Stretch marks are completely normal. If you’re pregnant, there’s a strong chance you’ll develop them along the way, with 8 out of 10 women reporting stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks are streak-like lines that can appear pink, white, red, purple, or brown, depending on your skin tone and condition. Whether you want to know how to prevent pregnancy stretch marks or discover the best stretch marks treatment for after pregnancy, we’ve got all the best pregnancy-safe products for you to use to keep up with your body and skin changes.
When Does Your Body Start Changing in Pregnancy, and How Does Your Body Change During Pregnancy?
A woman’s body changes a great deal during pregnancy—and we aren’t talking only about that bump! You’ll even start to notice body changes in the first trimester. People might start pointing out that legendary pregnancy glow: a rosy, radiant look to your skin caused by increased blood circulation. You may also notice an oilier complexion and a flare-up of acne due to hormones. And pigmentation can be caused by increasingly visible veins and blood vessels during pregnancy.
Why Do Stretch Marks Appear During Pregnancy?
Stretch marks occur when your skin is stretched and the middle layer of skin breaks. These marks commonly appear during the fast growth of puberty and when putting on weight, whether during pregnancy or otherwise. Stretch marks usually form on the stomach, upper thighs, and breasts but can appear anywhere the skin is stretched. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also affect your skin, making you more prone to getting stretch marks.
When Do Stretch Marks Appear During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, you may or may not get stretch marks. It depends on the elasticity of your skin. However, the majority of women do get stretch marks, which start off as itchy areas where the skin becomes thinner and forms scars. Marks can appear at any stage of pregnancy, and how they show up differs from woman to woman.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?
If you want to know how to prevent pregnancy stretch marks, you’re already ahead of the game by being aware that they can occur. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with stretch marks however there is also nothing wrong with wanting to reduce the appearance of them. The key to staying stretch mark-free is to take action to prevent their formation in the first place. Hydrated skin has greater elasticity than dry skin so will expand more easily without showing stretch marks. Some people naturally have more elastic skin than others. A great way to minimise stretch marks is to keep skin hydrated so it has more natural stretch.
Moisturising is a must-have for your pregnancy skincare routine, and that means from head to toe! We recommend applying body creams, lotions, and oils daily if you want to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
What Are the Best Creams and Oils for Treating Stretch Marks?
Whether you’re looking for the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy or a nourishing oil, we’ve got you covered. We carry a variety of hydrating body care must-haves that are gentle and soothing on the skin, perfect for a pregnancy safe skin care routine.
Body oils are great, as the oil formula penetrates the skin deeply to ensure maximum hydration and nourishment. A good pregnancy stretch mark oil will not only minimise pigmentation and scarring but also will keep skin feeling elastic and hydrated to enhance that gorgeous pregnancy glow.
We always recommend that you consult with your doctor or healthcare professional if you are unsure about any products or ingredients
Our Top Body Oil Recommendations for Stretch Marks:
Dr Hauschka Blackthorn Toning Body Oil 75ml
Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil
If you have naturally dry skin, we recommend a rich, emollient cream or lotion to soothe and protect skin while imparting a long-lasting moisture boost.
Our Top Pregnancy Stretch Marks Creams:
Clarins Stretch Mark Minimiser
If you want natural ways to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy, we recommend staying hydrated with plenty of water. Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of foods rich in vitamin C and zinc can prevent stretch marks from forming too.
How to Apply Stretch Mark Creams and Oils During Pregnancy
Once you’re armed with the right products, it’s time to get moisturising. We always recommend moisturising twice a day: once in the morning and once before bedtime. Use gentle, circular motions to help products spread and absorb properly. It’s also best to apply stretch marks creams, lotions, and oils after a bath or shower when the skin is slightly damp. This technique allows for better absorption and maximum hydration of your chosen products.
How Do You Get Rid of Stretch Marks After Pregnancy?
Knowing how to help stretch marks after pregnancy is important if you want to minimise their appearance or even make them disappear altogether. Stretch marks will naturally fade over time, but with some of us, they stay for life. However, don’t worry: you can speed up the fading process using the right products.
We recommend using gentle exfoliators, which work to slough away dead skin cells and accelerate skin cell renewal—perfect for diminishing stretch marks.
The Best Exfoliators for Stretch Marks After Pregnancy:
Alpha-H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub
We also recommend nourishing lotions and creams to hydrate the skin and improve elasticity for brighter and clearer skin.
The Best Lotions for Stretch Marks After Pregnancy:
We always recommend that you consult with your doctor or healthcare professional if you are unsure about any products or ingredients
