Stretch mark cream advice!!

[minimouse88]

Hi there all - i'm 10 weeks pregnant and would like to know if anyone out there has any advice to offer re stretch mark creams and oils? I bought some bio oil but after using it a few times made my skin really itchy, so went and bought some Clarins Tonic Oil today...

I'm not sure if I bought the best one tho as the lady said there is another clarins stretch mark "cream" which is apparently also very popular.

Can anyone offer any advice on which type of creams/oils worked for them? and when the best time to start using them is?

From what i've read its down to your skin type as to whether you get stretch marks or not, but i'm prepared to use whatever you girls can recommend to minimise my chances of getting them!!!! Thanks all )

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for recommendations or advice on stretch mark treatment and prevention, our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options and has been compiled based on the advice of Mumsnetters and skincare experts. We hope it's helpful!

I swore by Body shop 'Olive' body butter
I have had 2 pgs and I was mahoosive, but no stretch marks!

hiya minimouse88
im 36weeks pregnant and only started using stretch mark oil in the last month, i use Vaseline Cocoa Butter Body Oil every night, it has helped my stretch marks alot! they have reduced alot now, the only downside is your all oily for about an hour, now iv been using it a while it soaks in quicker and got used to the oilyness.. i would highly recommend it

I've been told that anything with coco butter in it will do what's needed. Cost has no relation to it apparently.

I have religiously used Palmers since the start of my pregnancy (39 weeks now) and have stretched a little bit but nothing too horrific.

I reckon that it is all down to genes and skin type. It is a lovely treat to slather loads of cream all over your bump after every shower though!

I tried cocoa butter on one side of the bump and nothing on the other as an experiment.

Got no stretch marks... on either side. I think it's the luck of the draw.

No cream will prevent stretch marks - it is up to your genes and your fat. If your mum has them then you probably will too, and if you are fat then you are more likely to get them.

Stretch marks are caused by tissues tearing underneath the skin, so why should reubbing cream into the skin prevent the lower tissues tearing?

The point of stretch mark cream, as my dh said, is that you may not be able to prevent stretch marks, but you can certainly have fun trying!

Bio-oil has worked for me so far at 37 weeks, but if it makes you itch that's not much help for you, but others reading this thread may be interested. I've been using it since 7 or 8 weeks pregnant.

My mum didn't get any stretch marks either so it may be nothing to do with the oil, just genetics - I'm sure no one really knows though so I'm sticking with the oil. Haven't tried any others.

Also wanted to say that my sister has terrible stretch marks (the worst her midwife had ever seen) and i have hardly any (none after DD, but some appeared right at end of pregnancy - literally last 2 weeks) with DS - my sister was religious about the cream and I wsn't and we are both around the same weight... my skin is more olive (like my mums and she didn't really get) and hers is fairer. would also say that my sister got stretch marks during puberty so that might be an indication?

so my conclusion is that a) its chance and b) they might not appear until 38 weeks!

Mamma mio tummy rub oil is lush. Smells lovely. Used it with DS, got no stretch marks. Am 36 weeks now and they have also stayed away.

I also havent suffered from itchy skin because of it which is a godsend.

Palmers cocoa butter - cheap and cheerful - rubbed on my bump every night! I got 2 very tiny marks on one hip, and my baby was over 10lb!!

Stretch marks may be caused by damage under the skin, but a lot of women get saggy, dimply skin on their tummies after pregnancy - regular moisturising must help prevent that.

I haven't had terrible stretch marks (either with DD or with current pregnancy - 35 weeks), but they are there. I've used Palmer's Cocoa Butter (lotion for the first, Tummy Butter this time) for both. It may not have stopped them coming, but it certainly stops them itching - that'll do for me at the moment!

I'm using Aveda fragrance-free body oil, together with E45 lotion. Used it with good results for dd, and am keeping my fingers crossed this time round! I like the fact that it has no smell so doesn't add to my nausea.

There is no sense nor science in rubbing things into your skin to prevent stretch marks. Save your money

hi! i have just used nivea cream for dry skin up until now as its really oily so i feel its doing some good at preventing sm? 36wks and no sm yet however i have also just started with clarins tonic oil after showering! thought i would leave it in the cuboard till i really need it????????? the smell of palmers made me sick the joys of heightened smells!

Thanks girls thats really helpful!! off to see what i can find on a snowy christmas eve

I used Palms cocoa butter which felt lovely. Didn't stretch or mark too badly. I was more concerned with the stretchmarks that were appearing on my boobs when I was breastfeeding and started using Ren Overnight Serum from SpaceNK. Faded the marks really quickly and smells gorgeous.

bio oil /coco butter

I had some stretch marks with my first pregnancy, nothing bad really, but have been using Palmer's Cocoa Butter this time round (oh and for DD2 too), and have absolutely nothing. At £2.99, you can't go wrong!

And yet my stomach is so stretched that when I posted a couple of pics to my friends, they asked if I had photoshopped the pic as the bump looked so surreal.

I don't know if this 'prevented' stretchmarks, or just nicely moisturised tummy so no itching either, but I use olive oil when I get out of bath or shower (so while I'm still wet) then lightly towel pat to remove excess and water.

I used wheatgerm oil throughout and had the smoothest, softest tummy right up to 40 weeks, was quite smug! Then, I went 9 days over and have a road map on my lower belly! Cried my eyes out when I first saw them but they are already fading and now dd is here I really don't care! I think it is one of those things really. Good luck!

All the evidence says it is down to skin type - but in a desperate bid to avoid them I've been using the Clarins Tonic Oil (the one that says it is good in pregnancy or after weight loss) every night since about 6 weeks (am 25 weeks now with twins). In the morning I use bio oil or the Sanctuary stretch mark oil. Had an itchy stage and bought the E45 shower cream which I have to say is brilliant for that. Here's hoping...!

I read about Clarins stretch mark control formula on Google and I found some good reviews but while using it, I found it not as effective as it claims