Pregnancy weight gain can cause stretch marks in some pregnant women. While you aren’t guaranteed to avoid them, pregnancy cream for stretch marks can help some women avoid getting stretch marks.
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Stretch marks are narrow, streak-like lines that can develop on the surface of the skin. They can be different colors, from light pink to red or even purple and brown.
Stretch marks typically pop up on the belly and/or butt and upper thighs and come along with pregnancy weight gain. Stretch marks are common and can affect upwards of 8 out of 10 pregnant women.
While not always possible to prevent, creams can keep the skin moisturized and may help in prevention.
Not all creams are created equal. In this article, we’ll go over the best options for helping prevent stretch marks in pregnancy.
Pregnancy cream for stretch marks
While there isn’t a lot of evidence that stretch mark creams work to prevent them, any moisturizing of the skin is a good thing.
It’s best to talk to your doctor before adding any stretch mark creams to your pregnancy routine. Some creams need to be avoided during pregnancy due to their ingredients of retinols, retinoids, vitamin A and tretinoin.
Choosing a cream that you’d like to use and then phoning your doctor to run that past her/her before using would be advisable.
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How do you choose a stretch mark cream?
The three tips below are a good place to start with choosing a pregnancy cream for stretch marks.
You could also ask your OBGYN or doctor for their recommendations, or choose from the creams below and ask your doctor which they’d recommend out of your options.
Either way, keeping the skin hydrated as it grows is a good idea.
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Look for hydrating ingredients
Keeping your skin as hydrated as possible can help the skin during pregnancy. Humectants such as glycerin can be effective at keeping the skin moisturized.
2. Choose a hypoallergenic option
If you have sensitive skin you will want to look for as few ingredients as possible to avoid any possible reactions. Lotions that don’t have fragrance, for example, will be the best bet.
3. Look for a cream that includes shea butter
Lotions that include shea butter or cocoa butter can assist in the comfort of the skin when it stretches by cutting back on the irritation that one can experience while skin expands.
Creams for stretch marks during pregnancy
Below are creams you may want to use during pregnancy to keep your skin nice and moisturized.
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Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula
Palmer’s states that their lotion keeps the skin hydrated and soft all day. Free from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, and fragrance allergens. And that it’s suitable for sensitive skin.
It currently has a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
You can find it on Amazon.
2. Earth Mama Belly Butter
Earth mama states that their body butter keeps the skin smooth and supple as it grows during pregnancy. The body butter is packed with natural ingredients and powerful herbs and oils.
It currently has a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
You can find it on Amazon.
3. Belli Elasticity Belly Oil
Belli Elasticity bell oil states that their oil is formulated to condition your skin with deep hydration, preparing it for the growth and stretch that happens during pregnancy.
It currently has a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
You can find it on Amazon.
4. Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter
Burt’s Bees states that their belly butter is for pregnancy and beyond, it softens and smooths skin, it’s fragrance free, and the belly butter is non-irritating and 99% natural formulated without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS.
It currently has as 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
You can find it on Amazon.
5. Pipette Belly Oil
Pipette states that their belly oil locks in moisture and supports the skin with antioxidant vitamin E, which keeps the skin nice and soft and moisturized during pregnancy. Pipette adds a weightless moisture to the skin.
It currently has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
You can find it on Amazon.
6. Green Goo Belly Balm Salve
Green Goo states that their belly balm salve is packed with lavender, rosehip seed oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. Their cream helps with moisturizing the skin, soothing the skin, and is good for sensitive skin.
It currently has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
You can find it on Amazon.
7. HONEST Mama Rock The Bump Body Butter
HONEST states that their body butter has naturally derived ingredients, moisture lasts up to 24 hours, is created for sensitive skin, and is hypoallergenic. It has a buttery blend of shea butter, avocado oil and vitamin E.
It currently has a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
You can find it on Amazon.
Wrapping it up
Stretch marks may happen during your pregnancy and they’re nothing to dread or be embarrassed about.
Some women just will get them no matter what they do to prevent. However, if you want to try and prevent them, these lotions and butters may help you.
Just some things to remember:
- look for hydrating ingredients
- choose a lotion or butter good for sensitive skin
- pick a product with shea butter
- run it past your doctor
- follow the directions on the bottle
- put on the area you want to avoid stretch marks
In the end, you can only do so much to help keep the belly smooth and supple. Try not to obsess about stretch marks and just enjoy your growing belly and changing body.
It’s a once in a lifetime experience (or multiple in a lifetime), you’re growing a life that you’ll love for the rest of your life, and in the end, stretch marks, should they show up on your skin, are just a badge of honor for what your body is doing growing a new life inside.
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Mom to Littles is a passion project of long-time stay-at-home mother of three boys. Nell loves to write about baby names, pregnancy advice, best baby products, and self-care for new moms. You’ll find MomtoLittles.com to be a place for real talk and a warm hug from a friend for the mom of little children.