Creams to prevent stretch marks when pregnant

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I know some people will say no creams prevent stretch marks but just thought I'd ask.

I absolutely love body creams but now I'm pregnant I'm really cautious of what kind of body creams I use.

I'm only 11 weeks and not sure really WHEN to start using a cream or oil to prevent stretch marks.

Is there any you would recommend that you feel has helped and when you started using it?
I've read online that you should start from the 1st trimester moisturising stomach, boobs, hips, bum and thighs!

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MNHQ update:
This thread is a few years old now, but if you've come across it while hunting for stretch mark treatment recommendations, our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability. It includes a wide range of options from creams to oils, butter and lotions - all tired, tested and approved by Mumsnet users as well as skincare experts.
We hope it's helpful!

You can't really prevent them as the skin will tear at a level most lotions and potions won't reach. There are so many factors which affect whether you will or won't get them and tbh, they're not the end of the world.

I moisturised throughout both pregnancies as I have very dry skin. In one pregnancy I didn't get a mark and in the other, I was absolutely covered. Age and how I carried were the difference tbh. I used prescription cream.

I used lush dream cream and bio oil from the start prob about 3 times a week and didn't get any. No harm in trying to prevent!

Honestly, there really are none.
You will either get stretch marks or you won't, irrespective of whether you use creams.
If you want to pamper yourself then go for it though, it might ease itchiness that you sometimes get during the later stages?

I should add I didn't use a thing, had such bad hyperemesis throughout I couldn't have given a shiny shite about stretchmarks. Didn't get a single one.

I used Neal's Yard Mother's Balm throughout most of my pregnancy and only got a single stretch mark over the scar where I used to have a belly button piercing. I'm very prone to stretch marks, absolutely covered in them from growth and weight gain as a teenager, so was expecting to get loads in pregnancy pregnancy was very pleasantly surpriser when I didn't. Whether the Mother's Blam played a role in that or I was just lucky, I don't know, but it did help prevent my skin from feeling too tight and itchy as my bump got bigger, so I'd say it was worth it anyway.

I enjoyed using Palmer's Cocoa Butter from about 4 months, and have had no stretchmarks (so far, they may appear after giving birth). A big bottle from Boots has lasted exactly till my due date to run out, using it either once or twice a day!

I didn't want to invest in something expensive as it probably makes no difference, but I enjoyed feeling moisturised. I'm on board with the genetics thing, as my mum never got any stretchmarks either. And, I did get stretchmarks from growing as a teenager btw... so that apparently also doesn't predict anything.

You can't prevent them.

I used cocoa butter and boi oil throughout my pregnancy and my stretch marks appeared at 39 weeks

I used the Weleda Stretch Mark Oil from very early on and didn’t get single stretch mark (I was size 8 pre-baby too and had a huuuuuuuge bump, so there was deffo some serious stretching going on!)

I’ve got stretch marks all over my bum and thighs from when I was a teenager so I know I can get them, but this stuff seemed to do the trick on my tummy when I was pregnant. I’ve recommended it to all of my friends who’ve become pregnant!

It’s nice to use moisturiser but I really think stretch marks are genetic, you’re either lucky or you’re not.

Apparently it's genetic so nothing you can do either way. I was huge on all three pregnancies(I'm only 4"11" ) so my total lack of stretch marks was commented on several times by midwives .

I used a dry oil as it wasn’t so greasy. The other oils and lotions I just felt sticky all the time. The Avon one is good, I didn’t get any stretch marks but don’t know if that was down to genes or the oil. Can’t hurt though, and always made me feel a bit pampered when I was down.

You can't prevent them it's genetic (Thankyou mum!) I did use the cocoa butter pregnancy one though but just to make my bump feel nice

My sister swore by Clarins Tonic oil.
Two full term pregnancies and no stretch marks. She gave me a large bottle when I was pregnant and I too have no stretch marks. Although I did get some on my boobs but didn’t think to use the oil on them.
Many of her friends used it and again no stretch marks.
It is expensive but as you use it on damp skin you don’t need a lot.

Yes I suspect it is genetic, but I found that it feels good to be doing something regardless!

I used Palmers Cocoa butter and didn't get any stretch marks. I wasn't massively keen on the smell though so am reading the thread with interest for this time round

Love boo soft and creamy anti stretch mark cream

loveboo.com/product/soft-creamy-body-smoother-190ml-6-40fl-oz/

All the ladies in my family have stretch marks from pregnancies. I have 3 DC, am usually a size 10 or 12 and give birth to babies over 9lb. I have no stretch marks!!!.I was recommended it by a friend. I have used it every morning and night for each pregnancy from about 12 weeks

P.s. I also took note of where other ladies had stretch marks and paid attention to these areas

I have 4 kids, am a bigger person and am covered in them.

My sister is a size 6, had a huge baby and hasn't got any!!

We both used creams. It's just luck. You can't stop them

I used Mama Mio tummy rub butter from around four months in all three of my pregnancies. It feels lovely and smells lovely too. I haven’t got a single stretch mark BUT my mum never got stretch marks so I don’t know if it’s genetic.

I also gained a steady moderate amount of weight throughout my pregnancies so I don’t know if that was also a factor.

I used Palmers cocoa butter with both my pregnancies. I was tiny and babies were massive and I've no stretch marks.

But honestly, I think it's probably genetic. My Mum never got any either and I was 9lb 4oz.

I got loads in my first pregnancy but didnt get anymore with subsequent pregnancies. They've all faded now, just faintly visible silvery lines if you squint. Use whatever moisturiser you like!

Yes, a part of me wonders is it genetic. I've also heard drinking lots of water can help as it hydrates the skin. And to rub when feeling itchy rather than scratch etc.
I love using body creams.
But have been reluctant to when pregnant but thought I'd try some of these and see if it does help.

I actually have no idea if my mum has stretch marks or not.
I'm going to have a look at all that you've suggested and order some I think.
Thanks for the recommendations. There's loads to look at here. 😊

Best thing you can probably do is keep yourself hydrated and cross your fingers. Genetics and your skin type are the deciding factors, no cream can change those things. I come from a family of shorties who had bigger than average babies (inc my mum who had twins) and we all escaped- none of us used anything. We would all have quite oily skin, not sure if that had something to do with it.

@TheCraicDealer

Best thing you can probably do is keep yourself hydrated and cross your fingers. Genetics and your skin type are the deciding factors, no cream can change those things. I come from a family of shorties who had bigger than average babies (inc my mum who had twins) and we all escaped- none of us used anything. We would all have quite oily skin, not sure if that had something to do with it.

Yes it could be. If you have oily skin you're less likely to have wrinkles too!