anti-stretch mark creams - your recommendation?

[SpanishLady]

Hi - just wondering if people would recommend a stretch mark cream over and above any others?

also any general recs on soaps, bath products etc

thanks!

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you’ve come across it while searching for advice or information on stretch marks our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability and new releases. It includes a wide range of options from oils to butters, cream and balms designed for stretch mark prevention, relief and treatment. It’s been compiled using the advice of skincare experts as well as Mumsnet user recommendations. We hope it’s helpful!

I think it is really difficult to say because I think stretch marks are hereditary at the end of the day, but I used Mamma Mio Tummy Rub oil religiously last time so therefore I have to do the same this time!!! I didn't get any stretch marks and it has loads of good things in.

They say it's hereditary so nothing is sure, but I used Lush's therapy massage bar and I don't have a single stretchmark anywhere. (and I'm really old!!)

Smells divine too, and all the essential oils in it are recommended for pregnancy.

I've used Clarins every morning then bio oil/neals yard oil - which smells beautiful every evening. no stretch marks but a lovely soft belly. I know it's all down to genetics but its nice to have some pamper time too

It is all genetic, but exfoliating and moisturising can help with the itching. I used cocoa butter.

I'd pray if I were you! I used every product known to man, and didnt get a single stretchmark until I was 36 weeks. by week 42 I was covered from crotch to bra line! Looked like a zebra!

Whatever you use don't forget to rub it in from your knees to your shoulders, boobs included.
I was lucky - and they say eating a lot of folate - vitamin B group whole grains also helps keeps the skin elastic.
If you have a lot of melanin in your skin as a rule it's stetchier and less likely to tear in the dermal layer - which is what a stretch mark is. So make sure your vitamins are topped up. Not much you can do about being very fair skinned. INterestingly though the midwife team all clicked their tongues about a red haired very fair skinned M2B in our antenatal group, saying that she really had to do her perineal stretching exercises as she would most likely tear as well... fair skin is less stretchy all over

Pregnancy massages are lovely to have, if you've time etc and keep the belly and thighs soft - your therapist will recommend some products to suit your skin.

Surprisingly, I found palmers cocoa butter made my belly SO itchy, and in the end used Bio oil and Clarins - nice light fragrances- I couldn't use highly fragranced things when preggo as I would gag.

For showering I treated myself to Clarins eau dynamisante shower gel - it's a lovely refreshing and light fragrance. It can be used for a baby also.

good luck!

Don't forget whatever you chose, to apply it to your boobs and thighs! And try the perineal stretching also with a non fragranced vitamin E oil.

Yup genetic, but keeping the skin soft and supple helps with the itch and the recovery.

I used all sorts and was stretch mark free until the last couple of weeks of pregnancy when I developed them from my knees up to my shoulders. They are very, very bad indeed.

I used Bio oil with my first and reached 40 weeks without a single one... however DD decided to be 2 weeks late and in that time a few appeared just under my bump.

This time ive been doing the same but i ballooned much quicker and am much bigger so they have grown tons unneath my bump and have now at 34 weeks sneaked up above my tummy button. Not a happy bunny but theres not alot you can do about it im afraid

thanks so much for the tips - I know they will get me if they want but I am thinking about what I can do to 'look after' myself and wondered if the specifically targeted stretch mark cream was overpriced nonsense or not!

thanks again!

I used Palmers cocoa butter for stretch marks (has a pregnant woman on the front) and didn't get any. I have stretch marks from gaining and loosing weight at various times but didn't get any during pregnancy and nor did my mum so I follow the hereditary theory!

Another proponent of the 'hereditary' theory here too. i remember at about 30 weeks saying smugly to my mum, oh i've got none, i've been putting bio oil on every day...and my mum replied that she was the same, until last few weeks and then got them all under her bump. And what a PITA she was right. i had none until i was about 37wks and then one morning noticed them all underneath and since giving birth they actually seem to have got worse and gone above my belly button and very faintly on my boobs too....grrrrr...
so on that basis, bio oil would be about my limit price-wise. although is nice to pamper yourself whilst you are pg as IME you don't get chance once the baby arrives!

Im early days pregancy wise but decided to spoil myself a bit and got some cream and oil from the erbaviva range at space nk - and also some Bio oil - x

cinnamongreyhound is right i used palmers for pregnancy throughout both on my pregnancies and i ahvent had a single stretch mark, as for it being hereditary im not so sure and my mum was covered in them from her first pregnancy. i would say pick a good brand, (doesnt have to be particularly expensive ) and make it a bit part of your routine, lather yourself in it day and night and try not to use too much soap on ur bump which is drying and gets rid of your body's natural oils, and then from there all you can do is pray!!

I would reccomend 'Derma Mum Superior Stretch Mark Cream', is comes in a massive tub from Boots, about £10 (quite allot, but it is a very big tub!). I lather myself in it morning & night & touch wood don't have a stretch mark yet!

I'm only using Bio Oil and the new Vaseline intensive rescue cream, see here

I truly believe there is no point in spending loads, the idea is to keep the skin as moisturised as possible all the time! In the end, there is also the genetic/luck factor!

Don't spend lots on expensive creams as nothing will work. If you are going to get them you will! My mum didn't have any and neither have I (plenty of cellulite though). Just to resassure I am also very fair and didn't tear either except a tiny one with my first baby.

I used bio oil for my first, and didn't get a stretch mark untill about 39 wks! typical !! Serves me right for bragging about it! They wern't bad, just a few faint silver lines. They say it's hereditary, if so my mum and sister never used creams, and had bad purple marks, and still have ?
I have been using it again this time, and it makes your skin feel really soft. It doesnt leave you feeling sticky like some creams/oils.
There is a good offer on at the minute on Amazon.uk. If you choose 200ml, it is only £9.15. You save 54%, as it should be £20!!
If you choose the 3-5 day delivery option, it is free delivery. ( they charge for faster delivery).
I'd say that was a bargain!!

Oh yeah, forgot to say, I found the sanctuary mum to be range was really nice for a relaxing bath!! left my skin soft, and I loved the smell!