Stretch mark cream recommendations?!

thecubiclee · August 2015

I'm looking for a good stretch mark cream! I've been told vitamin E oil and coco butter. But I want advice on what other mommies have used and had success with! (If there's previous boards on the subject I couldn't find it)

ecswim2fast · August 2015

Pure shea butter. Worked for me, no stretch marks. It has to be pure, just take a little and work it between your hands and rub it everywhere!

Everycol0r · August 2015

thecubiclee said:
"Personally", I think a lot of the women on here are rude. I don't find it tacky or uncalled for to have a baby shower for your fourth. It's about welcoming a new life into this world. And who doesn't love shopping for babies? And it's thoughtful of you to prefer cheaper, gently used baby items. I don't know quite how you would word that, but I would directly tell them. But I'm close to everyone who would even be coming to my baby shower. I didn't plan on posting anything since I don't have any advice to offer but these rude, unthoughtful women just got under my skin.

Yes, how can these "rude and unthoughtful" women help assist you?

thecubiclee · August 2015

You can't. Thank you though.

Danni7535 · August 2015

I think you either well get them our you won't. Last pregnancy I didn't use anything, and I didn't get any stretch marks (neither did my mom or sister).

MsRellieB · August 2015

Pure Shea butter

cataleya82 · August 2015

I don't think anything can prevent them. Try not to gain a huge amount of weight, that might help a little. You either get them or you don't, it's really not that big of a deal anyways.

Tara0604 · August 2015

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure they have a genetic link. If that's incorrect, I used baby oil after every shower before drying off.

BostonBaby1 · August 2015

*lurker here

Stretch marks are genetic. There is a slight factor that influences them based upon how much weight you gain and otherwise, moisturizing is just going to help you in terms of itching. You can use an oil (you can try a natural oil like organic sweet almond, grapeseed oil, etc.) and then follow up with Shea butter. Moisturize your belly, breasts, thighs, love handles and hips. Please don't put vitamin E directly onto your skin. Vitamin E in it's pure form can be extraordinarily harsh. In all likelihood you will wind up with contact dermatitis and it won't be pretty. If you wind up getting terrible stretch marks, there are laser procedures that can be done after you are done with your pregnancy to help reduce the appearance.

But apparently, none of us rude & unthoughtful women can help you.

PinkSunglasses16 · August 2015

I don't agree with genetics. My mother has many many stretch marks, her mother did not get any and i ended up with not a one. I used Palmers cocoa butter for DD. I gained 30lbs and am a petite person. I believe if you keep your skin hydrated giving it more elasticity it will help, but may not prevent 100%

meg_2006 · August 2015

Agree with PPs, it's genetic. But just about everyone will get annoying, itchy skin. Find a thick cream. Creams come in tubs, lotions come in tubes and pumps. Pat dry when you get out of the shower and apply immediately. Then use whenever you feel you need to. I know it's not very natural and is loaded with chemicals, but I've always used Cetaphil. It's the only thing that works for me and it doesn't feel greasy for the rest of the day.

skruhmin · August 2015

My I've got my tiger stripes from 2 babies already, you really can't help them. You can help the extremely itchy skin though. I make my own body butter with shea butter, coconut oil, and almond oil.

diablesse · August 2015

PinkSunglasses16 said:

I don't agree with genetics. My mother has many many stretch marks, her mother did not get any and i ended up with not a one. I used Palmers cocoa butter for DD. I gained 30lbs and am a petite person. I believe if you keep your skin hydrated giving it more elasticity it will help, but may not prevent 100%

Just because your mother and maternal grandmother didn't get any, it doesn't mean the "no stretch mark" genes aren't lurking in there somewhere. Did you check with your paternal aunts or paternal grandmother?

I was lucky and didn't get any but I used Bio Oil and cocoa butter just in case.

PinkSunglasses16 · August 2015

diablesse said:

PinkSunglasses16 said:

I don't agree with genetics. My mother has many many stretch marks, her mother did not get any and i ended up with not a one. I used Palmers cocoa butter for DD. I gained 30lbs and am a petite person. I believe if you keep your skin hydrated giving it more elasticity it will help, but may not prevent 100%

Just because your mother and maternal grandmother didn't get any, it doesn't mean the "no stretch mark" genes aren't lurking in there somewhere. Did you check with your paternal aunts or paternal grandmother?

I was lucky and didn't get any but I used Bio Oil and cocoa butter just in case.

Actually what i said was, my mother DID get stretch marks but my grandmother did not, nor did I with my first pregnancy. I simply gave my opinion of what worked for me and my opinion on the matter in general.

maelic · August 2015

You're currently playing the stretch mark lottery, congratulations! They'll either happen or they won't, might as well stop worrying about it.

diablesse · August 2015

PinkSunglasses16 said:

diablesse said:

PinkSunglasses16 said:

I don't agree with genetics. My mother has many many stretch marks, her mother did not get any and i ended up with not a one. I used Palmers cocoa butter for DD. I gained 30lbs and am a petite person. I believe if you keep your skin hydrated giving it more elasticity it will help, but may not prevent 100%

Just because your mother and maternal grandmother didn't get any, it doesn't mean the "no stretch mark" genes aren't lurking in there somewhere. Did you check with your paternal aunts or paternal grandmother?

