Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but let’s be honest, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. For some of us, it comes with a few not-so-glamorous challenges. One of the worst experiences I faced during my pregnancies was PUPPs (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy), also known as PEP (polymorphic eruption of pregnancy). If you’ve ever dealt with it, you know exactly how unbearable that itchy, red rash can be—especially when you’re already dealing with the discomforts of the third trimester. After trying almost everything during my first two pregnancies, I finally found relief for PUPPs rash in my third. Let me share my journey and how I discovered a natural remedy for PUPPs that helped me find peace in those final weeks.

What is PUPPs Rash?

PUPPs rash — also sometimes written as PUPPP or PUPPPs — stands for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. It’s a common but frustrating skin condition that typically appears during the third trimester. It usually starts as small, itchy red bumps on the belly and can spread to the thighs, buttocks, arms, and even breasts. While PUPPs doesn’t pose a risk to the baby, it can cause extreme discomfort for the mother. Experts believe it may be related to the rapid stretching of the skin and immune system changes during pregnancy (source).

While it’s often called a “pregnancy rash,” it’s important to know that PUPPs can sometimes appear postpartum—within the first few weeks or even months after giving birth. Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive cure for PUPPs. Many women are simply told to manage the symptoms and wait for the rash to eventually resolve on its own.

In my personal experience, and from hearing the journeys of other moms, I’ve seen how devastating and exhausting this rash can be. Over time, my midwife began sending new moms experiencing PUPPs—both during pregnancy and postpartum—to try Grounded Tallow Balm. I’ve been so grateful and humbled to hear from many of them that their rash improved significantly, often within about seven days of consistent use. I pray for every mom and every family who might use the balm, knowing firsthand how deeply miserable PUPPs can feel, and I truly hope every mom can find the relief and peace they deserve.

My Experience with PUPPs Rash Across Three Pregnancies

I’ll never forget my first pregnancy and the shock of dealing with PUPPs. It started as a small, itchy patch on my belly and quickly spread. Soon, it felt like my entire abdomen was on fire with an itchy rash that just wouldn’t quit. The worst part? I couldn’t stop scratching, even though I knew it was making things worse. I was so desperate for relief that I tried sleeping in gloves just to keep from scratching myself raw in my sleep. The itching was intense and kept me from focusing on anything else. There were many nights with many tears from me crying to my husband about my frustration.

Natural Options I Explored for PUPPs Rash

During that pregnancy, I tried everything I could think of—loose cotton clothes, avoiding any harsh chemicals in my lotions and detergents, and slathering on every oil and lotion under the sun. I went through coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, and even straight-up vitamin E oil, but nothing seemed to truly soothe my itchy pregnant belly. Pine tar soap helped a little, drying out the rash and calming the itch for short periods, but nothing really worked until after my baby was born.

By my second pregnancy, I thought I knew what to expect and had my arsenal of oils and pine tar soap ready. Unfortunately, the rash came back with a vengeance. While the remedies I’d used before offered some minor relief, the rash still persisted. I was up at night again, desperately searching for something—anything—that could ease the relentless itch.

What Finally Helped Me Find Relief

By the time I was pregnant with my third baby, I was determined to find a better solution. Having dealt with PUPPs twice already, I knew I couldn’t just wait it out again. I started researching natural remedies and studies on the benefits of different resins, herbs, and oils that might help. My goal was simple: to create something that could finally give me relief from this maddening rash.

This led me to develop Grounded Tallow Balm—a blend of pure, simple ingredients that I carefully selected for their ability to nourish and calm irritated skin. This balm includes Grass-Fed/Finished Beef Tallow, Organic Emu Oil, Magnesium Chloride, Pine Gum Rosin, Organic Pine Needles, Organic Frankincense Resin, Red Sandalwood Powder, Palo Santo Powder, and Organic Rosemary Leaves. These ingredients work together to soothe inflamed skin, reduce redness, and lock in moisture—exactly what I needed to combat PUPPs.

A Note on Our Process

Every batch of Grounded Tallow Balm is made with intention and great care. While the ingredients themselves are pure and simple, creating the balm is not as simple as mixing things together. We slow-infuse resins and botanicals over time to preserve their properties and allow for maximum skin benefit. This careful, small-batch method is one of the reasons Grounded feels so different from anything else available.

