Nowadays, it is more common than ever for women to give birth via a Cesarean section. Whether attributed to a women’s individual health or because many women are giving birth later in life, this delivery method is steadily growing in popularity.  According to recent studies conducted at Harvard Medical School, “one in three babies is born via C-section, which is a 50% increase over the past decade.” 

For moms who have undergone a C-section, they now have an additional surgery recovery time to worry about. and then added on top of that is an obvious scar.  Belli’s Surgical Scar Reducer is a perfect (dermatologist-recommended) solution to C-section scars and other surgical incisions.

Another little hint about this product is that it is good for any kind of scars - including scarring from pregnancy acne. 

And now a word from our sponsor: Just wanted to put something out there if you're looking for a gift for a new mom. Trust me when I say that her hospital room is already overflowing with balloons, flowers, and teddy bears, and shouldn't your gift be original? Get the Belli Bundle of Joy gift set -- we promise she'll love it! Includes 4 safe, pampering phthalate-free products: Calm Me Hair & Body Wash 4 oz, Nourish Me Enriched Lotion 4 oz, Pamper Me talc-Free Powder 2 oz and Protect me Diaper Rash Cream .5 oz.

I have been compiling a list of recession friendly skincare tips. My list includes convenient and multifunctional products that deliver results, save time and my wallet.  For example, one helpful tip I've picked up this year: you can use olive oil for a heart healthy dinner BUT you can also rub and leave it on your hair's split ends.  If anyone has any tips that have been saving them $ in this economy, please share by posting your tip on this blog!

During the winter months, finding a multi-purpose moisturizing product is important for the different needs of your skin. This is especially important when you're a new mother that is breastfeeding.  The breasts can become especially tender and dry through the cold weather. Originally created to treat dry, cracked and sore nipples caused from breast feeding, Pure Comfort Nursing Cream surprisingly serves multiple purposes from healing chapped lips to moisturizing dry hands and feet.  Very recession friendly, the Pure Comfort Nursing Cream is available for $12.00. And, of course, in addition to being the most safe pregnancy skincare on the market, Belli only offers the safest solutions for new moms and their babies.

Thanksgiving - the most traveled day of the year - is right around the corner.  While travel has always been a somewhat stressful experience, in recent years increased airport security, rising costs of airline tickets, delayed flights and gridlock traffic and other factors have made travel even more tiresome. On top of this stress, dry air in the airplane cabin and abrupt climate changes can cause dehydrated skin for you and your baby. After a long flight, skin can become dry, itchy and irritated.

Lately, at Belli we've been traveling a whole lot so here are some tips from the team here to keep skin hydrated (and baby's too!):

1. Drink a lot of water. Usually I buy a bottle before I get on the flight because those little cups don't do the trick (and as much as you're feeling stress, don't shell out for a bloody mary! Alcohol, tomato juice, etc. - they're all very dehydrating). Make sure your baby is drinking a lot of fluid too
2. On that note, try to avoid the salty airplane snacks
3. MOISTURIZE!!! before leaving and after arriving at your destination

For moms and moms to be, try Belli's All Day Moisture Body Lotion from our safe pregnancy skincare collection and for your baby try safe, moisturizing phthalate free products such as Nourish Me Enriched Body Lotion.

Unfortunately, reality has hit and I have done the mandatory wardrobe switch.  Shorts, tank-tops and bathing suits into boxes and out come the sweaters, scarves and lined wool pants. Winter is here, ladies.  I think that we're all a lot more conscious of the appearance and state of our tootsies during the summer since we're all in sandals. But good foot care is arguably more important during these winter months.

Harsh, cold winter air can be really brutal on feet, causing excessive dry and cracked skin.  For pregnant women, the excess weight carried during the final trimesters of pregnancy can make matters much worse with swollen ankles and sore calves. What's the trick?  A good foot cream.  What's even better than using a foot cream?  Asking your significant other to apply it to your "barking dogs", while giving you a relaxing massage.  Ahhhhh bliss.

During these harsh winter months, look for a foot cream that is comprised of only safe ingredients during pregnancy:
1. Helps reduce the skin’s pain, burning and inflammation  
2. Decreases presence of rashes, spots and fungal infections   
3. Facilitates in moisturizing and soothing dry, irritated skin      

You know you can trust Belli's Foot Relief Cream, from Belli's safe Pregnancy skincare line. It is an aroma-therapeutic, anti-bacterial, moisturizing massage treatment that comforts swollen, tired feet and relieves calf cramps.  Perfect hint... I mean stocking stuffer this holiday season for your significant other too!