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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Whats a good stretch mark cream?

22 replies

vix1980 · 15/05/2012 11:01

I know there was a thread on here months ago and someone mentioned a cream they had used it was around £50, and i remember thinking oh i must try that if i get them.

well theyve appeared and are massive, ive used bio oil constantly from day 1 but still they appear im now 35 weeks and i think theyll get worse.

obviously i knew i was going to get them, its still a shock when they appear though, so if anyone can tell me a good cream to lessen the redness as bio oil just isnt working for me, them id love to hear thank you


MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you’ve come across it while searching for advice or information on stretch marks our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability and new releases. It includes a wide range of options from oils to butters, cream and balms designed for stretch mark prevention, relief and treatment. It’s been compiled using the advice of skincare experts as well as Mumsnet user recommendations. We hope it’s helpful! Flowers

OP posts:
Flisspaps · 15/05/2012 11:04

The only thing that will fade them, genuinely, is time.

Catsycat · 15/05/2012 11:05

I've been using the Green Baby one. It is very moisturising and soothing, good quality, and sorted out my skin when it was basically peeling off in chunks and nothing else would work a few months ago. I've never had stretch marks on my tummy, though, so I don't know if it would help prevent / lessen them - I tend more towards horrible itching, peeling and spottiness on my belly when pg it appears!

vix1980 · 15/05/2012 11:13

flisspaps thats what i was afraid of, im too impatient to wait!

They are only on my belly though, i dont know why im worrying so much its not like ill be giving birth then slipping into a crop top Smile

just i think i panicked cos theyre new to me, i hate them already but its only me who can see them, i would like them faded a lot though as theyre quite still red raw, the only thing ive found now that sooths them is getting in the bath, as soon as im dry again though they start hurting, it feels like my skin is literally going to burst open so from that point of view i would try anything. already tried e45, bio oil, sanctuary pregnancy stuff, baby oil, sudocreme, nothing so far has eased the soreness.

OP posts:
Catsycat · 15/05/2012 11:28

Forgot to say vix, I do have stretch marks from weight gain on my upper arms, and these are now very pale and I don't find them ugly at all - no idea why I got them there, but not on my belly.

They will fade, like fliss says, but I hope you find something to ease the discomfort in the meantime.

littlemissnormal · 15/05/2012 12:30

The dryness is awful isn't it. Have you tried a massage oil like sweet almond which you can get really cheap in holland and Barrett? I find it doesn't dry as quickly as bio oil so eases it for a bit longer. You can add lavender oil to it which makes it smell lovely and my midwife recommended for relaxing purposes at night.

batteryhen · 15/05/2012 12:35

I use bio oil, but was advised by a beauty therapist to use the bio oil, then put coco butter on the top to seal the oil. I haven't tried it yet,but might give it a go!

SwissArmyWife · 15/05/2012 12:37

Palmers tummy butter is incredible - made my stretch marks fade a lot and is good to use on boobs aswell. About £5 a tub and lasts ages. Failing that, cocoa butter all the way!

lastexitbrooklyn · 15/05/2012 13:14

bio oil all the way!

JuliaScurr · 15/05/2012 13:16

Palmers stretch mark serum

ItsMyLastOne · 15/05/2012 13:21

I got loads of stretchmarks during puberty - on my boobs, hips, outer thighs, inner thighs, top of my calves, bum, I think that's it - but they've all but disappeared as they're so light now. During pregnancy I only got one little stretchmark on my bum despite using bio oil only a handful of times.

My twin sister got loads during pregnancy but they're not so noticeable now, although I doubt she'll be wanting to wear a bikini soon.

Chunkychicken · 15/05/2012 14:25

I didn't get any on my tummy (& was sort of expecting to, as my DM & Dsis have horrendous ones, all crepe-paper & wrinkles, like an old balloon) but don't think it was anything to do with the creams I tried, but will share my 'routine';

After shower on damp skin, liberally applied AVENT stretch mark cream (until it ran out, then the palmers cocoa butter one).
Every night slapped on boots stretch mark massage oil.

