They come in all different shapes and sizes and appear when you’re least expecting it. I’m talking about stretch marks – the badge of honour that says ‘I grew a baby’.
I was lucky in that I escaped relatively unscathed through both my pregnancies (I slapped on all the lotions and tonics I could get my hands on – anything to take away the dreaded itching!) and was left with just little silvery lines on the tops of my legs, which I actually suspect is more to do with weight change over the years than anything to do with growing babies.
But however you got them, what can you do about them? There’s all manner of creams, oils and ointments claiming to prevent and remove them, with all manner of price tags, so how do you know which are the best creams for stretch marks?
Just after Little B was born Made For Mums asked me to put three to the test, then at the end of the year Palmer’s sent me their new spray lotion to try out, so I thought now – with winter in full swing and plenty of time left to get beach ready for the summer – would be a good time to compile a list of my top three:
1. Bepanthen Stretch Mark Cream – £24.99 (150ml)
This stuff is excellent – it smells gorgeous, makes your skin feel instantly soft and lasts for hours. The cream absorbs quickly and easily and my post-birth tummy – not to mention my legs, arms and shoulders – all felt pampered thanks to ingredients including extract of centella asiatica (a tropical plant which apparently stimulates collagen production), provitamin B5 and olive oil. Even at £24.99 (shop around though, especially online) I think this cream is excellent value and I would continue to use it as a body cream as well as part of a pre and post baby beauty routine. It comes with an air-powered pump at the top so it’s easy to use and store, and you can’t inadvertently waste any by squirting too much out.
2. Palmer’s Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks – £3.15 (250ml)
I absolutely love this stuff and use it all over my body, pregnant or not. The thick consistency of the cocoa butter lotion makes you feel like you’re actually applying something that’s going to work, and although it does take a while to absorb into the skin – I’d give it five minutes before getting dressed afterwards – it keeps your skin well hydrated and nourished for hours. And it smells divine: just like chocolate! The cream comes with a handy nozzle so it’s easy to apply, and you’re not left with a greasy bottle from opening and closing afterwards. I’ve used this cream throughout both pregnancies and swear by it.
3. Palmer’s Spray Lotion for Stretch Marks – £6.99 (200g)
You can see a theme emerging here. Palmer’s really know what they’re doing when it comes to body lotion, and this one comes with all the vitamin E, collagen and elastin in a spray. It doesn’t smell quite as nice as the massage lotion which is why it’s my number three and not number two, but it’s lighter than the massage lotion and absorbs into the skin much more quickly thanks to Bio C-Elaste, a mix of oils including Argan and sweet almond. It’s got a really directional spray so you won’t inadvertently spray past your arm or leg and onto the duvet or floor, or you can do what I do and spray it into your hand and then apply.
I was sent Palmer’s Spray Lotion for Stretch Marks free of charge to try out for the purpose of review. As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.
Linking up with…
I am 39 weeks pregnant at the moment and over the past couple of weeks the dreaded stretch marks have shown up on the sides of my tummy. I have been using the Pregnacare stretch cream but they still showed up! My husband loves them as he said you are growing a baby in there so it doesnt matter. I think I might pop out and get some of the Palmers lotion, not sure what it will do now that they have appeared! xx
#PicknMix
I’ve found the creams can really make stretch marks fade – the main thing at this stage is for you to keep your skin nice and moisturised and supple, so slap it on! The good thing about Palmer’s too is that it’s so cheap – good luck!!x
I suffer with really bad stretch marks on my belly and have a new product to review over the next few weeks. The things that women have to go through and suffer with…men have no idea. I do love palmers lotions though, they are definitely my favourite products 🙂 #picknmix
I’ll be interested to see which one you’re reviewing! The good thing is there are so many now everyone can find one that works for themx
I’ve used mama mio during this pregnancy and no new stretch at all. In the last 2 pregnancies I didn’t bother with creams much at all and had a bunch of stretch marks. Would definitely recommend #picknmix
I LOVE mama mio – I used the tummy rub oil when I was expecting Little B and that really relieved the itching x
I loved the Bepanthem stretch mark cream, it smells gorgeous. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix
The smell of Bepanthen is nostalgic now as it really reminds me of when Little B was newborn!
I really like the Palmers products, I used them too and found them great.
I love that they smell so nice!
I’m all about the Bio Oil but then I only made it to 34 weeks so that might have more to do with the lack of stretch marks than the potions and lotions!!
I’m not madly keen on Bio Oil – it’s the smell I’m not so sure of…
Moisturising really is the key you’re right and most things look better moisturised in my opinion! That includes keeping yourself hydrated too as dry skin makes stretchmarks seem deeper and more obvious in my experience.
Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix
Stevie x x
The same can be said for my face!!