I’m now 29 weeks along in my pregnancy (third trimester!) and I’m due Aug 24th. This will be my second child, but my first boy, so I’m pretty excited.
I went to see my midwife last night for my monthly appointment and both my midwife and the attending trainee commented on how fabulous my tummy looks. They said most of their clients come in with loads of stretch marks, or at the very least, super dry skin. “Your belly looks great! What products are you using to prevent stretch marks?” she asked.
I told her that I am using several different products in a rotation this time around. With my first pregnancy, I only used shea and cocoa butter and I was spared stretch marks on my belly, but I got them everywhere else… Butt, thighs (front and back), hips and waist line. They were very red and very deep.
I was determined to make sure I didn’t miss those areas this time and kept my belly well lubricated again so I wouldn’t get any new stretch marks.
I’ve been using Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy on my thighs and hips consistently for about 3 months now. I’m amazed at how my stretch marks are lighter, smoother and not nearly as visible. I’ll actually wear a bikini bathing suit bottom without running from the towel to the pool before being spotted!!
On my belly, at least twice daily, I’ve been using the following products:
Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter
This thick, rich body butter is chock-full of omegas and shea butter with wheat germ and borage oils to keep stretching skin hydrated and elastic. It quickly soaks into thirsty skin and relieves itchy belly syndrome. Use it twice daily as the belly grows and for 4 months after delivery to help regain skin tone as the tummy shrinks away.
I love ALL Mama Mio products and this one is no exception. The consistency is thick, but melts as soon as it hits your skin so you can massage it into your skin. I use this one all over my belly as well as wrapping around back onto my hips and love handles. This is my favorite tummy butter and believe me, I’ve tried LOTS!
Price: $35.00
Where: Amazon.com
Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil
Protection against stretch marks, 100% moisture and natural goodness, full of Omega 3, 6 and 9 – but it isn’t at all oily? Weird but true! Your thirsty skin immediately soaks up Tummy Rub Oil leaving it super soft with a protective sheen.
After 15 years of trials, Mama Mio definitely knows that this is the best stretch mark protection oil they can make. So it is no surprise to us that it has won a lot of awards and has been the subject of countless emails of thanks. I love using it because it smells great, for some reason it isn’t oily and soaks into skin quickly, gets rid of the infamous scratchy belly syndrome too. It’s one of my favorite stretch mark preventing belly oils!
Price: $35.00
Where: Amazon.com
Mustela Stretch Marks Intensive Action
This one is said to help reduce size, depth and color of stretch marks, remodel skin support fibers (collagen and elastin) which have been affected by tissue distension, with the Elastoregulator®, Lupeol and a stimulating peptide. It’s also supposed to actively stimulate the skin cells and favors tissue regeneration, with AHA, silicium and vitamin B5.
And it may be used during breast-feeding (follow proper hygiene rules before breast fee
ding). Right now I’m using this one mostly on the underside of my belly to prevent stretch marks, though it’s primary function is to treat existing stretch marks. It’s a thick creamy serum that massages in really nicely and keeps skin moisturized for a long time. I think it’s similar in function to the Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy but a smaller container and thicker consistency. I haven’t used it long enough to determine if it “works” or not, but as a moisturizer, it’s quite nice!
Price: $39.00
Where: Amazon.com
Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch Oil
Gwyneth Paltrow, who started going green when she had children, reportedly turned to Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Natural Stretch Oil during her pregnancies with kids Apple and Moses to prevent stretch marks from forming.
The oil is light, absorbs easily, and is hypoallergenic. The Stretch Oil formula relies on healing calendula, calming chamomile, Vitamin E, and borage and neroli oils to keep skin looking good and stretch mark-free. It’s lovely as a bath oil and perfect for perineal massage to help avoid tears and episiotomies during natural childbirth.
This oil is definitely oily but skin drinks this up quick. I love the smell and I love that it’s super natural as well. This is an affordable option for all moms to be that are looking for a good oil to slather on their growing bellies!
Price: 19.95
Where: Amazon.com
Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Souffle
This pregnancy has been totally different for me and one thing I’ve been totally addicted to is grapefruit. I eat grapefruit all day long, I drink grapefruit juice and grapefruit soda, I use grapefruit body mist, grapefruit lip balm, grapefruit body wash and of course, Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit body souffle
.
They aren’t joking around when they calls this a souffle. It’s the most heavenly body cream I’ve ever used. Thick, sumptuous, divine. I slather this all over my pregnant belly as well as hips, thighs, legs, butt, back and arms. It smells so incredibly good that I wish they made fabric softener too so I could make my sheets smell like this. It comes in a huge jar, so this will last you a long time too!
Price: $27.50
Where: Origins.com and Beauty.com
All the products in this article are believed to be pregnancy safe and contain only natural ingredients and products. Please check with your midwife or health care provider if you are concerned about any particular ingredients.
* Some products in this article were provided to us free of charge for the purpose or product testing and review. This does not effect our opinion of the products in any way. We only write about products we personally like and use, regardless of how they were acquired.
I am so excited to see all of these products for women dealing with “the dreaded stretch mark”. When I was pregnant (years ago), there weren’t many products available that were developed specifically for stretch marks so I relied mostly on cocoa butter and shea butter. Thanks for letting people know they have options for preventing stretch marks! Happy Pregnancy to you too!
Hi, there are various treatment, creams and oils available to take care of stretch marks. Bio-Oil is considered to be very effective in the process of prevention or in assisting in the process of restoration after the fact. Bio-Oil is highly effective in helping to improve the appearance of existing stretch marks. Bio-Oil helps to increase the elasticity of the skin, thereby the possibility of new stretch marks forming is reduced. Bio-Oil should be massaged in a circular motion into the stretch marks and surrounding skin, twice daily, for a minimum of 3 months.
I’ve had stretch marks for years, and only recently did I finally take action and get rid of them using a lot of the tips in this article. Thanks!
– Susan