Stretch marks can be defined as indented or colored lines on your skin. They commonly appear during pregnancy due to the stretching and expansion of the skin as well as caused by weight loss and gain. Although stretch marks are completely natural and extremely common, the best way to prevent them is by using the best stretch mark cream.
Whether you're looking to prevent stretch marks, got stretch marks from pregnancy, or developed them over the years, we're here to educate you on the best stretch mark creams in the market today. Furthermore, we'll introduce you to a number of factors you need to consider before buying any stretch mark cream.
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Best Stretch Mark Creams
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Best Stretch Mark Creams - Reviews
Moms all over the world swear by this Bio-Oil Skincare Oil used as a daily moisturizer. It is a blend of vitamins and plant extracts and contains the PurCellin Oil that is responsible for the great consistency of the formula, which is light, absorbable, and non-greasy. Moreover, its unique formula is proven to be safe for use for pregnant women and those who are postpartum.
The key ingredients include vitamin A that improves the skin tone and texture; vitamin E to makes the skin look healthier; PurCellin Oil reduces the thickness of the formulation; and calendula oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil, and chamomile that nourishes the skin.
This stretch mark oil helps reduce the appearance of the stretch in different areas, including the thighs, hips, breasts, etc. It can also work on teenage growth spurts as well as existing stretch marks. Although the oil may not completely remove the stretch marks, it reduces their appearance.
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The Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Stretch Marks Lotion boasts a formula that improves skin elasticity and moisturization. Its key ingredients include argan oil, shea butter, collagen, cocoa butter, elastin, and almond oil.
Unlike most stretch mark creams, this one is super affordable, which means you can use it on the whole body. This moisturizer acts as a stretch mark prevention cream to minimize or prevent the formation of stretch marks. Its key ingredients include Vitamin E, argan oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, lutein, almond oil, and coconut oil.
It works to improve the skin's moisture levels, suppleness, and skin's elasticity so as to accommodate stretching. For best results, you need to use it three times daily. It has been proven to be a safe product that is generally free from side effects.
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While looking for a stretch mark cream, you want to get something that is not only effective and safe but also has additional benefits like moisturizing, ease of application, and pleasant smell. The Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter with Shea Butter and Vitamin E is one option that does all that and is designed especially for pregnant people and those on postpartum to help nourish your belly before and after the pregnancy.
This cream comes in handy to smoothen and soften skin will naturally hydrating ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, sweet almond oil, sunflower, soybean, and jojoba oil. Moreover, it helps the skin recover after pregnancy by providing great relief and comfort to the stretched skin.
The lotion is fragrance-free, which means it won't be a bother to sensitive people, and its formula is non-irritating since it is made from harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, SLS, or petrolatum. With so many great reviews, if you're looking for your first stretch mark cream to try, then this lotion is a good place to start.
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Thanks to its active ingredient dimethicone (silicone) and hyaluronic acid, the Mederma Stretch Mark Cream is designed to eliminate stretch marks. Both of these ingredients are proven to help reduce or improve the appearance of stretch marks.
It helps in preventing and treating stretch marks and has been proven to be safe for use during pregnancy after the start of the second trimester. The Mederma stretch marks therapy is paraben-free and has a nourishing cream formula that combines a blend of ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, Centella Asiatica plant extract, and Cephalin.
If you notice new streaks, you need to give this stretch mark a try because when stretch marks are new, they are more responsive to topical treatments. Furthermore, you can continue using this product even during breastfeeding.
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The Earth Mama Belly Butter is an organic stretch mark cream and body butter that has a great blend of essential oils and organic herbs. It is an ideal choice for expectant people to use on the belly, breasts, and hips, as well as safe and effective for use even post-pregnancy.
This stretch mark cream is not only used for preventing stretch marks but also comes in handy to soothe itching, which is a common side effect of stretch marks. Although it doesn't have any synthetic fragrance, it has a slightly sweet citrus scent.
It can help reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks and restore the skin's elasticity with its shea butter, organic herbs, and oils. Additionally, this body butter is paraben-free and will not interfere with your body's hormones.
