’s.”
  • “My grandmother lived to be 100. In her assisted living the staff asked me how her skin looked so good...what was her secret? I told them Pond's. She always swore by Pond's cold cream.”
A pack of three 3.5-ounce tubs goes for $15 on Amazon, so that's just $5 a tub – a total steal, if you ask me.

Target

2. Pond's Dry Skin Cream

Another Pond's product was touted for its approachable cost and effectiveness: the Dry Skin Cream. While the Pond's Cold Cream works as a makeup remover and cleanser, you can think of this product as a simple moisturizer to follow up with.

“I always come back to Pond's," one Redditor wrote. "It is affordable and one jar lasts MONTHS because the cream is so thick you don't need a lot to put on your face.” Talk about value!

I was using this product as a moisturizer both morning and night and found it to be super thick, but quick-absorbing. My skin always felt supple and hydrated after every use. Suddenly, I'm convinced to drop my current skincare routine in favor of this simple tub!

One 6.5-ounce container goes for just $6 at Target.

Amazon

3. Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream

One skincare enthusiast noted that the Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream is an “even more frugal” version of the Pond’s Cold Cream.

Meant to provide a deep cleanse and soften your skin just like the ever-popular Pond's option, a little goes a long way when it comes to this cream. You can currently find a 15-ounce tub on Amazon for $15, which will last you forever.

Amazon

4. Pears Face & Body Soap

I had never heard of this soap before discovering it via Reddit. After seeing it described as a "great, mild, glycerine soap," I might just have to give it a go because mildness is the top quality I look for in a soap or cleanser – I never want my skin's natural moisture to be washed away.

In fact, the official product description says the formula is designed to "attract long-lasting moisture to your skin."

The Redditor that brought this $9 (for a 2-pack on Amazon) soap up also said it's easy to find at the dollar store. BRB, headed there right now.

Amazon

5. Nivea Tinned Creme

Already being a big fan of Nivea's lip balm, I need to try this cream that comes in a convenient $10 13.5-ounce tin. Its provitamin B5-infused formula seems like a perfect fit for healing dry skin, which is especially helpful because I live in a cold climate.

While I might have overlooked this product if I was shopping by myself, it was these Reddit reviews that really flipped a switch in my mind:

  • “This is what I use on my face and it's been amazing. I've noticed some of the finer lines on my forehead and neck have been less noticeable and the Nivea is the only thing that's changed about my skincare recently so it's definitely doing something!”
  • “I had been traveling recently and ran out of my night time moisturizer so, bought a tin of old fashioned Nivea and have been using that at night. It is a revelation. It could be just wishful thinking but it really looks as if it has made a difference to some of the lines on my face and neck."

Amazon

6. Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Cream

When it comes to body lotion, I've found success with both cheap and expensive formulas alike. My go-to is the Palmer's Coconut Oil Body Lotion, and this "old school" pick looks like a great, similar option! Knowing that the formula is very simple (includes natural cocoa butter and pure lanolin) encourages me to try it out even more.

“I swear by Queen Helene Cocoa Butter lotion," one Redditor wrote. "A huge bottle is about four bucks at WalMart. I love it because it is on the thinner side and doesn't make me feel slimy and greasy. It's so old school, I don't think they've changed the logo or packaging in decades.”

A 3-pack of 15-ounce tubs goes for $29 on Amazon, putting each one roughly under $10.

Amazon

7. Albolene Cleansing Balm

Like Pond's Cold Cream and the Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream, Abolene is another reliable makeup remover and cleanser that comes in a creamy balm form. It gets the job done gently, thanks to its sulfate-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, and dye-free qualities. It's also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, which is friendly for sensitive or acne-prone skin types!

“I love Albolene for makeup removal, cleansing, and moisturizing!" one Redditor wrote. "My grandmother always swore by it.”

