Stretch mark creams- do they work??

[MoominMoma]

The thread title says it all really! Just wondered if any of them make any difference before I go and shell out money for no reason. Any advice would be greatly received!

Bio-oil is winning at the moment! Thanks.

did not work for me, sorry. But a firend of mine has been putting normal olive oil and does not have any and her skin looks so smooth and nice!!

See, that's the thing. For every person who used this or that cream/oil, but still got stretchmarks, there's another person who will come along and say that they didn't get any because they used X-potion... How can you know?

I've heard of people using Bio-Oil and getting them, and also of people like Darkmere who didn't...

Etc.

FWIW: despite knowing - rationally - that it wouldn't make a difference, and that - effectively - it's down to luck - I used a whole load of different creams and oils...

• Clarins Oil & stretchmark cream
• Dr. Hauschka oil
• some Avent stuff
• Neal's Yard Mother's Balm & Massage Oil
• some other stuff I can't remember the name of
• Bio Oil
• Decleor prolagene gel

erm...

And... I didn't get stretchmarks... I wonder which was the right one?

It must be said that I never suffered from an itchy bump or sore skin, so all that moisture helped in that regard. And I found it relaxing at the end of the day to rub my bump for a few minutes.

LOL, I had Clarins cream when pregnant with DS1 and now have Biotherm cream and Dr Hauschka oil. I quite like the oil but not sure if they have any impact. Cannot do any harm and maybe we just "are worth" a little pampering ?

I've used bio-oil morning and night since about 3 months. Am now 41+1 and no stretch marks. I thought it was one of those things too, you either get them or you dont, but I did get them on hips and tits as a teen. My opinion was, it doesnt hurt to try!

I used Bio Oil religiously, thought I'd got away with it and then the buggers appeared at 38 weeks.

Mind you, my bump grew so hugely in that last month that I can't see how any product would have prevented damage. DS is now 16 months and they've pretty much faded to almost invisible.

Shame the belly and section scar have failed to do likewise

Is there anyway of treating stretch marks once you have them?
I'm 16+4 and already have the most ugly looking marks on my belly so can't imagine how bad they'll be at full term . I have sufferred from stretch marks for years as I have a very heavy child , lost weight and then put weight back on.
I have been using coco butter but it isn't helping and the smell of it makes me feel sick

they will eventually fade to white anyway, but bio-oil is supposed to help with that. I read something a few months back that said cocoa-butter was as good as useless

uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKCOL56363020080805

I've used so many creams (but I was a volunteer for testing) but I did find the Heaven and the Palmers cream good when the skin on my bump felt tight and itchy.
I don't think there is that much you can do while pg. Am wondering if it is genetic though? My mum didn't use cream and she didn't get any stretch marks, neither have I so far (39 weeks) but my sister, whose got drier skin like my aunt got stretch marks as did my aunt?

although some people will dispute the genetic association. I havent really used creams for my bump. I dont have any stretch marks on my stomach and I was huge with both pregnancies. I have loads of them on my boobs and this is the area where I have applied lots of cream and oils.
I do think it is very much down to skin type unfortunately.However it is lovely to pamper yourself with lots of lovely smellies!

well my mum and sister are covered and i only got one in two pregnancies and gained over 3 stone each time.

they didn't use anything and i religiously twice a day used a selection of oils and creams so in my opinion they do help.

however i couldn't stand the smell of palmers - far too sweet and preferred the more aromatherapy/plant type smells.

your skin feels nicer and moisturiser is good so what have you got to lose?