Grounded also contains suspended magnesium chloride, a mineral known for its ability to help support skin recovery, calm inflammation, and soothe irritation. While the combination of nutrient-rich tallow and emu oil helps balance the balm and reduce sensitivity, magnesium is an active mineral and can sometimes cause a slight tingling sensation, especially if applied to very open or wounded skin.

For this reason, we recommend starting with a small patch test on clean skin, especially if you have active rashes, open sores, or highly sensitive areas. If you experience discomfort, you may want to start with a gentler balm like our Rosebud Tallow Balm or Wildwood Tallow Balm instead. These are deeply soothing and supportive for sensitive or healing skin, while Grounded offers a more potent approach for stubborn rashes like PUPPs.

How Grounded Tallow Balm Helped Me Find Relief for PUPPs Rash

During my third pregnancy, I started applying Grounded Tallow Balm before any signs of PUPPs even appeared. To my relief, I made it through most of the pregnancy without a single itchy spot. Thinking I was in the clear, I stopped using the balm around 38 weeks. But at 41 weeks, just as I was anxiously awaiting my baby’s arrival, that dreaded itch returned.

It started with a small, red patch on the lower part of my belly. My heart sank as I realized PUPPs had found me once again. Luckily, I still had some Grounded Tallow Balm left and started applying it generously. The itching relief came within a day and the rash was completely gone within a few more. I was so grateful to have found something that finally worked, especially so that I could focus on my soon-to-be arriving baby instead of scratching.

After sharing my experience with my midwife, she began sending other moms experiencing PUPPs—even postpartum cases where the rash spread beyond the belly—to try Grounded Balm. Many of them shared that within about seven days of consistent use, their rashes had improved significantly or cleared completely. I’m beyond grateful to be able to offer something that may help bring relief to moms during such an exhausting time.

Why Grounded Tallow Balm Might Work for You

The secret behind Grounded Tallow Balm is in its pure, carefully chosen ingredients:

• Grass-Fed/Finished Beef Tallow: Packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, making it incredibly nourishing and perfect for restoring moisture to dry, irritated skin.
• Organic Emu Oil: Known for its ability to penetrate deeply into the skin, helping to reduce irritation and provide lasting hydration.
• Magnesium Chloride: Supports calming irritated skin and may help reduce inflammation.
• Pine Gum Rosin & Organic Pine Needles: Traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Organic Frankincense Resin: Believed to promote healing and regeneration of damaged skin.
• Red Sandalwood Powder & Palo Santo Powder: Soothing botanicals that help calm and comfort.
• Organic Rosemary Leaves: Rich in antioxidants, traditionally used to support skin health.

You can view all of our ingredient sourcing and research here.

How Grounded Led to Our Simple Things

When I first created Grounded, I never intended to start a business. I was just a mom trying to find relief for myself, using ingredients I trusted. But when Grounded began helping so many other moms—including those my midwife sent my way—I realized this little balm was answering a need bigger than just my own. My midwife encouraged me to make it available as a real product, knowing how important it was for moms to always have access to it. Grounded was the first, and it’s the foundation that inspired everything else we’ve built at Our Simple Things.

Tips for Managing PUPPs Naturally

If you’re dealing with an itchy pregnant belly and suspect it might be PUPPs, here are a few things that helped me manage the symptoms:

• Wear loose, breathable clothing: Avoid tight or hot clothing, as it can make the rash worse.
• Stay away from harsh chemicals and fragrances: Switch to natural, fragrance-free products for laundry and skincare.
• Try not to scratch: I know it’s tough, but scratching only makes it worse. Try very softly rubbing or applying a warm towel instead.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about Grounded Tallow Balm: If you’re looking for a natural way to manage PUPPs, ask your midwife or doctor if this balm might be a good fit for you.

Final Thoughts on Finding Natural Pregnancy Skincare

Dealing with PUPPs during pregnancy (or even postpartum) can feel overwhelming and exhausting—I’ve been there. But there’s hope. Through my own trial and error, I discovered a natural remedy that helped me find relief for PUPPs rash during pregnancy and postpartum, and has helped other moms too. Grounded Tallow Balm was born out of necessity, prayer, and the desire to help others find comfort.

If you’re struggling with an itchy pregnant belly or battling PUPPs after birth, consider discussing Grounded Tallow Balm with your healthcare provider. As always, make sure to consult with your provider before trying any new products during pregnancy.

I’d love to hear from you—what natural remedies have worked for you during pregnancy? Your experience could make a world of difference for another mom in need!