Now 13wks pg with DC#2 & have stretched more, earlier & don't have the time/energy to do anything, but figure I'll do more when the itchiness starts.

Oh and, I did get a couple of stretch marks on my boobs which were quite angry & red, but can't even see them now & DD is only just recently 2yo so it won't take that long for them to fade. Bio oil might help after the fact iyswim...

Dropdeadfred · 15/05/2012 14:26

Decleor prolagene gel

PostBellumBugsy · 15/05/2012 14:35

Please don't spend £50 on a cream. It is unlikely to make any difference.

Stretch marks occur where the dermis has torn - a cream is not going to heal that.

There is some evidence from clinical trials that topical application of Vit E may help - but there is very little evidence (other than anectodal) that any other cream will be of benefit.

Eating a diet rich in protein and anti-oxidents to help your own body produce plenty of collagen & elastin is as likely to help as anything topical.

vix1980 · 15/05/2012 15:24

Hi, well ive not tried the cocoa butter so that may be my next move, thanks!

i used to use the vaseline cocoa oil/gel thing but found it really greasy, maybe thats what i need though now something that doesnt sink in straight away and soothes a bit more.

dp told me last night i need to sort out the spare room to keep all my "chemicals" in it and contained altogether instead of spread out all over the house, everytime we go shopping i keep sneaking in new stuff to try Smile

OP posts:
shouldIbecrossaboutthis · 15/05/2012 19:51

If I were you I would buy this.

I'm 21 weeks and use this in the day and this at night after a shower. They are both lovely and have lasted about 6 weeks so far with 1/2 left in each.

Littlerayofsunshine · 15/05/2012 20:01

OP i know how you feel. i've tried sudocrem, norwegian formula oil, cocoa butter, johnsons oil, everything. not prevented them but does ease the "stretchy feeling" - baby is laying very low and frontal

With DD 18m a go I had very minimal ones on the upper of my belly button. but they faded well. I am now due with DC2 on Monday and since 2/3weeks ago I have errupted with them, well its like a strip around my belly button. my friends say its not as bad as i think but i can see the change. and i thought they were bad with DD - little did i know how they can really appear...

I'm SO scared that i'm going to get the wrinkly/"crepe paper" look. I dont have them anywhere else and i'm very slim usually.

moisturised religiously, but its the last few weeks thats done them. i was ill 2 weeks ago with a sickness & diarrhoea bug where my tummy literally swelled and was rock hard and its since then that they've appeared.

I know they are a small price to pay but they dont look nice :(

vix1980 · 16/05/2012 08:20

Oooh thanks for that shouldI ive heard really good things about the mama mio range so i may well try the first 1 you mentioned.

Im also all out front and really low, everyone keeps telling me its going to be a boy because of the way im carrying ive even convinced myself now Smile

OP posts:
McBaby · 16/05/2012 09:23

I second the mama mio range. Even if it doesn't stop the stretch marks it smells lovely and makes your skin all soft.

ItsMyLastOne · 16/05/2012 09:56

vix My belly was all front and low down and DD is most definitely a girl!

I also have to agree with PostBellumBugsy there really is no evidence that these stretch mark creams do anything except keep your skin moisturised. You're probably better off eating protein and drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated. But if you can afford it and it'll make you feel better then go for it.

I doubt I'll be doing any stretch mark creams this time after seeing that my sister used it and still got them, and I didn't and got a small one. I did put on 3.5 stone so you would've thought I'd be covered in them!

Sarahmarie2505 · 16/05/2012 10:43

Vaseline! Bio oil or I'm using my daughters epiderm cream ha ha anything greasy really but in all fairness I only use it because they get dry and crack it won't stop u getting them unfortunately an at least they fade eventually!

JeSuisMargaux · 20/05/2012 00:36

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Maiziemonkey · 20/05/2012 01:21

I have read that studies found it is the massage and subsequent stimulation to circulation, increase in blood floe to the area that helps healing and promotes fading so it could be lard you are smearing on and it doesn't matter!

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