Which stretch mark oil/ cream?

[tlat]

Hi,
I was just wondering which stretch mark cream or oil everyone is using, would recommend for or against?

It's my first pregnancy but I have quite a number of stretch marks from suddenly losing a lot of weight when ill many years ago, so decided to start early so as not to add even more marks!

Thanks

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for recommendations or advice on stretch mark treatment and prevention, our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options and has been compiled based on the advice of Mumsnetters and skincare experts. We hope it's helpful!

TBH I've used various things right the way through my pregnancy.... despite this I have a road-map! Boo! Anyway my advice would be not to expect anything to completely do away with the prospect of stretch marks (especially if you're prone to them) but there are lots of things you can use to stop them getting too red and itchy.

I like Neals Yard Mother's Massage Oil as it forces my DH to lavish some attention on my belly (which he's now obsessed with!). I've heard some people recommend bio oil but many can't stomach the smell in pregnancy...

I used Bio oil last time, and am using it again. I am stretch mark prone, and got none (bar one teeny one on bikini line), despite going 2 weeks overdue and putting on about 4st in total

From talking to others, I think it's as much about how you apply as what you apply - I took the time twice a day to properly massage the oil in (over tummy, down below bikini line and right round to hips and bottom), and was generous - I went through 3 bottles of bio oil in 9 months. Yes, it cost a bloody fortune, but I knew I wanted to do everything to not have a stretch mark tummy.

Of course, I may have just been lucky - some people I think get them no matter what, and some lucky bastards don't get them despite total belly neglect

I don't think it really makes any difference tbh, bit I use the clarins one cos it smells nice and it's nice to pamper my bump :)

I use bio oil and then use mama mio tummy rub butter on top (I got the tummy butter as a gift and figured why the hell not).

I'm not sure if I'm prone or not, but they both smell lovely and if I get them, at least I tried.

I used Dr Hauschka blackthorn oil, like the other posters it's difficult to tell if I was just lucky or if it was the oil that made the difference but it's worth a try!

I used cocobutter(i think that's what it was called) but I was allergic to it made me itch like crazy, I was sure it was the cream but went to the doc to make sure and she looked at me as if I were mad and said 'stretchmark creams don't work'

I think she was right as i'm covered in them from having dd My mum had them too

sorry, i'm sure that wasn't a very helpful post

I used Avent body indulgent cream (£6 from boots) for stretchmarks in my first pregnancy and didn't get any until I ran out, I got one teeny one on my right hip when I was nearly full term.

I'm using it again this time and so far only got a few wee marks on my left hip where I had stretchmarks when I was a teenager. Managed to avoid them on my bump so far - but I'm on my 5th tube!

Oh I forgot to add, I do have polyhydramnios (so about two litres more fluid in there than I should have) and a big baby (8lb at 38 weeks and he's not here yet!)xx

I really don't like bio-oil. Probably because I used it during my first 16 weeks when I was sick as a dog and now the smell reminds me off how crap I felt. But mainly because you feel like a basted chicken until it eventually dries/sinks in.

i love the 'mum to be' cream from Sanctuary. It smells proper lush.

I expected to get heaps of stretch marks since I got loads when I was 14 and lost and gained loads of weight in a short space of time but, so far, I've only got two tiny ones each about an inch long. I've still got 5 weeks to go though so hopefully I've not spoke too soon!

use anything as as far as i am aware none of them work!!
so chose something you love

Snake oil :).
I have loads of stretchmarks from adolescence, none from 4 pregnancies. Didn't use a thing for them, either.

I also didn't like the smell of the bio-oil. I used a Clarins one, and I don't have a single stretch mark two pregnancies later!

Mamma mio too: feels nice, smells nice, had giant baby at 38, no stretch marks. Maybe just luck of draw, but felt quite lovely to use, and maybe it works...??!

I started moisturing my belly aged 13 to ensure no stretch marks (I like to think ahead).

Got pregnant ten years later and my belly looked like a small relief map of the London Underground. So I am afriad that I suspect it to be wholly down to genetics and not overpriced creams/oils aimed at first time mums.

I always moisturise all over after showers/baths anyway but when pregnant used Palmers cocoa butter for normal mosturising and a good coating of Bio oil before bed. I didn't get any stretch marks but only put on 17&11 lbs with my 2 pregnancies so that might have helped.

god CHYNAH 17&11 pounds, i hope i only put that on this time 11 pounds would be great lol. im having my 2nd baby and the 1st time i used bio oil everynow and again, i didnt get any on my bellyjust a few on my hips, but i did put 4 stone on and was only a size 4-6 before hand, so guessed it was going to happen, but not bad at all really, my partners mum has had 4 kids and said to me dont use anything i never did if your going to get them you will get them, she swears by not using anything lol. but this time im usung that palmers cocoa butter formula, and a bio oil like thing aswell, it doesnt hurt to try does it :)

I'm just using plain baby oil, but a lot of it.

Haven't got any stretch marks yet at 36+3. There's still time though!

I dont think anything really works but makes skin feel nice!!

I have mostly used sanctuary mum to be body butter and am 37+3 and only have the stretch marks on thighs I had before pregnancy.

I have also used some sample tubes of palmers body butter - took to aquanatal and used after.

also pregnacare stretch mark cream

and sanctaury stretch mark oil

I dont like the oils and prefer the creams.

stretchmarks are in the collagen underneath the outer layer of skin - NOTHING that you apply to the outer layer of your skin can prevent them - its medically impossible.
I haven't used any cream/oil and don't have any stretchmarks. You will either get them or you won't - there is nothing you can do about it! If you used lots of expensive oil and didn't get them, its nothing to do with the expensive oil.