Stretch marks are in reality scars. They appear when the skin is stretched beyond its rebounding capacity, exhausting the collagen levels in the affected area and leading to the skin breakage. Thus, good stretch mark creams focus on moisturizing and increasing the skin’s flexibility and elasticity but they should also contain ingredients that promote cicatrization.
The best stretch mark creams for reduction and prevention
Regardless of the stretch mark creams you choose, their efficiency will be directly linked to the cicatrization stage of the stretch marks. Red marks mean that the scar is still fresh and in the process of healing. This is the best moment to apply stretch mark creams.
When the stretch marks turn white, it means that the cicatrization is completed and the skin lost all its pigmentation in the affected area. Fully eliminating them is no longer possible, but the creams can still make them less noticeable by increasing the elasticity and firmness of the skin around them, while making it look plumper too.
Body Merry’s Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream
Although it promises to visibly reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks, this cream primarily focuses on their prevention.
The deeply moisturizing formula infuses the skin with all the right nutrients to ensure its elasticity and supple touch, thus increasing its rebound capability. It contains a wide variety of natural and organic ingredients renown for their moisturizing and nourishing properties, such as cocoa butter, Shea butter, vitamins E, C, B3 and B5, jojoba oil, avocado oil and Japanese green tea leaf extract, among many others.
Despite its body butter texture, it is easy to spread and quickly absorbed. It is also cruelty-free and suitable for every skin type.
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Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
This cream by Mederma focuses on prevention and reduction of existing stretch marks. Its formula contains hyaluronic acid that pulls the water to the skin cells, hydrating them and increasing their plumpness, and vitamin E that too helps moisturize and protect the skin.
These ingredients combined with a blend of other nourishing ingredients strength the skin to make it less prone to breakage.
As for the existing stretch marks, the Centella Asiatica in its formulation supports a more efficient and faster cicatrization, thus preventing the stretch mark from growing wider and longer.
As a downside, most users complain about the smell of this cream.
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Burts Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter Fragrance-Free Lotion
This cream by Burt’s Bees is marked for pregnant and new moms, but it can be used by anyone. The fact that they advertise it like that is just a reinforcement to show how safe the product is.
This product is 99% natural and it doesn’t have parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS. It also doesn’t have added fragrances, but it does smell to Shea butter due to its high concentration in the formula.
It is not intended to treat existing stretch marks, but rather to nourish and moisturize the skin deeply and with the right ingredients to equip it with the right tools to be able to bounce back without breaking.
If you have used this stretch mark cream before, be aware that the formula changed. Before, the key moisturizing ingredient was cocoa butter and the cream’s texture was also similar to butter. The new formula has a much lighter and watery texture and the key ingredient is now Shea butter.
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Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Butte
This cream by Mama Mio is intended for pregnant women to prevent stretch marks before they begin to appear.
The formula with vitamin E, fatty acids, avocado oil and antioxidants nourishes the skin, while the Shea butter creates a layer over it that locks in hydration and protects the skin from external factors that could potentially deplete its resources.
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Botanic Tree’s Stretch marks + Scars + Prevention (Triple action)
This cream by Botanic Tree is, in fact, a hybrid with its triple action. Unlike most stretch mark creams, it puts a bigger focus on reduction and elimination of existing stretch marks.
The key ingredient in this formula is the Centella Asiatica that supports scar healing and works to contract the tissues to reduce it. This ingredient is combined with organic cocoa butter, Shea butter, olive oil and moringa, among others, working together as preventives by nourishing the skin and increasing its elasticity capacity while leaving it smooth and beautiful.
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Understand stretch marks
Many people complain that stretch mark creams are ineffective because they don’t understand how these scars work. These are not simple imperfections, but rather scars, which are much harder to eliminate.
