Stretch mark cream

[America5]

Hi!!

What did everyone use for stretch marks in their pregnancies and when did you start to use it?

All comments are greatly appreciated, thanks in advance Xx

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MNHQ update:
This thread is a few years old now, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for stretch mark treatment recommendations, our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability. From cream to oils, lotions and body butters, it includes a wide range of options tried, tested and approved by Mumsnetters as well as skincare experts.
We hope it's helpful!

Do normal body butters help too?

It’s genetic I’m afraid. If you’re going to get them you will, creams won’t help. They can soothe any discomfort and itching though. I use mama mio tummy rub butter, smells amazing, or Superdrug vitamin e cream as a cheaper option.

Palmer's lotion for stretch marks. As a PP said, it won't magically erase them but I've found it really helps with the dryness and itching

It’s genetic unfortunately! Drinking water will help too though.

I use palmers cocoa butter stretch mark cream, ive used it pretty much since my bump started to become noticeable, I personally like using it and i think it smells nice! I usually find it in home bargains (any excuse to have a mooch around there)
However I do think if im going to get stretch marks than im going to get them at least i have tried to avoid it 😊
My mum had 5 children and didn't have 1 stretch mark, im 35 and the youngest so back then she never used any types of creams or anything , however my sister has 3 children and got stretch marks with her first.. this is my first and have 8 weeks left so they could still creep up on me but if its genetics I don't know if I will get them or not? 🤔

Stretch marks happen in the deeper layers of the skin where creams and oils won’t penetrate, it’s genetic and nothing you put on your skin will make much, if any difference. Use some regular moisturiser and save your money.

Creams won’t make a difference 🤦‍♀️

I used bio oil once a day from quite early on, now 33 weeks with no stretch marks.

@liaun I’m 37 weeks and have used literally nothing, and have no stretch marks (yet, there’s still time) it’s genetic. If you were going to get them you’d get them regardless of anything you put on the outside of your skin

I hear the older you are, the less risk you’ll get them. Makes sense to me as I have loads
of faded stretch marks on my thighs from puberty but nothing from my pregnancies.

As others have said, creams won't make a difference.

Things that may help a bit; drinking plenty of water, using any moisturiser, trying not to pile weight on too quickly. Or changing your genetics

I used bio oil once a day from quite early on, now 33 weeks with no stretch marks.

I used bio oil every day in my first pregnancy too, my stomach was covered in stretch marks by the end (I don't think they appeared until around 34 weeks though)

I'm 36 weeks with my second now and don't seem to have any new stretch marks, I've only done very sporadic moisturising when I feel dry.

I used coconut oil from a glass jar.

I'm fully aware it "didn't make any difference" as previous posters have bluntly pointed out complete with face palm emojis but it was a bit of relaxing bonding time with the baby and helped with any itching.

I use palmers and if I feel like a treat the Mamma Mio one as it has a lovely citrus smell. I don't use for stretch marks though as know they are largely genetic however I'm having twins and at 22 weeks the size I was full term with DD so just want to give my skin plenty of love and care and hope it stays in good enough condition not to be left too saggy once the twins arrive! 🤣

I used bio oil religiously and had no stretch marks until 36 weeks and then they all decided to come out.

There is no miracle cure for preventing stretchmarks.

I’ve used Palmers stretch mark cream since the beginning of my pregnancy. Only starting to get stretch marks now at 36 weeks.