Mama Mio
Tummy Rub Butter
6.8/10 overall£24.00 (120ml)
A thick, pregnancy-specific body butter designed to soothe tight, itchy skin as the bump grows.
Check priceThe verdict
Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Butter is a thick, occlusive body butter formulated specifically for pregnancy, priced at £24 for 120ml with shea butter, cocoa butter and omega oils, and a fragrance-free version available. Best for very tight, itchy skin especially later in pregnancy where extra richness helps more than a thin oil. The clearest reason to skip it: it costs noticeably more per ml than oil-based alternatives and takes longer to absorb, making it less practical under clothes during the day.
Mama Mio built its brand specifically around pregnancy skincare, and the Tummy Rub Butter is its best-known product — a noticeably thicker, more occlusive balm than an oil like Bio-Oil, aimed at the tight, itchy skin that shows up most in the second and third trimester as the bump stretches quickly.
Because it's formulated specifically for pregnancy, the ingredient list is built around what's considered safe and gentle for that stage, which appeals to people who want a product designed for the job rather than a general-purpose oil repurposed for it. The trade-off is texture and price: a rich butter takes longer to sink in than an oil and needs a moment to fully absorb before getting dressed, and it costs more than half again what Bio-Oil does for a comparable amount.
For very tight, itchy skin especially later in pregnancy, the extra richness genuinely helps more than a thin oil; for daytime use under clothes earlier on, a lighter oil is usually the more practical pick.
Is the Tummy Rub Butter worth it?
- Rich, occlusive texture genuinely soothes very tight or itchy skin
- Formulated specifically for pregnancy rather than repurposed
- Fragrance-free version available
What are the downsides of the Tummy Rub Butter?
- Costs noticeably more per ml than oil-based alternatives
- Takes longer to absorb — less practical under clothes during the day
Specs
- Size
- 120ml
- Format
- Body butter (thick balm)
- Fragrance
- Fragranced (also sold in a fragrance-free version)
- Key ingredients
- Shea butter, cocoa butter, omega oils
How we scored it
Absorption & Feel
How quickly it sinks in and whether it leaves a greasy residue on clothes.
Rich and soothing, but takes longer to sink in than an oil.
Ingredients & Safety
Pregnancy-safe formulation, fragrance-free options, and ingredient transparency.
Formulated specifically for pregnancy, with a fragrance-free option available.
Value for Money
Cost per use if applied daily across a pregnancy, not just the shelf price.
One of the pricier options per ml in this category.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £24.00 (120ml) | £54.00 (175ml) | £9.99 (60ml) | £20.95 (100ml) |
| Overall score | 6.8/10 | 6.2/10 | 8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Size | 120ml | 175ml | 60ml (also sold in 125ml, 200ml) | 100ml |
| Format | Body butter (thick balm) | Cream | Oil | Oil |
| Fragrance | Fragranced (also sold in a fragrance-free version) | Fragrance-free | Lightly fragranced | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Butter good for itchy pregnant skin?+
Yes — its rich, occlusive texture genuinely soothes very tight or itchy skin, which shows up most in the second and third trimester as the bump stretches quickly.
Is Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Butter fragrance-free?+
The standard formula is fragranced, but a fragrance-free version is also sold.
How does Mama Mio compare to Bio-Oil for daytime use?+
It's noticeably thicker and more occlusive than an oil like Bio-Oil, so it takes longer to sink in and needs a moment to fully absorb before getting dressed — a lighter oil is usually more practical for daytime use under clothes.