very tight skin- are bio oils etc worth it?

[feekerry]

I'm 18 weeks and bump is fast growing. By the end of the day my skin is so tight its uncomfortable. To the point where if I take a deep breath or cough I literally think i'm going to pop. Do oils or butters make a difference and help my skin stretch? Not really bothered about stretch marks just want my skin to stretch a bit easier and not feel its about to rip!

I'm using Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Cream for stretch marks. Expensive but it's working for me. I have terrible stretch marks on my thighs due to hurried weight gain in my latter teenage years. Not only has the cream 'stopped' me from getting stretch marks so far on my tummy (29 weeks tomorrow!) but they've helped my old ones fade quite a bit. It's not greasy and rubs in like ordinary body lotion. My skin stays soft all of the time. When I do get an itch, I rubb a little on and it goes away. :)

I was using bio-oil but found it messy and greasy and stopped using it at 18 weeks. I've got loads left so leave it for bath time and I put a few drops in it.

Another vote for bio-oil here... I've been using it for years (not for stretch marks but for bumpy skin on my upper arms). I've never paid full price for it, I always buy the big bottles on ebay - usually get it for between £8-£11 and it lasts ages. Am 20 + 6 on first pregnancy and using it on boobs, tummy, lower back and thights... don't know yet if it'll ultimately help prevent stretch marks but here's hoping :)

I used bio oil with my first pg and got very few stretch marks. This time I've decided to give it a miss as I really can't stand the smell. I've just been using a normal body oil which does soothe the tight skin feeling but at 32 weeks I'm starting to notice a few stretch marks appearing. I've just been online and ordered some rather pricey stretch mark cream - fingers crossed it'll work!

I used bio oil and palmers cocoa butter during all three of my pregnancies. They definitely helped with the tightness and dryness of my stomach skin, but unfortunately, it still resembles an underground route map.

just to say that you can get the 200ml bottles of biooil on amazon for £10 - 19.99 in the shops. I've been slathering it on for weeks :)

Bio-oil is also fab for fading existing stretchmarks - sadly Clarins body oil did not prevent mine (but then I had stretchmarks from puberty so knew I was unlikely to avoid it), but I used Bio-oil afterwards and it was great. Even improved the appearance of my 30-year old appendix scar!!

IME, stretch marks didn't appear until late in pg, around 35 weeks - thought I was blessed until that point!

I don't know. I've heard that whatever you put on your skin, if you're going to get stretch marks, you will get them regardless. I am all for moisturising to make the skin feel softer and more comfortable though. And I suppose you don't know until you try.

I used every type of oil and lotion on my whole torso when pg with DS. Everything from Mama Mio tummy rub to Bio Oil to a gorgeous Laura Mercier moisturiser to Vaseline body lotion.

I didn't get a single stretch mark until I was about 39 weeks. They've faded to silver now and don't bother me much tbh, but I don't think I could have prevenetd them. Who knows what I'll get this time round!

I use Palmers Cocoa Butter - costs about £3.60 and smells like chocolate. Had no stretch marks in last pregnancy (with a 10lb+ baby) and none so far this time (39 weeks). I think it has a lot to do with your skin type though.

To be honest, though, I found the best solution for the dreaded pregnancy bloat was to lie down on my left side for 10 minutes about 3 times a day, relax, and try to burp and fart as much of the gas out as possible. This helped to stop it building up to painful levels in the evening.

I used Bio-Oil. I don't think it made any difference to my stretch marks but it was lovely every night when DH rubbed it into my tummy and back.