“When I was doing theater, Albolene was the very best for removing tough stage makeup," someone else responded. "Way better than other cold creams, so I would sure recommend it for waterproof or long-wear makeup.”

One 6-ounce tub goes for $8 on Amazon!

Amazon

8. Bag Balm Skin Moisturizer

Dry skin-havers will adore this $9 tin. It's made with only a handful of simple hydrating ingredients to nourish dry spots in all sorts of places: cracked hands, chapped lips, split heels, calluses, sunburns, cuticles, tattoos, and "much, much more," per the brand.

“Bag Balm is a favorite of mine!" one Redditor said. "Good for rough patches of skin like elbows and heels. Cheap, too!”

“Bag balm is absolutely amazing for everything!!" another person noted. "It also works great for hot spots on dogs. That green tin is worth its weight in gold!”

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

It's out with the old, in with the new at Walt Disney World this year! After expanding EPCOT to include Remy's Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, as well as adding Tiana's Bayou Adventure to the Magic Kingdom, the next park to get a refresh is Animal Kingdom.

The last time Disney's Animal Kingdom got an exciting refresh was with the addition of Pandora, AKA the world of Avatar, in 2017. So, let's find out what's leaving — and what's coming next — at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom in 2025!

Scroll to find out which Walt Disney World attraction is closing in March 2025!

Walt Disney World

"It's Tough to Be a Bug!" will officially close "permanently" on March 17, 2025, according to Walt Disney World. The iconic attraction is leaving after nearly three decades and is set to be replaced by a new 3D show, "Zootopia: Better Zoogether!" in the winter.

Situated in the Tree of Life Theater, located in Animal Kingdom, "It's Tough to Be a Bug!" first opened on April 22, 1998. Inspired by A Bug's Life, the animated Pixar film, this attraction is a 4D experience that has received mixed reviews.

One TripAdvisor review says, "Not really worth the wait for how short the show is. A little scary, but some cute effects with the steam and water. A couple kids were crying." However, another review called the attraction "brilliant" with "totally unexpected laughs."

Parkgoers wear bug-eye glasses and watch as Flik navigates bug life in 4D. You'll sense creepy crawlies on the ground, you'll smell a stink bug, and watch as the bugs prove how tough it is to be — you guessed it — a bug!

Looking for more travel news? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a thing!

There’s a newcomer in Trader Joe’s skincare section, and it’s already sending fans into a frenzy! Said to be a solid dupe of the ever-popular Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench Body Butter, this limited-time TJ’s product goes for just $7, but shoppers say it’s still as rich, hydrating, and fragrant.

Read on for more info on this latest Trader Joe’s beauty drop!

Trader Joe's

The new find is none other than the Ultra Rich Body Butter, a “mega-moisturizer” that Trader Joe’s says is designed to “deeply hydrate and restore your skin’s natural glow.”

Reddit

Its formula is packed with plenty of shea butter, along with nourishing coconut oil, passion fruit seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and Copaiba resin to really help target dry skin. The formula is touted to be extra creamy and thick, all while boating a warm vanilla orchid scent.

Sephora

Trader Joe’s shoppers were super quick to compare the all-new Ultra Rich Body Butter to one of Sol de Janeiro’s body care products, the Delícia Drench Body Butter.

When one TJ’s fan asked about the product’s scent on Reddit, one user noted that “it smells like a clean floral vanilla but not heavy on any of those in particular if that makes sense. It actually reminds me a lot of Sol De Janeiro 59 scent if you've ever smelled that.”

Another Redditoralso dared to compare the two products: “I bought 2 today! It really does smell like Sol de Janeiro Delicia body butter but way thicker.”

Reddit

Aside from the scent of the Ultra Rich Body Butter, Trader Joe’s shoppers who’ve tried the product are loving the texture of it. A few fans on Reddit sounded off about the thick formula:

“Shockingly, it ABSORBS really well!” one person said.

“Once on, it soaks in, hydrates well and has a pleasant, light scent that lasts too,” another user commented.

