Best creams for stretch marks

Some mums hate their stretch marks and some see them as their battle scars; only there because they’ve had children and therefore are a positive thing. Whatever the opinion, it’s a good idea to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks during your pregnancy and the best way to do this is with stretch marks creams.

According to information provided by the NHS, 75% -90% of pregnant women will develop stretch marks to some degree.

It is not the outer layer of skin that is affected by stretch marks, but the underneath. The reason for the marks appearing is due to a thinning in the dermis, the second layer of skin. During pregnancy, the skin is stretched quickly over a relatively short period of time, causing the fibres of the dermis to break up and reveal blood vessels normally hidden (hence the initial red colour) from view.

Many women do not experience stretch marks until their third trimester and then, sometimes not until the last few weeks when your belly really gets stretched. Of course if you are pregnant with twins or multiples your stretch marks may appear earlier and be more affected.

There are things you can do to help lessen the impact of stretch marks, but if you are predisposed to them, there is not much that you can do that will guarantee you don’t get them. Your mother's experience (and your sister’s experience) of stretch marks can offer you a good guide to how your own body may react.

The lighter your complexion, the more risk of these marks occurring there is. For women with black skin, the risks are much smaller. If you happen to have a very elastic type of skin, you will also be less at risk.

Using stretch mark creams can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks works by making the skin more soft and supple and able to stretch further. By putting cream or oil on your tummy once or twice a day, even before your bump starts to show can help your tummy to cope with the stretching it will have to do.

Here are gurgle’s top stretch mark creams, all good in different ways:

Best based on recommendations

Bio Oil - £14.99
Bio oil has long been a staple for pregnant mums hoping to avoid the dreaded stretch marks! Bio oil helps to improve the appearance of scars stretch marks and uneven skin.

Best non-greasy cream

Palmer’s massage cream for stretch marks - £4.99
This special non-greasy cream helps to prevent stretch marks as well as moisturising pregnant skin, helping your skin to feel more soft and supple.

Best smelling

Burt’s Bee Mama Bee belly butter
£13.70
Naturally nourishes your growing belly with extra-rich belly butter, specially formulated with cocoa butter and vitamin E to minimise the appearance of stretch marks on your tummy.

Best value

Smoothing out stretch mark cream from Mothercare
£4.99
With shea butter and jojoba oil which greatly help your skin gain more elasticity as well as making it smooth and soft.

Best for itchy bellies

Mama Mio Tummy Rub stretch mark oil
£19.50
The Mama Mio tummy rub contains a super-nourishing blend of oils including Omegas 3, 6, and 9, sweet almond oil, wheatgerm oil and rosehip oil. It also helps if you have an itchy belly.

Best for making your skin feel soft

Mum to be organics stretch mark oil
£6.99
With rosehip, organic vanilla and grapefruit. It smells delicious but importantly it helps your skin retain its elasticity and softness.

Best for second time around mums with stretch marks

Clarins stretch mark control
£30.34
This is a two in one cream, made with plant extracts and not only helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but also helps with existing stretch marks, so great news for second time around mums!

Best organic stretch mark cream

Neal’s Yard Mother’s balm
£17.30
This moisturising blend of essential fatty acids helps to maintain your skin’s elasticity and because it is fragrance free it can be helpful if you have morning sickness and aren’t coping too well with different smells!
It also contains Coconut oil, Apricot kernel oil, Beeswax, Almond oil and Macadamia seed oil

Last Modified: 03/09/2009

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