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Regardless of what has been plastered all over on social media, real skin has color, texture and blemishes.
At some stage in our lives, most of us will come to experience acne scars, aging spots, and even stretch marks — which naturally occur when the skin undergoes rapid stretching from various causes (pregnancy, weight gain, menopause, puberty, to name a few).
While there is certainly no shame in celebrating how natural bodies look, some may seek out skin treatments or cosmetic procedures to achieve a brighter, evener skin tone. When it comes to stretch marks, there are a range of topical options that can work preventatively or as a retroactive treatment.
Many will try out retinol-based serums, some may decide to splurge on salves that boost collagen production, while others might pick out massage creams to increase skin elasticity. Read on for a wide range of exert-selected stretch mark treatments from popular retailers like Amazon, Sephora, and CVS.
And, for those who are looking to revamp their entire skincare routine, head to the shopping team’s guide for the best products for dry skin, top Vitamin C serums, and most-loved anti-aging products.
Expert Recommendations
The Post consulted Master Esthetician Caroline Abraham for recommendations and expert advice on preventing and minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.
What are stretch marks and why do they appear?
Abraham explained that stretch marks are ruptures of collagen and elastin in the skin and appear when skin grows faster than at a normal rate.
“This rapid growing can happen during pregnancy, menopause, puberty, weight gain, or any type of mass accumulated in a short period of time,” she noted. “Stretch marks can appear as a fainted flesh color, pink, blue, or purple and have a rippled texture.
When applying a stretch mark cream, Abraham stressed that you must seek the advice of a medical professional and make sure the ingredients are right for you and your skin.
How often should you apply stretch mark treatments?
“Most stretch mark creams should be applied twice daily, morning and night,” shared Abraham. “Creams can be a great preventative measure for stretch marks and can help break down and smooth the appearance of the marks.”
What ingredients should you look for and stay away from in a stretch mark cream?
Abraham has recommended that shoppers pay particular attention to the ingredients for all stretch mark treatments: “When looking for a stretch mark cream some key ingredients to note are, retinoids, hyaluronic acid, adapalene, and tretinoins.”
“Ingredients I would steer away from in your cream are parabens, products with extensive scents, and petrolatum,” she added.
Best Overall Stretch Mark Treatment: Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil
Pros:
- Cruelty-free and clean ingredients
- Customers shared positive reviews regarding texture, floral smell, moisturizing benefits
- Fast-absorbing, the minimal oily residue left on the skin
Cons:
- Expensive
- The scented option is not for everyone
Formulation: oil | Size: 4.1 ounces
Tata Harper’s skincare is 100% natural. That means no synthetics, no outsourcing, and no shortcuts. This potion is packed with Evening Primrose oil for smoothing skin’s texture, Camellia Oil for vitamin B, as well as 11 vitamins, 18 nutrients, and six minerals — that’s a whole lot of good stuff in a small package. Keep in mind this is a scented product and reviewers mention the floral smell does linger on the skin, so be sure that you like the smell of grasslands and roses before buying Tata.
“This product is rich in antioxidants and vitamins to kick your collagen and elastin production up and heal those marks away,” said Abraham. “It’s on the pricer side but a little goes a long way and will leave you feeling nourished and treated. When using this or any treatment cream please always make sure to avoid the sun and apply a SPF!”
Pros:
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Helps improve the appearance of scars and prevent future stretch marks
- Safe for most pregnancies (always consult with Doctor)
Cons:
- Recommended that it is applied twice daily for the best results
- Strong scent (mixed reviews)
Formulation: oil | Size: 4.2 ounces
I used Bio-Oil religiously through the second and third trimester of pregnancy and it did it’s job — keeping my skin hydrated without clogging pores, and preventing stretch marks from appearing in the first place. It’s formulated for all skin types and designed with ingredients like Chamomile and Lavender Oil to calm, soothe, and soften, as well as “breakthrough ingredient” Purcell oil for easy absorption. I also must award Bio-Lite some extra points for being 100% recyclable, in addition to cruelty and paraben-free.
“Always consult your doctor and dermatologist before using any topical product while pregnant,” advised Abraham. “If your doctor clears you, I would recommend Bio-Oil Skincare Body Oil. This product has soothing benefits from sunflower oil and active vitamin A to go in and get your skin working hard to boost fibroblasts.”
Pros:
- Very light smell
- Budget-friendly
- Safe for most pregnancies (always consult with Doctor)
Cons:
- The cream may be more apparent on the skin than some fast-absorbing oils
Formulation: cream | Size: 4.4 ounces
Perhaps less heavy-duty than some other stretch mark treatments, but Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is still worth the hype. The massage cream is made with a blend of Cocoa and Shea butter which is known to improve hydration and support stretching skin.