Sephora

While one 8.1-ounce tub of Sol de Janeiro’s Delícia Drench Body Butter goes for $48, the new Trader Joe’s body butter costs just $7 for 8 ounces.

Wowza! We can’t wait to get our hands on this new find.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more fan-fave Trader Joe's products!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

1923 season 2 premieres on Paramount+ February 23, and Michelle Randolph (who plays Elizabeth Dutton in the cast) is "so excited" for you to watch the new episodes — and she's been keeping up with all your fan theories!

"There are some crazy ones. I feel like the biggest fan theory thing is the family tree," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I've seen many different family trees and so it's like, 'OK, which one's accurate?' I actually drew my own at one point."

Here's what Michelle Randolph had to say about 1923 season 2, and the Dutton family tree, in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 interview.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."

Check out the 8 Compelling Historical Fiction Books To Read While You Wait For 1923 Season 2 and read our interview with Julia Schlaepfer where she teases the Spencer and Alex's future.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You could be secretly — an unintentionally — self-sabotaging in your day-to-day life in more ways than you know. From your job to your friendships, there are probably a few ways that you're counting yourself out and putting yourself last when you don't have to. And that kind of self-sabotaging behavior? It's seriously bringing you down.

Rest assured that this isn't another article meant to make you feel bad about yourself though. It's more of a friendly nudge for all of us to stop being so mean to ourselves because self-sabotaging isn't exactly rooted in self-love. It's like setting small parts of ourselves on fire...then complaining about how much it hurts. That doesn't sound fun, does it?

If you're vigorously nodding your head, let's make a vow to do things a little differently. But first, we have to face the subtle signs of self-sabotaging we just can't seem to stop doing.

Buckle up because we're exposing 10 signs you're actually self-sabotaging!

Mikhail Nilov

1. Treating Procrastination Like It's The Love Of Your Life

We see you snickering to yourself, but it's time to evaluate your relationship with procrastination. Whenever you do it, does it make you feel better about yourself or do you rush to complete whatever you were supposed to do? If you've noticed your habit is a daily part of your life, chances are other people know about it too.

One study found that "1 in 4 Americans say their friends expect them to procrastinate on takes" while "1 in 12 say even their employer expects" late tasks. It may elicit a few jokes, but we wouldn't be surprised if you told us people are starting to rely on you less because you're not starting things when you said you would.

We know it's familiar to reach for procrastination, but it's not helping you in the long run.

Polina Tankilevitch

2. Critiquing Your Appearance Like You Have A Built-In Bully In Your Ear

We couldn't decide if this should be the first self-sabotaging thing we covered, but we know it's serious enough to talk about early on. The Florida House Experience discovered almost 50% of women begin questioning their body as they age which is scary to think about. But what if you're doing that now?

It's easy; we know. Still, there's no reason to repeat negative things about yourself like you're an annoying internet bully who likes to pick fights with everyone. It's soul-crushing and puts you in a position to find new things to critique no matter how many times you swear you'll stop.

Find ways to counter whatever negative thing you're thinking. Here's a few of our tips:

  1. Instead of saying "My body doesn't look like the girls on social media," say "My body's been keeping me healthy so far and I love it for that."
  2. Instead of saying "My face is terrible because I have so much acne," say "My face is doing it's best to signal that I need to take care of something."
  3. Instead of saying, "I hate that I have to wear glasses," say "How cool is it that I get to wear something stylish that also helps me see?"

Anastasia Shuraeva

3. Treating Yourself Because "You Can't Spend It When You're Gone"

We're not financial experts whatsoever, and we honestly don't believe in restricting yourself to the point you can't ever enjoy your money. It's just you shouldn't carry recurring debt so you can have the fun you want. You could be an emotional shopper or have a huge FOMO; two things we know a lot about. Usually we'd say it doesn't matter, but your underlying why absolutely does.