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Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Stretch Mark Cream
1. Ingredients
When choosing the best stretch mark cream, you need to first look at the ingredients, especially for pregnancy-induced stretch marks. This is because the ingredients are responsible for improving skin elasticity, hydrate skin, boost collagen production, and reduce inflammation.
All the above functions are necessary to help your skin fight against most stretch marks. There are certain ingredients that have been proven to help reduce stretch marks which include;
- Vitamin E- Repairs and replenishes collagen
- Coconut oil- It helps boost the skin's healing capacity
- Olive oil and Sweet almond oil- Promote skin elasticity and hydration of the skin
- Hyaluronic acid- Stimulated collagen production
- Centella Asiatica Extract- Promotes cell production and heal wounds to provide healthy skin.
Other great ingredients are avocado oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and omega fatty acids. However, there are some ingredients that may be harmful to the body, especially during pregnancy, for example, retinol, tretinoin, and mineral oil.
2. Skin Type
Stretch marks pop up when the skin stretches quickly, for example, during pregnancy or after a rapid weight gain or loss. They have rested scars under the skin, which makes healing stretch marks difficult. Even though they tend to improve over time, you will want to consider the skin type when finding a good stretch mark cream.
For example, if you're someone with sensitive skin, you will want to ensure that you stay away from stretch mark creams that have artificial ingredients and fragrances. Instead, you want to stick to hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products to prevent allergic reactions and itchy skin, leaving the skin healthy.
On the other hand, if you've oily skin, you may benefit more from a lotion, while people with dry skin may enjoy a cream or balm.
3. Skin Hydration
The best stretch mark creams should be able to keep your skin hydrated before and after pregnancy. This is because hydrated skin is the first treatment to minimize the appearance of stretch marks on your skin and treat skin scarring.
If the stretch mark cream cannot act as a body moisturizer, it will probably not provide relief from stretch marks. Cepalin is one of the active ingredients that help in hydration and ensures the skin barrier remains smooth and healthy.
4. Formulation
For best results, the best stretch mark creams should have the best and quality formula since you will probably be using it on your skin daily. This is to ensure your skin remains protected and prevents itchy skin or other unwanted situations.
The best one should be a smooth cream, not thick or non-greasy. It needs to apply thin and lightweight on your skin to ensure you remain comfortable, improve skin elasticity and keep your skin moisturized. You can try the cream or read the reviews to see if it will work for you.
5. Cost
The cost of the stretch mark creams to consider since they are used more than once daily, and you will also have to put into consideration how frequently you will need to buy them. To ensure that you're getting the value for your money, you want to determine the cost of the cream per ounce.
Apart from the cost of the cream, you want to consider the shipping costs. However, it is important to note that while some stretch mark creams may be expensive, it doesn't automatically mean that they are of good quality and will help treat your stretch marks faster.
Different stretch mark screams come with different prices. Luckily, there are affordable stretch mark creams for every reasonable budget. You need to set a reasonable and find one within your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Stretch Mark Creams
1. Do stretch mark creams work?
Although there hasn't been any scientific evidence to prove that stretch mark creams work, the best stretch mark creams may help treat stretch marks. According to a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Hadley King, using stretch mark creams will help fade out the existing ones or reduce the appearance of stretch marks. In addition, some of them prevent stretch marks from occurring especially when you're pregnant.
Even though the stretch mark creams may take some time to work, they will work to smoothen and strengthen the skin as well as improve the texture and appearance of scars, stretch marks, and uneven skin tones. So, some of them are definitely worth a try.
2. When should you start using a stretch mark cream?
It is recommended to start using the best stretch mark cream before developing stretch marks to act as a preventative measure. So, if you’re planning to be pregnant soon or just got pregnant, it is important to get in the habit of using the best stretch mark creams daily to stop stretch marks from appearing.
However, if you already have stretch marks, the best stretch mark oil should help improve the appearance of the stretch marks and prevent the occurrence of new stretch marks. It is best to start using the stretch mark cream as soon as possible, especially if you don't plan to visit a dermatologist for an in-office treatment.
