The 6 Best Stretch Mark Creams for Pregnancy of 2021

What to Look for in a Stretch Mark Cream for Pregnancy

Ingredients 

When it comes to buying a stretch mark cream, one ingredient to look out for is hyaluronic acid as it can make stretch marks appear less noticeable. However, it’s important to check ingredients because some are not advised to use during pregnancy, like tretinoin or retinol. Moreover, ingredients like nutrient-rich butter and oils can help keep skin moisturized as it stretches throughout pregnancy.

"Ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, thick moisturizers, and balms can help with trapping moisture," Dr. Badreshia-Bansal tells Verywell Family.

Skin Type

"Stretch marks are called striae, which are in rested scars under the skin. Hence, they are difficult to treat," says Dr. Badreshia-Bansal. "They pop up when the skin stretches quickly (think during pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss, and puberty) and initially have a purple, pink, or red hue, gradually fading to more of a skin-toned color. With time, stretch marks will improve."

So, even though over time stretch marks will improve, you'll want to keep in mind your own skin type when out shopping for a stretch mark cream. If you have sensitive skin, you'll more than likely want to avoid any creams with artificial ingredients and fragrances. "Stick with fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products to avoid irritant or allergic reactions," Dr. Badreshia-Bansal tells Verywell Family. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, a balm or cream may benefit you more than a lotion. 

Cost 

Stretch mark creams are often applied more than once a day, so consider the cost and how often you might need to buy them. To help make sure you’re getting the most out of your money, determine the cost of the cream per ounce. You can do this by taking the cost of the cream and dividing it by the number of fluid ounces.

Stretch mark creams are difficult to treat, so aside from the cost of cream, you may be thinking of an office treatment after you've delivered which is another cost you might want to consider. Office treatments will more than likely be more expensive than an OTC cream but do have a noticeable effect on stretch marks.

"[Stretch marks] usually start off as a red thin widening linear streaks in the skin that eventually fade to a silvery depigmented, almost scar-like effect," says Dr. Janet Allenby, ​Board Certified Dermatologist and RealSelf Advisory Board member. "They have been very difficult to treat to 100 percent resolution in a medical office, let alone. Office procedures to reduce the appearance, from lasers, radio frequency treatments, combined with topical products, are still the best way to reduce the appearance."

FAQs

When do I start using stretch mark creams during pregnancy?

You can use them as early as you want, in fact, the earlier the better, because even if your skin isn’t stretching yet, the creams will still provide your skin with hydration. That being said, when you move into maternity pants and your belly is starting to show, that’s a good time to start using the cream to support your skin as it stretches out. 

"Stretch marks happen from the sudden weight or volume changes and are not really improved with the more common OTC regimen of a cocoa butter like product that has been touted as preventative," says Dr. Allenby.

Do stretch mark creams actually work?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stretch mark creams are only effective on new marks, not “mature” ones. So, you need to be proactive about putting the cream on during pregnancy rather than waiting until after you’ve had the baby and your marks are more visible. They also note that results are not immediate, and can take weeks to appear. 

"Creams for stretch marks target skin laxity, color abnormalities and tissue brilliance," explains Dr. Allenby. "The thinned skin and abnormal coloring are addressed through skin care products that normalize and signal skin cell in turnover and surface smoothness and radiance using retinoids acids, fruit-based acids, growth factors, and creams used to treat cellulite."

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Cheryl Lock is a Denver-based writer with expertise in parenting and family content. She uses both personal and professional experience in sourcing the best products. Key considerations she used when writing this include efficacy, price, and user reviews.

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of parenting products, including stretch mark creams for pregnancy and postpartum.