I was lucky and didn't get any but I used Bio Oil and cocoa butter just in case.

Actually what i said was, my mother DID get stretch marks but my grandmother did not, nor did I with my first pregnancy. I simply gave my opinion of what worked for me and my opinion on the matter in general.

Sorry...you're right, I did swap who got what, but the general argument stands.
You probably got lucky with the "no stretch mark" gene. You don't automatically get what your mother has. We'd have to break it down into dominant and recessive alleles etc and I confess that i don't know that much about the genes for stretch marks. I just know that I've seen several papers showing that stretch marks are genetic and no amount of moisturizer will help you if you're going to get them. Science usually wins.

mrsmtothek · August 2015

Even if its something I can't prevent, I prefer to err on the side of caution and bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DM14TYC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

I figure why not. Can't hurt!

Latina211508 · August 2015

I'm pregnant with my fourth and I don't have any stretch marks. Genetics do play a big role. I personally did not use any creams or oils. But I heard bio oil worked very well.

SarahJean1014 · August 2015

I purchased the Belli Bump Duo after seeing it recommended on a few blogs I read. Hopefully genetics will be on my side but if not I figure at least I will be well moisturized.

A+BinNYC · August 2015

No stretch marks here after 2 kiddos and I used absolutely no lotion/oil/etc. Also, my skin never got itchy either. Guess I got very lucky!

tokyohouston · August 2015

I'm not sure I'll be able to avoid them with twins in here! Hm, we'll see. I'm rubbing shea butter on my stomach just in case, and hoping for the best!

alismiya · August 2015

I just started using Organic Belly Balm by Honest Company. It helps with the itchiness and it doesn't have a scent which I prefer since I've been really sensitive to certain aromas.

BostonBaby1 · August 2015

PinkSunglasses16 said:
I don't agree with genetics. My mother has many many stretch marks, her mother did not get any and i ended up with not a one. I used Palmers cocoa butter for DD. I gained 30lbs and am a petite person. I believe if you keep your skin hydrated giving it more elasticity it will help, but may not prevent 100%

You are welcome to believe in whatever you would like to. I would suggest that you consult a dermatologist for confirmation that stretch marks are indeed genetic.

thecubiclee · August 2015

Thank you ladies! It's definitely in my genetics if that's the case, I started getting stretch marks during puberty. Just don't want them to get any worse during pregnancy. But if that's the price I have to pay for a healthy baby, then I'll take it. Will definitely invest in some Shea butter though.

Jessimuca · August 2015

I used one by Burt's Bees with my first pregnancy (Mama Bee?) an it seemed to work for my belly. Sadly, Igt stretch marks my boobs and butt which have faded a bit, not sure if it's because I failed to use the Burt's on those areas or not.

smushi · August 2015

I don't know about stretch marks but I loved my cocoa butter bar my sister got me from Biggs and Featherbelle. It was excellent to rub all over my tummy and kept me from being so dang itchy. Especially if you don't mind smelling like m&ms all day.

PrimRoseMama · August 2015

I hate to tell you but you can get stretch marks after you deliver. Genetics plays a huge role in the quality of your skin elasticity. This applies to wrinkles & aging as well.

#science

mb0112 · August 2015

As a first time mom, I believe it is science and genetics.... but that won't stop me from trying a cream to prevent stretch marks as much as possible, even if it's just to trick myself into thinking I did everything I could! Knowing it might not make much/any difference, I'd like to find an affordable one that seems to have high quality ingredients. May give the Burt's Bees one a try, mostly cuz Burt was a cool character!

merojas81 · August 2015

I think Palmers cocoa butter lotion is the best out there. I also like belly balm from the honest company. I haven't gotten any stretch marks with my two previous pregnancies. I did use a lot of lotion though. My doctor did tell me there was a large genetic component and that if the women in my family has gotten them, more than likely so would I. The hormonal changes in pregnancy are what contribute to stretch marks. They make the collagen and elastin tear when skin is stretched. Good luck!

GMomma777 · August 2015

Frankincense oil! Diluted.

mommytobe2122 · August 2015

@thecubiclee I just made a research about this, palmers coca butter, mama mio tummy rub, lierac phytolastil, mama bee by burt's bees.. Any idea when is the best time to start using? Some says 12 w some says 8 w some says 16 w confused here..

thecubiclee · August 2015

mommytobe2122 said:
@thecubiclee I just made a research about this, palmers coca butter, mama mio tummy rub, lierac phytolastil, mama bee by burt's bees.. Any idea when is the best time to start using? Some says 12 w some says 8 w some says 16 w confused here..

I don't plan on starting to use until I notice a bump. Probably around 16 weeks.

yodapup · August 2015

I started using the burts bees belly cream last time when my belly started itching. Maybe that was around 16 weeks? I can't really remember. I already bought a tub this time around but haven't used any yet. I'm just waiting for the itching to start using again.