Any tips for easing stretchmarks in pregnancy?

[Bogglechops]

I'm about 25 weeks into my second pregnancy, and had fairly bad stretch marks the first time around. This time they're appearing sooner and it's making my belly so itchy and uncomfortable! I've been using a plain moisturiser twice a day which doesn't seem to be cutting it. I'm moving on to blends natural oils instead.

Has anyone found anything that has really soothed them whilst they're still forming? I'm not a fan of bio oil, would prefer something a bit more natural. Are there any miracle products out there!?

Thanks for your help!

I use a stupid amount of coconut oil morning and evening. I'm doing well so far, I think I might have one teeny stretch mark forming near my belly button now (I'm 34+3), but the coconut oil really takes the itch out of stretching skin. I'm also trying to drink at least 2L of water a day to keep hydrated.

I use plain e45 lotion with a few drops of oil in it. Haven't got any stretch marks but I know the itchy tight feeling you describe and this helped.

I was wondering if you have a rash along side your stretch marks with the itching? As if so usually Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy its a rash thats related to stretching of the skin on the abdomen but it's rarer for it to recur when you're having another baby but if it does its usually milder. It's not anything to worry about it's just a rash that happens along side stretch marks in the later stages of pregnancy and goes a few weeks after birth. I had it with my DD I also have a million stretch marks through childbirth and weight loss.

Itching is usually a sign of the above or dry skin moisturising often should help you. (If you get severe itching it can indicate other issues in pregnancy so important to mention it to your midwife) like smellsofelderberries suggested Coconut oil is a good natural and it's nice and soothing or anything natural aimed at dry skin. I tried Bio oil and hated the smell and it wasnt until I saw a specialist how much of a waste of money it is! As are most of these expensive creamed aimed at stretch marks.

Keep up the massaging although there is no evidence that any creams prevent (or make stretch marks disappear) there is some evidence to suggest that the massaging/ manipulation of the skin can help prevent them. Stretch marks occur in the middle layer of skin (dermis) they are not on top where we apply lotion so it's pretty much to ease dry skin rather than treating the actual stretch marks. Some people get more than others but its not down to cream or what they use but their skin type some people have very elastic skin so it stretches and bounces back without less breaks within the dermis. More breaks and stretching to the dermis makes more stretch marks.

Thanks so much for your replies! I will try coconut oil. Strange that you mention polymorphic eruption leopardpuzzled, every 3 or 4 years i get polymorphic light eruption in spring, so I'm guessing I may well be succeptible to it.

I'll try adding a bit of vitamin E too, had totally forgotten that it existed.

Thanks ladies!

My friend told me to try Coconut Oil in the bath!! So I've started with that... Fingers crossed!!