Best Products to Help Minimize Stretch Marks

Stretch marks: They’re a sign of the hard work your body puts in throughout the nine months it takes you to grow another human. Caused by tiny tears in the layers of tissue supporting your skin, stretch marks can pop up during or after pregnancy.

No matter what you think of pregnancy-related stretch marks — if you wear them proudly or would prefer to minimize them — you're in good company if you have them. Many moms-to-be develop stretch marks, which can appear on the belly, butt, thighs, hips or breasts and appear pink, red, yellow, tan or sometimes purplish or brown.

These days, there are near-countless products on the market that promise to target stretch marks. And while there’s no proven way to prevent (or get rid of) stretch marks, there are some benefits to using creams, lotions and oils to keep skin moisturized throughout pregnancy.

Does stretch mark cream really work?

There is no miracle cure for stretch marks. Whether or not you get stretch marks has a lot to do with genetics, so topical creams and lotions have a very limited role in prevention, says Julie K. Karen, M.D., a dermatologist at CompleteSkinMD in New York.

That said, “while there is no solid evidence that over-the-counter creams improve the appearance of stretch marks in any statistically significant way, it certainly doesn't hurt to moisturize the skin when it is being distended so much over a short period of time,” says Julia Tzu, M.D., founder and medical director of Wall Street Dermatology. “Moisturizing the skin during pregnancy helps the skin deal with this stressful transition.” And keeping skin moisturized may promote skin elasticity (although, again, genetics play a role), which might help minimize your odds of getting stretch marks.

What to look for when choosing a pregnancy stretch mark cream

It bears repeating that there isn’t a lot of evidence showing that creams and oils are effective in preventing or treating stretch marks. But if you’re still looking to do what you can to minimize the appearance of them (or if you simply want to keep your skin moisturized during pregnancy), keep the below doctor-recommended tips in mind when picking out a product.

• Pick a hypoallergenic option. If you have sensitive skin, a product that is hypoallergenic won’t have ingredients such as fragrances, dyes and essential oils that might cause irritation or even allergic reactions, says Dr. Tzu.

• Look for hydrating ingredients. Keeping skin hydrated and as healthy as possible during the pregnancy may minimize the risk of developing stretch marks, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. And humectants such as glycerin can be extremely effective at keeping skin moisturized and improving skin elasticity, says Dr. Karen. Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are also terrific moisturizing ingredients.

• Opt for ingredients that combat irritation. Ingredients such as shea butter and cocoa butter can calm irritated skin while it stretches, says Dr. Karen

• Finally, know which ingredients to avoid. Certain skincare ingredients should be avoided during pregnancy, including retinoids, retinols and tretinoin or vitamin A.

How we chose the best stretch mark creams

We used the above guidelines recommended by dermatologists and cross-referenced that against the creams, lotions and oils that members of the What to Expect community, as well as our editors, have tried and loved. The result: A list of great skincare products designed for stretch mark treatment and prevention, all of which are sure to keep skin moisturized and hydrated during pregnancy.