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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Recommendations for stretch mark creams that work.

26 replies

kittyz · 08/05/2019 19:28

Hey all,

As title says, starting to show a little bit, 12 weeks now.

Any stretch mark creams that are actually worth buying? All advice appreciated.

Smile

MNHQ update:
This thread is a few years old now, but if you've come across it while looking for stretch mark treatment recommendations, our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability. It's made up of tried and tested options from oils to creams, lotions and body butters - all approved by Mumsnetters as well as skincare experts, .
Hope it's helpful! Flowers

OP posts:
Cosmogirl86 · 08/05/2019 20:00

Unfortunately the main factor is genetic so most creams are nonsense.

Later on your bump may itch and I use coconut oil and baby oil for that, no evidence suggests topical treatment stops stretch marks

NaughtyLittlePassport · 08/05/2019 20:02

None will work. Just moisturise and hope

PugPupsMum · 08/05/2019 20:04

I’ve been using a Clarins body tonic oil which comes highly recommended and I haven’t got any stretch marks yet - although still got a way to go!

I agree with PP it’s mostly genetics but at least I’m trying to prevent/reduce their appearance.

Plus it feels super luxurious and I love the little ritual of rubbing it into my bump after a bath/shower. Feels like mine & bumps special moment of the day (yes I ’m aware how cringey that sounds!!)

It’s not cheap but I used my Boots points to buy it and being an oil a little goes a long way.

Original poster
kittyz · 08/05/2019 20:07

Ah fu*k I was hoping there would be one that worked!!!

Girl in work told me today that I was starting to show a little, which kind of sent me into panic mode!!

Fingers crossed for the genes then Grin

OP posts:
firstimemamma · 08/05/2019 20:08

Coconut oil and olive oil (but not together!) - natural and cheap Smile

I think it's down to luck / genetics but I still applied oils religiously because it was such a relaxing part of my routine and that's never a waste of time or effort especially during pregnancy imo.

I hope you have a good pregnancy Thanks

Original poster
kittyz · 08/05/2019 20:08

Oooh thank you PugPupsMum. I love Clarins stuff, so will check that out. Thanks for that!
Sounds like a nice little ritual for you and bump too Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
kittyz · 08/05/2019 20:10

Thank you firstimemamm, seems like oils are definitely the way to go.

I hope you have a good pregnancy too Flowers

OP posts:
Sweetooth92 · 08/05/2019 20:38

Yeah nothing works. I religiously applied 2-3x a day from 12 weeks and finished up looking like I’d been shredded with deep, wide purple red marks from an inch above by belly button down to below my hips. Initially I was absolutely devastated, it was lumpy and hung where the skin had been torn and couldn’t shrink down.
However, 15 months later, they’ve faded to the same colour as my skin and everything has tightened back up fairly well with no overhang or anything. Unless you were looking for them you wouldn’t see them. After the first 4-6 months the difference was amazing and it continues to get better.
I’m not trying to worry you, I just basically wanted to reassure you that it really isn’t the end of the world, and that time really does make things better. I was initially convinced I’d have to pay for surgery and now I’m happy with the way it looks!

Oblomov19 · 08/05/2019 20:42

I used bio-oil. I have none, after 2 x ds's. But I think that's just luck.

ememem84 · 08/05/2019 20:46

I used clarinet stretch mark cream with ds. Used it religiously.

However with dc2 (currently 28 weeks) I’m just using a regular moisturiser. So far so good.

PlinkPlink · 08/05/2019 21:02

BioOil seemed to be good?

I had stretch marks but once you lose your baby weight the red marks will go away and they'll become shrink marks. Just white/clear lines.

I love my shrink marks. I always thought I'd hate them but I do actually love them. They remind me of feeling my DS wriggling around in there and that bump I miss so much 😊😊

newmummalion · 08/05/2019 21:37

I'm sure it's just luck but I used Palmers Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Lotion and I didn't get any stretch marks. It's about £4 too!

Teddybear45 · 08/05/2019 22:15

I got stretch marks after I lost weight and a combination of exfoliation / bio oil really helped to fade the colour from red to silver. I plan to do the same thing again from 12 weeks.

Lorrie3 · 08/05/2019 22:23

I used the Palmers cocoa butter stretch mark cream from 12 weeks rubbed it all over belly after every shower and I am 38 weeks ow and only have one tiny stretch mark that u can barely see. So I think it'd worth it.... And its not too pricey.. Think I've gone through about 3 or 4 tubes of it since 12 weeks!

Tinekittie2 · 09/05/2019 02:10

I'm really prone to stretch marks...got them all over my butt and hips. Got a load on my boobs when I hit 20 weeks so I assumed I'd get them over my tummy too.

I used bio oil twice a day from 24 weeks and at 38 weeks still no tummy stretch marks (also started eating lots of jelly with gelatin to increase my collagen). Fingers crossed I can get through the next 2 weeks without getting any, but we'll see!

Good luck!!

Candycats · 09/05/2019 15:26

I used the Bepanthen stretch mark cream on my bump twice a day and never got any but possibly just luck! I did enjoy applying it though as was lovely giving bump a little massage ☺️ I did however get stretch marks on my boobs which I was stupidly unprepared for!

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 09/05/2019 15:29

It's absolutely luck.
I didn't use anything like that during my pregnancy and didn't get a single stretch mark.

Spargle · 09/05/2019 17:29

I started using the Burt’s Bees Mama Bee cream on my bump at Christmas (16 weeks ish? I forget!). So far, at a very large 34 weeks, I have nothing on my bump.

Didn’t use it on my boobs (36A - 38C/D growth) and they have stretch marks. Really disappointed - they’ve not grown nearly as much as my tummy!

Don’t think it was the stuff I put on me, really, though, as my left boob got stretch marks way before the right one, and I started using the cream as soon as I noticed them. The right one got them anyway. Everything is lovely and soft, though - I love the stuff!

Slomi · 09/05/2019 17:35

I applied creams and body butters religiously. Thought I'd gotten away with no stretch marks at 38 weeks. At 38 and a half weeks I got loads under my bump (needed a mirror to see them) and by 40 weeks I was covered. My mother has loads. It's genetic I'm afraid Envy

xJune88 · 09/05/2019 17:36

I just moisturise my bump whenever I do my face. I just use Aveeno, no marks yet.. 39+4 x

Bubblebubble123 · 09/05/2019 20:48

I’m a big fan of almond oil. It’s cheaper than bio oil and goes much further. I am prone to stretch marks, have them from growing as a teen. I didn’t get one mark with my first pregnancy as I used almond oil every night before bed! I’ve also told friends to use it and no marks on them either!!!

RockyisMYRhino · 09/05/2019 20:51

I used palmers cocoa butter stretch mark lotion when I was pregnant and didn't get any that were too bad. Nearly two years later you can hardly see them

Windmill47 · 09/05/2019 20:55

Still searching for that magic product... with my first pregnancy I spent a fortune on different products; secret saviours day/night gel and stretch mark band, coconut oil, Bio oil etc but ended up with lots on my Bump.
They have all faded to pretty much the same colour as my skin three years on. This time I was resigned to the fact that I would end up covered but I’m 35 weeks and none have appeared as yet - I think it’s a lot to do with genetics and possibly luck of the draw!

AmC39 · 09/05/2019 20:58

I used the palmers too, not a mark! Also I added baby oil to my baths.

RaptorWhiskers · 09/05/2019 20:59

In my experience stretch marks are the least of your worries. As long as your tummy goes flat again you can hide stretch marks with clothes. But if your tummy is stretched beyond recovery you’ll be stuck with a round belly and a flap of skin which is so much worse than stretch marks!