The only person who can get to the root of what's causing you to spend excessively is you, though we'd also argue that a therapist and financial expert can help you even more.

cottonbro studio

4. Not Cleaning Up After Yourself Regularly

The thing about cleaning is that you don't have to love it to do it. It's more about making sure you respect and value the space you're in more than making sure your inner child is appeasing your parents. Leave them and anyone else out of the equation for once.

Wash your dirty dishes with old food stuck to them because you want to have something clean to put your new meals on. Wash, dry, and put away your clothes because not seeing a huge pile makes you less anxious. Put your shoes in a safe space so that you stop spraining your pinky toe.

See how that works?

Liza Summer

5. Being Scared To Set Boundaries Because You Don't Want To Be "Mean"

People pleasers to the front! You're still putting everyone else's needs and emotions before your own, aren't you? We see you and think you have a beautiful heart. We also think it's time for you to stop willingly allowing yourself to shrink or feel uncomfortable because you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

A hard fact it's time to understand is that you're never going to please everyone nor should you willingly accept toxic behavior. Your best friend or sister doesn't get a pass for making passive-aggressive comments if you wouldn't let a stranger do it.

Mikhail Nilov

6. Ignoring What You've Accomplished Because You Think You Can Do Better

What are you in a rush to prove Ms. Perfectionist? That you can make your boss regret passing you over for a promotion? Maybe you think you can make your ex regret mistreating you because you've gone on to accomplish everything they said you wouldn't.

Whatever your reason for chasing the next thing is, we want you slow down and look around you. If you're able to afford your rent or mortgage, have a car to get you from point A to B, or have received work accolades, you're not failing. You are doing so much better than you give yourself credit for and it's time to recognize that.

Every time you feel like you have to chase the next big thing, you're signaling to yourself that what you have done is insignificant and it's not. The fact you get up every day to try counts so it's time to give yourself more credit!

cottonbro studio

7. Pushing Your Partner Away Because You're Afraid Of Being Hurt

Eh, we're calling ourselves out big time here. Sadly, we're guilty of being mean to our partners because we've kissed a few snakes in the past and found ourselves nursing broken hearts after getting wounded. Unfortunately, this made us carry fear from past situations into our current relationships.

If this tune sounds familiar then you're probably guilty of starting drama with your partner before they can even think about playing with your feelings. But, what if they're a genuine person who cares about you and you're just being mean? Does that seem fair? Chances are you don't even realize you're doing it which makes this one of the trickier self-sabotaging things you've been doing.

We're not here to berate you for it though because —like we said — we've been there. If you want a shot at having the healthy relationship you want, you have to put down your proverbial fists though — trust us.

Christina Morillo

8. Being Afraid To Speak Up Work Because You Think Your Ideas Are "Stupid"

Hey, Ms. "I Want A Successful Career!" You're not going to get there if you bite your tongue whenever your boss asks if anyone has fresh ideas to share. We're guilty of sitting on things too because we've been overlooked in the past, but all jobs aren't like that.

If you work with a collaborative team where people genuinely care about your input, don't be afraid to speak up. Even if all your ideas don't come to fruition, it still helps when you actively bounce ideas off your co-workers.

This is the only time you'll hear us say this, but teamwork really does make the dream work.

Vlada Karpovich

9. Turning Down Event Invites Because You're Nervous To Be Yourself

Who made you feel like you have to hide from the world when you have so much greatness inside of you? Point them out so we can have a word with them. Just kidding, sort of.

Really, we're more concerned about how many opportunities you're letting pass by because it means you'll have to actually talk to people and let them see you. It's obvious someone wants to see you if you're receiving invitations to pop-up shops, NYFW shows, and even just a friend's birthday dinner!

If you've been dreaming about rubbing shoulders with certain people in the industry you work in, put your best foot forward and show up! You've been doing the work to get to this point so don't hold back.

We promise you've got this!

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