What did you use to prevent/fade stretch marks?

[Bellasblankexpression]

I know, I know, it’s the luck of the genetic draw and probably nothing I do will make a difference but I like to at least kid myself I’m doing something.
A friend swears by bio oil but last time I used it, it stained all my pjs!
Anyone else got any recommendations for what worked for them?

You are correct. Your friend would have been fine with or without the Bio Oil. Use something you like and hope for the best.

Time

Lush dream cream alternated with bio oil on my belly during pregnancy and didn't get any. I. Already have them on my thighs and I know nothing will get rid of them they don't bother me though.

Time

Maybe I’ll smother myself in almond oil - I love the smell and it can’t hurt!

Theoretically you need something which boosts collagen, to make the skin more elastic so it snaps back iyswim.
So something like ground flaxseeds and lots of vitamin C, in your diet not in creams.
Lots and lots of water too, I add 1/8th cranberry juice to my water to boost vitamin C.

Otherwise wait until not pregnant or trying to conceive and whack prescription strength retin-A on them. I haven't tried this myself as I just use it on my face, but friends who got bad stretch marks from weight loss swear by it.

Or don't care about them, my preferred method

Get some vitamin E capsules. Prick them with a pin and rub the contents onto your skin. It worked for me

I liked Bio Oil and Palmers Cocoa Tummy Butter.

They did fuck all for preventing them. Bio Oil was great for after I had them though.

I shrunk back to my size after about a year and now all I have are these clear, shrink marks. They're lovely... like little tiger stripes, a little memento of my boy growing in there. I've grown to love them.

It's the skin underneath the surface that stretches - topical application of ANYTHING won't stop that happening.

Unless you can "condition" the skin from the inside (good diet, sensible exercise, water etc), keep the weight gain slow and steady, and are lucky with your genes, I don't think any creams/oils will make a scrap of difference.

I remember a TV show tested variouse creams. People liked some for mosturisers but reality was none ade any diference. Ok it was a small study but even so.

I used rosehip oil for a while and found it helped to fade them but it’s quite expensive and they fade over time anyway. I just leave them alone now.

I don’t have a single stretch mark and I’m in my fifties and have had two children. My mother doesn’t have them either.

My daughter has a few and she is only 21.

From around 15 I have moisturised my whole body daily and I think it’s a combination of genetics and moisturising and keeping a consistent weight and not fluctuating.

Using a tiny amount of fake tan with your usual moisturiser should cover fine stretch marks.

All wise advice! Luckily my weight gain has been steady So far despite the three months of beige and I’m trying to keep it that way.
I like the description of them as tiger marks!
I think I’ll carry on moisturising as I enjoy it as a bit of an evening pamper but not get too hung up on it.
Vitamin e is a good suggestion though as I switched my skincare range to a vitamin e range and have seen a big difference generally so can’t hurt!

I had them with my second and not my first, differences in my second pregnancy were massive weight gain /lots of fluid and being older. My mum didn't have any, she was tiny but had two huge babies. She would never have let herself get fat and had no loose skin on her stomach.