Abraham has recommended Palmer’s for those looking for a good deal, but she also has pointed out that it works better as a treatment than a proactive solution: “Best budget friendly choice would be Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream, this product has less actives and would be best for preventative treatment.”
Pros:
- Can be used on the entire body
- Minimal scent
- Customer reviews suggest this product is often recommended by dermatologists and skincare professionals
- Can be used after body-sculpting treatments/procedures
Cons:
- Expensive
- Must be used twice daily for best results
Formulation: cream | Size: 6 ounces
Alastin hydrates the skin from inside out by delivering peptides and botanicals that support the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans. In addition to helping treat stretch marks, this cream can be used to firm up and tone crepey skin. For best results, users must apply two to three pumps in the morning and evening.
“If you want to splurge on your cream I would go with Alastin Skincare TransFORM Body Treatment with TriHex Technology. This product is on the pricer side but packs a punch in erasing stretch marks. I love this product due to the lightening and plumping effects.”
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Helps prevent sunburns as well as stretch marks (contains SPF 30)
- Suitable for use on various types of scars
Cons:
- Small amount of product (.70 ounces)
- Must be used three times daily for best results
Formulation: cream | Size: .70 ounces
If you’re not ready to throw over $100 on a stretch mark treatment, then head to the drugstore. You’ll find Mederma, which not only contains Cepalin botanical extract for approving the appearance of scars, but is also formulated with SPF 30 for sun protection. For scars, it is recommended that you apply the cream at least three times daily for eight consecutive weeks to see results.
Abraham notes that there are plenty of more affordable options that provide ample protection against stretch mark formation. “A go to drug store treatment is Mederma Scar Cream + SPF 30 Protection,” she shared. “With a combination treatment and spf you can’t go wrong!”
Pros:
- Small amount goes a far way (recommended to use two to three drops every one to two days)
- Lightweight
- Not heavily scented
- Best results when used consecutively
Cons:
- Expensive
- Retinoids can sometimes be harsh on sensitive skin — may feel tingly
Formulation: Serum | Size: 3.6 ounces
Retinol-based serums offer a stronger attack against aging skin and scarring-like stretch marks. So, while you may see impressive results over time, it’s important to note that it may not be the best for those with sensitive skin. Retional Reset blended their retinol moisturizer serum with bakuchiol to create a gentler formula that relieves some of the harsh irritation sometimes experienced with other retinol products.
“The best retinoid stretch mark cream in my opinion is Retinol Reset: .75% Retinol + 1% Bakuchiol Serum. This product is cruelty-free and packed with bakuchiol, niacinamide, squalene, hyaluronic acid, without any of the parabens and sulfates,” noted Abraham.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Large amount of product (5 ounces)
- Minimal scent
- All-natural, vegan formula
Cons:
- Best for dry/combination skin — not recommended for oily skin
- Some reviewers shared that there were issued with faulty packaging
Formulation: Balm | Size: 5 ounces
Another formula that is generally safe for pregnancy is Summer Friday’s Babymoon Belly Balm. This jelly-like belly balm has a minimal scent (which is pretty important for some pregnant women) and also contains no water and 100% vegan ingredients. The formula combines sunflower and avocado oil to support collagen synthesis, as well as Vitamin E for elasticity, and calendula oil to soothe overstretched skin. No wonder it’s been called a “secret weapon against stretch marks.”
“Best all natural treatment would be Summer Friday’s Babymoon Belly Balm, with safe all natural ingredients this is just a go to for pregnancy,” Abraham revealed.
Pros:
- Good for use on combination dry/oily skin
- Reviewers say this product was less irritating than others on sensitive skin
- Lightweight and silky texture
Cons:
- Expensive
- Mixed reviews on strong smell
- Small amount goes a long way
Formulation: Oil | Size: 3.4 ounces
I was given this body oil near the end of my pregnancy, and I wish I had discovered it earlier. Clarins uses 100% pure plant extracts, hazelnut oil, rosemary, and more omega-rich vitamins to minimize the appearance of stretch marks while also firming and toning skin. It also has an ultra-luxurious, spa-like aroma which I could never get enough of. For those looking for a lovely all-around treatment, look no further.
Abraham agrees that when it comes to oils, Clarins is by far the best: “As far as stretch mark oils I love Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil, a rich plant-based oil that boosts collagen and absorbs into the skin giving a plumped effect.”
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