Doctors suggest avoiding possibly harmful ingredients while you're pregnant -- even if the research is inconclusive. Parabens and phthalates top the list since they have been linked to everything from breast cancer to diabetes. Look for products with natural ingredients like this one from Mustela (as well as the other ones we included in this roundup).
According to Mustela's research, the avocado peptides in this stretch mark cream can help stimulate collagen production by 60 percent. It also contains an ingredient derived from the Larch tree that minimizes inflammation. Of course you can't just buy a tube and slather some on every now and then -- Mustela recommends massaging it in circular motions two to three times a day.
We love this one because it's packed with more good-for-your-skin ingredients than any other stretch mark cream on the market. From peptides to fruit extracts to algae, it's got everything you could possibly think to include. And clinical tests are promising: They show a 70 percent reduction in marks. The downside, obviously, is the price. But if you want to cover all of your bases, and don't mind splurging, give it a try.
While it's not technically a cream, this stretch mark oil is fantastic nonetheless. It's a blend of almond and wheat germ oils, which come from a biodynamic (pesticide-free) farm. Frank recommends massaging with vitamin E oil, and this one has loads of it -- plus other ingredients for added benefits. It has a high percentage of vitamins A and C, as well as organic arnica flower, which feels warm and soothing when you put it on.
If you're looking for a simple, organic, affordable stretch mark cream, here it is. It's made with aloe and shea butter for maximum hydration, and it contains sea buckthorn oil, which is used to heal wounds -- perfect for stretch marks since they are essentially scar tissue.
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Post-pregnancy: prescription-strength retinoids
Even if you're past the point of preventative measures, all hope isn't lost. "The best thing is to treat stretch marks when they're new -- and when they're new they're red," explains Frank. "The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to treat them." If you have new (or new-ish) stretch marks, Frank recommends a prescription-strength retinoid cream like retin-A, which will speed up your skin's cell turnover rate to reveal new, stretch-mark-free skin. Just remember: Doctors do not suggest using retinoids of any kind while you're pregnant, so this plan of action is strictly for the post-partum set.
Having a baby is said to be a beautiful experience. People talk of the pregnancy glow, and the gossip mags display pics of celebs� perfect bowling-ball bellies while on their way to pre-natal yoga classes.
Meanwhile, anyone who's ever really been pregnant -- or had an honest pregnant friend, or even seen the movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting" -- knows all that sunshine and lollipop stuff is basically a load of crap. Most women don't feel their prettiest when they�re preggers. To wit: Most pregnant women suffer from problems like hair loss, melasma, breakouts, and broken blood vessels. And that bowling-ball-sized-or-bigger belly expansion likely means one thing: stretch marks.
If you're thinking, "Meh, I have good genes, I won't get stretch marks," we have some bad news for ya: "There's no way to predict whether you're going to get stretch marks," says New York City cosmetic dermatologist and founder of 5th Avenue Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center, Paul Frank, MD. "Stretch marks generally don't even appear until the end of the third trimester." Fortunately, there's also some good news: Stretch marks can be avoided -- but you have to act early.
The research and development team at Mustela (makers of one of our favorite stretch mark creams, included here) suggests starting to use a stretch mark cream at the first signs of pregnancy until at least one month after you give birth. If you choose the right one, it should be perfectly safe for both you and your baby. (You'll find out what we like about each stretch mark cream as you read on.)
While there are tons of stretch mark creams on the market, most dermatologists and aestheticians agree that it's less about which one you choose and more about the way you use it. "During pregnancy, I recommend using natural oils to massage the skin," says New York City aesthetician Cecelia Wong. "The oils will strengthen and nourish the skin while promoting circulation." And Frank agrees. "I tell pregnant women to massage the skin every day," he says. "And avoid the sun -- stretching tissue is like a scar; sun exposure will only make it worse."
As with all things during pregnancy, check with your doctor before you do anything. But once you get the green light, choose one of the best stretch mark creams (or your favorite oil) and start massaging like crazy. Or, better yet, have someone else do it for you -- maybe you'll feel so pampered that you might even get that sought after glow.
