The 6 Best Stretch Mark Creams for Pregnancy of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter at Amazon

"Provides relief and comfort to stretched skin."

Best Oil: Bio-Oil at Amazon

"Made of a blend of oils that help add moisture to your skin."

Best Prevention Cream: Stretch Marks & Scars Defense at Amazon

"Uses a customized blend of high-quality and natural ingredients."

Best During Pregnancy: Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy at Amazon

"A paraben-free, nourishing cream formula."

Best Organic: Glow Organics Belly Butter at Amazon

"Reduces and prevents stretch marks and scars."

Best Massage: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion at Amazon

"Made with a special skin-strengthening formula."

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter

burts-bees-belly-butter — Courtesy of Amazon

4.5

When it comes to a stretch mark cream product, you want something safe and effective, and any added perks like extra moisturizing, pleasant to smell, and easy to apply are nice to have, as well. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter is a stretch mark cream specially designed for pregnant women and moms, made to nourish your belly both before and after pregnancy. With the name-brand recognition of Burt’s Bees, you know you can trust this product to deliver.

Grab this cream to soften and smooth your skin with naturally hydrating cocoa, shea, and jojoba butter, or help your skin recover after pregnancy with the 99 percent natural belly butter that provides relief and comfort to stretched skin.

The lotion is fragrance-free, so it won’t bother your sensitive nose if you’re currently pregnant, and the formula is non-irritating, made without harmful ingredients like phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS. With more than 3,000 reviews, if you’re looking for your first cream to try out, this is a good place to start.

Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter Review

Best Oil: Bio-Oil

If you prefer applying an oil as opposed to a cream to prevent or treat stretch marks, Bio-Oil is a top seller. Its also clinically proven and dermatologist tested to not only treat scars but also improve dull aging skin so you can use it all over your body.

Bio-Oil is made of a blend of oils that help add moisture to your skin helping it stretch as your belly gets bigger and aid in restoration postpartum.

Reviewers remark it worked well for them during pregnancy and they continued to use the bottle which lasts a long time afterward. Some note that since it is an oil it can be a bit messy to apply.

Best Prevention Cream: Body Merry’s Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream

As with most things in life, when it comes to stretch marks, sometimes it's what we do to our skin before the marks appear that can help keep them at bay. Body Merry’s Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream is a great option for those pregnant mamas hoping to avoid the stretch mark scene altogether.

This body butter will also help reduce stretch marks if you already have them, but its star power is in preventing those pesky marks from appearing in the first place. It works by firming and moisturizing your skin with a customized blend of high quality and natural ingredients, and it was formulated to deliver intense hydration and provide protection to help smooth rough skin and marks, as well as provide your hard-working skin with a little relief.

The formula is gentle while still being powerful, and the rich texture cream spreads quickly and easily, absorbing in seconds so you can get on with your day. If you’re looking for a body butter chock full of vitamins and antioxidants, this one has ‘em all, from vitamins E, C, B3 and B5 to plant stem cells, seaweed, and rich oils. As an added bonus it is cruelty-free and safe for every skin type.

Best During Pregnancy: Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy

When you’re pregnant, there are a lot of warnings about what you should and shouldn’t eat, drink, and put on your body, so you definitely want to stick with a brand you can trust when it comes to your skincare routine.

Mederma’s Stretch Marks Therapy cream helps prevent stretch marks and has been clinically tested as safe to use during pregnancy, starting in the second trimester. The product is a paraben-free, nourishing cream formula that combines a unique blend of ingredients including cephalin (a proprietary botanical extract), hyaluronic acid, and Centella Asiatica plant extract. This product can continue to be used during breastfeeding, as well.

Best Organic: Glow Organics Pure + Organic Belly Butter

Most stretch mark cream products for pregnancy and afterward use safe and healthy ingredients, but if you want to be extra cautious, Glow Organics Belly Butter cream is made with only natural, organic ingredients and is free of dyes, parabens, synthetics, phthalates, sulfates, and artificial fragrances.

The cream reduces and prevents stretch marks and scars using 100 percent organic extracts like cocoa butter, shea butter, macadamia nut, and almond oil, among others, which are a perfect match for any skin type. Vegan and cruelty-free, this product is a must-try for organic-loving moms.

Best Massage: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks

For something sensual and hard working, check out Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks. Another Amazon’s Choice product, this crowd favorite is made with a special skin-strengthening formula that’s safe for all skin types and has the results to back it up. Let the vitamin E work its magic while you enjoy a massage that smells great, thanks to shea butter and cocoa extracts.

What to Look for in a Stretch Mark Cream for Pregnancy

Ingredients: Before you buy a stretch mark cream, take a close look at its ingredients to ensure that it doesn’t contain potentially harmful chemicals like phthalates and parabens. The good news? Many creams utilize natural ingredients and are chemical free. Also be aware that a stretch mark cream’s ingredients will affect its smell. (There are also unscented options.)

Effectiveness: Every woman’s skin is different, so various creams may be more effective for some women than others. Certain creams are designed to fade existing stretch marks, while others promise to keep new ones from forming. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees but many show promising results.

Price: Stretch mark creams run the gamut from relatively affordable to pricey. A more expensive cream isn’t necessarily more effective, though, so make sure you compare ingredients and read reviews before you spend your hard-earned money.