A mum-of-three has revealed how she developed the ‘world’s first’ pregnancy belly mask after seeing her pregnant sister suffer with irritated skin.
Ruth Carr from Melbourne, Australia, launched Bump Body on February 25, 2021, to help prevent itching, dryness, scarring and stretch marks during pregnancy.
Ms Carr, 40, had spent months trying to find a solution to help her pregnant sister whose stretching belly was leaving her with skin irritation but realised ‘no product existed’ at the time.
‘It was at this point that I truly realised what my vision had become – to create a natural safe product that gives all mothers some needed pamper time, allowing them to bond with their bump,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Carr reached out to her entrepreneurial friends, Alex Tran and Karl Devic, both 25, who through their business experience helped bring her idea and a lucrative business to life.
Ruth Carr launched pregnancy belly mask Bump Body on February 25 after watching her sister suffer with irritated skin
Ms Carr (pictured centre) reached out to her close entrepreneurial friends, Alex Tran (left) and Karl Devic (right), who through their business experience helped bring her idea to life
Bum Body has turned over $250,000 in only four months and has gained an online Instagram following of more than 34,000 people
Bump Body turned over $250,000 in just four months and gained an online Instagram following of more than 34,000 people.
‘It was my sister’s pregnancy that sparked the idea as she wasn’t coping physically and mentally,’ Ms Carr said.
‘I wanted to pamper her with something whilst also attending to her unbearably itchy, irritated and stretching bump – something I myself struggled with too during my three pregnancies.’
Baby Bump was born after the three co-founders invested $60,000 of their own money to get the brand up and running.
Through months of research and conversations with a manufacturer in Melbourne, the trio formulated a product that’s 100 per cent natural, stress-free and safe for both mum and baby.
Ms Carr also has experience working for a global skincare brand while her partners have six years of business and marketing experience.
Ms Carr sent months researching and speaking to a manufacturer in Melbourne before formulating a product that’s 100 per cent natural, stress-free and safe for both mum and baby
The $64.95 Australian Belly Mask is rich with essential vitamins and anti-inflammatory properties to help heal, soothe and nourish the skin
The product is perfect for preventing stretch marks by keeping the skin of the belly hydrated and nourished
The $64.95 Australian Belly Mask is rich with essential vitamins and anti-inflammatory properties to help heal, soothe and nourish the skin.
The core ingredients include apricot kernel oil to increase the skin’s elasticity, moisturisation and hydration, aloe vera and avocado oil to help repair damaged cells.
‘Initially we wanted to create a sheet belly mask but we discovered that it was difficult to locally source this product and the ingredients required,’ Ms Carr said.
‘We ruled that one out and looked at the idea of a mask that was similar to the popular face masks that are currently on the market, except to be used on the bump.’
The whole product formulation process took almost a year to complete, with many delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mask help prevent itching, dryness, scarring and stretch marks during pregnancy
Ms Carr said the belly mask offers ‘more than just skin benefits’.
‘We want to be able to share this product with expecting mums who are at home now, especially during lockdown here in Melbourne, who could be suffering mentally, feeling isolated and unable to see their family/friends to share their journey with,’ she said.
‘I myself suffered postnatal depression and know how isolating and exhausting motherhood can be; I know the importance of self-care and how vital it is to immerse yourself within a loving like-minded community for support.
‘During my suffering, I reached out to the incredible team at PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety And Depression Australia), who guided and supported me.’
Ms Carr has chosen to donate a percentage of the brand’s proceeds to PANDA every year, so they can continue to support thousands of mothers in need.
Ms Carr has experience working for a global skincare brand while her partners have six years of business and marketing experience
Bump Body is will also be participating in One Fine Baby Expo in Melbourne on December 3
Ms Carr said operating a small business has proven to be challenging at times, particularly with Melbourne’s lockdowns this year.
‘Running a business is always difficult,’ she said, adding: ‘But it is all worth it knowing that what we’re doing is truly the lives of expectant mothers.’
Bump Body is will also be participating in One Fine Baby Expo in Melbourne on December 3.
The Australian Belly Mask can be purchased online through the Bump Body website.
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