Let’s take a look at the best pregnancy stretch mark creams on the market!
Oh, the fun things that come along with pregnancy. Yes, of course, you get this adorable baby which you will love with your whole being, but there are a few side effects that come with bringing a little bundle of joy into the world. A common side effect of pregnancy is stretch marks.
Stretch marks are a part of life, caused by rapid weight gain, and while stretch marks won’t disappear completely, they do fade over time. Using stretch mark cream to keep your skin hydrated will reduce the appearance of current stretch marks and has the potential to prevent new stretch marks from occurring.
Everything You Need to Know About Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
Stretch marks are discolored lines or marks that appear anywhere your skin has stretched rapidly. These marks can be pink, red, or purple and tend to fade to silver or light purple over time. Both men and women can get stretch marks and they happen any time a significant weight gain occurs, from pregnancy, building muscle, or gaining weight. Most people have them!
The appearance of stretch marks are actually scars from the skin stretching and tearing. The most common locations for stretch marks during pregnancy are the thighs, stomach, butt, hips, and breasts.
How to avoid stretch marks
The only way to avoid stretch marks is to keep your skin hydrated with the use of lotion, but even with daily hydrating, you may still get stretch marks. Moisturizing and staying hydrated helps to keep the skin supple and healthy, but still most pregnant women experience stretch marks at some point during their pregnancy.
How to treat stretch marks
The best treatment for stretch marks is to stay hydrated and use a stretch mark-specific lotion. These products have ingredients chosen to help reduce the appearance and heal the skin, by building collagen to help thicken the skin and keeping the area hydrated.
Stretch marks will fade over time and by using some of the best stretch mark creams you can reduce their visibility and help heal your skin more quickly.
The Best Stretch Mark Creams for Pregnancy
The current market is full of creams targeting stretch marks, especially those associated with pregnancy. The following best creams are organized into categories to make it easier for you to find the product that suits your needs and fits your budget.
| Best Natural Stretch Mark Cream | Mama’s Choice Stretch Mark Cream |
| Best Drugstore Stretch Mark Cream for Pregnancy | Bio-Oil |
| Best High End Stretch Mark Cream | Lauren’s All Purpose Salve |
Natural Stretch Mark Cream Options
Stretch mark creams that have more natural and organic ingredients often use cocoa butter, shea butter, and essential oils to hydrate and heal. Choosing a natural stretch mark cream is an option for those looking for all-natural products in their daily life for both mother and baby.
Mama’s Choice Stretch Mark Cream
First up, you have got to check out Mama’s Choice Stretch Mark Cream. Not only does it deeply moisturize your skin and relieve itchiness, but it works wonders in preventing stretch marks.
It’s a great option for mamas with sensitive skin as it is hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and clinically proven to be safe for pregnancy. We love that Mama’s Choice has zero-tolerance for toxins so you can count on their products being free of alcohol, parabens, and phthalates.
As for the things it does have, Mama’s Choice Stretch Mark Cream is made of the best natural ingredients including aloe vera, shea butter, and jojoba oil. It also has Lipobelle Soyaglycone, and if you’re like me you might be wondering what exactly this is. Well, it’s a breakthrough ingredient that will enhance your collagen production and improve skin elasticity. All of these things will provide your skin with some needed moisture to keep stretch marks at bay.
Huge perk; it doesn’t feel oily or greasy like many other stretch mark creams do!
Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
I have been obsessed with the Burt’s Bee’s line for years. Their products are incredible for the skin. This cream comes in a jar and includes jojoba butter, shea and cocoa butter. In addition, vitamin E to provide a nourishing, rich, and moisturizing product. There is no smell, so your pregnancy super scents won’t make you feel nauseous.
Stretch Marks and Scars Cream by Body Merry
Stretch Marks and Scars by Body Merry is a well-known and award-winning pregnancy stretch mark cream. This formula uses plant oils and natural cocoa butter to help firm the skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
It also hydrates the area and has built-in protection to smooth the skin. This will help you maintain a natural and healthy glow. The jar may be small but this cream goes a long way with its rich natural ingredients that were chosen to tighten the skin and lighten the appearance of blemishes.
Best Pregnancy Stretch Mark Cream from Drugstores
There are also great drugstore or grocery store options for pregnant women. This makes it easy for you to pick up a stretch mark cream when you’re out and about. Many of these products use natural ingredients along with conventional beauty product ingredients to offer a useful cream at an affordable price.
Bio-Oil
Bio-Oil is one of the more well-known stretch mark creams and it is dermatologist-recommended. This one isn’t exactly a cream. Instead, it’s a hydrating and non-greasy oil known for its healing properties. So, if you don’t like piling on a large slab of cream, then this is a great option for you.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion and Tummy Butter
Palmer’s is well-known stretch mark cream that has been on the market for decades. In fact, this is what I used with my first pregnancy. I piled what felt like tubs of this cocoa butter on my belly. Their product line includes a stretch mark massage lotion as well as tummy butter.
This duo is great for head-to-toe hydrating and uses essential oils and natural ingredients.
Gold Bond Strength and Resilience
This body lotion is a good option because of its use of proteins and lipids to hydrate and retain moisture in dry or stretched skin. This product is marketed for anti-aging but it’s a great drug store option for reducing stretch marks. It also keeps your skin hydrated and glowing.
Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion
While not my favorite brand, this lotion has an affordable price point and is a great everyday lotion as well as stretch mark cream. If you are on a tight budget, this is a great option. The natural ingredients include cocoa butter and shea butter which are amazing for hydration. While the Vaseline component locks in moisture and gives your skin a glow.
High-End Stretch Mark Cream Options
If you’re looking to invest a bit more into your stretch mark cream. There are several higher-end options that provide the healing and hydration you need. These would be good choices for those with deeper or larger stretch marks. In addition, older stretch marks, or for a special weekly pampering session.
Lauren’s All Purpose Salve
Lauren’s All Purpose Salve is an amazing blend of cream and oil to create a rich salve that can hydrate just about anything. This jar is a bit pricey. However, it would be a great option for mom and baby as it can be used on stretch marks, skin ailments, and is an amazing hydrator.
Mustela Skincare Set
Another great product on the market is Mustela. They have a great skincare duo for bellies and pregnancy-related stretch marks. This set has a stretch mark cream and nursing comfort balm to heal and protect your skin throughout your pregnancy and postpartum journey. Both products feature natural ingredients and the specific formulas target all the areas pregnant women worry about.
No matter where you are in your pregnancy or even those post-birth, remember that stretch marks are natural and almost unavoidable. Using a hydrating lotion and stretch mark cream consistently will dramatically help keep your skin hydrated and reduce the appearance, and stretch marks will fade over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stretch mark cream is best for pregnancy?
Mama’s Choice Stretch Mark Cream is one of my favorites. Not only does it deeply moisturize your skin and relieve itchiness, but it works wonders in preventing stretch marks. Some other great options are Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter, Bio-Oil, and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion.
Do pregnancy stretch mark creams work?
Keeping your skin hydrated with the use of lotion will help you to avoid stretch marks. However, even with daily hydrating, you may still get stretch marks. Moisturizing and staying hydrated helps to keep the skin supple and healthy, but still most pregnant women experience stretch marks at some point during their pregnancy.
Is Bio-Oil good for pregnant belly?
Yes! Bio-Oil is one of the more well-known stretch mark creams and it is dermatologist-recommended. This one isn’t exactly a cream. Instead, it’s a hydrating and non-greasy oil known for its healing properties. So, if you don’t like piling on a large slab of cream, then this is a great option for you.
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