Pregnancy hormones got you in a blender of severe itching, morning sickness, abdominal pains, and a baby belly with newly developed stretch marks? It’s too much all at once, but we can help with the stretch marks! Sister, we understand.
Skin after pregnancy changes. The skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. This makes the skin look dull and saggy. The skin is also affected by the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy. We have created a list of the 14 Best Lotions For Pregnant Bellies that will lessen the appearance of stretch marks and moisturize itchy skin. Keep on reading to find your favorite!
What is stretch marks?
Stretch marks can appear on your skin, which appear to be indented streaks or colored lines. They’re often caused by rapid muscle growth during infancy, pregnancy and rapid weight gain. A normal person may have a few or many, like some that appear at puberty, stretch marks can be caused by pregnancy, rapid weight gain, rapid weight loss, and growth spurts. The reason that stretch marks are common is because elastic fibers in our skin produce a gel-like substance that has the ability to heal itself.
One thing is quite clear that Stretch Marks are natural and common. They can easily fade away as well if we use stretch mark creams which are available so that the stretch marks can be kept at bay during pregnancy.
14 Best Lotions for Pregnant Bellies
1. Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
It may be true that you cannot get rid of them completely, but Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy shows you that you don’t have to live with them either. Its clinically tested formula also helps in preventing stretch marks and marked safe for using during pregnancy. This product is also free from parabens and has a quite an unique triple action formula which effectively combines a unique blend of ingredients.
These ingredients include cephalin, hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica plant extract. You can even use this product while breastfeeding as well. Its formula does penetrates well beneath the surface of skin and then moisturizes skin thereby renewing the cells which aid in collagen formation. It helps lock moisture into the skin for the prevention of stretch marks. It could be used during pregnancy, starting of the second trimester, childbirth, and even after birth.
Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
$27.53
2. Stretch Mark Vanishing Cream by Mommy Knows Best
This formulation has been demonstrated to visibly improve the depth of stretch marks, age spots, scars and blotchiness, and even skin discolorations, unlike other scar treatment and stretch mark removal treatments that claim to work. There has been a 50 percent improvement on average. The most resistant skin types are irritated and dried out by retinol. They changed the formula of their prenatal vitamin to eliminate retinol.
This cream has got premium ingredients which sink in deep into your skin and leaves your skin smooth and supple. And the ingredients include Vitamin E, Jojoba, and Mango fruit butter, Shea, Coco which are actually all natural ingredients make this cream work best. This cream will tine and tighten your skin and belly and would simply help in fading the existing scars, blemishes and dark marks. They also created their body butter since they wanted something better than what was currently available.
Stretch Mark Vanishing Cream by Mommy Knows Best
$25.97
3. Botanic Tree Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Cream
This is the best cream for pregnancy with 100% organic extracts of cocoa butter, shea butter, vitamin e, moringa, avocado, and aloe vera! Natural Cocoa and shea butter along with avocado and oliver oil will combine together to soften and moisturize your skin where as Moringa and Vitamin A would enhance collagen production. Along with this it also contains Vitamin E which is actually an anti-inflammatory agent and Vitamin B5 is also their which is good at healing our skin.
This Safe and Vegan belly cream contains hydrating cocoa butter which helps in prevention of stretch marks and improves skin-elasticity as your baby bump grows. Along with this it also lightens the residual stretch marks which come after pregnancy. They’ve created an anti-stretch mark cream specifically designed for pregnant women who want to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy. Maternity belly butter helps ease discomfort during pregnancy. It’s appropriate for people who have had considerable changes in their body shape. The brand also says that this cream removes 93% stretch marks in its users.
Botanic Tree Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Cream
$19.99
4. Body Merry Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream
This cream helps reduce and prevent stretch mark scarring by using our custom blend of natural oils and butter for an effective treatment. It provides intensive hydration and supplies security to help smoothen out rough skin/marks and relieve your skin. It’s a gentle and highly effective way to prevent keloid scarring, dark marks, stretch marks, or surgical scars after plastic surgeries such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, etc.
This cream would help in reducing stretch marks and also prevents those marks from reappearing. Along with this it also works by firming and moisturizing your skin. For this it has a blend of high quality ingredients which are specially formulated to give intense hydration and give protection to the rough skin and marks. Its formula is gentle yet powerful is loaded with vitamins. It contains vitamin c, e, b3+b5, plants stem cells, seaweed, and plenty of oil. Without any additional scents added, it’s possible to smell the rich cocoa and shea butter oils, giving yourself the luxurious spa treatment while regaining your self-confidence!
Body Merry Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream
5. Body Boost Milk & Honey Stretch Mark Butter
Stretch marks form when skin loses its elasticity due to aging, pregnancy, weight loss, etc., so vital collagen and elastin fiber production will help prevent them from forming and keep them at bay. This rich, creamy butter promotes elasticity and resiliency from the lower layers of skin. It contains Gotu Kola which is a plant ingredient along with Triterpenoids which is a natural compound that helps in strengthening core connective tissues which help in creating better skin resiliency. This whipped mix of gotu kola, jojoba, and shea strengthens collagen and elastin fibers for targeted stretch mark prevention and repair. It is also free from parabens, phenoxyethanol and any other synthetic colors and fragrances.
Body Boost Milk & Honey Stretch Mark Butter
$16.00
6. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Massage Cream helps improve skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of stretch marks after giving birth or when losing/gaining weight. It is super-hydrating lotion which is loved by many mamas-to-be out there and just goes simply smooth on the skin. Its formula has cocoa and shea butter along with Vitamin E and almond oil which would effectively hydrate your skin and give nice elasticity to it. This cream is also hypoallergenic and is also free from parabens and pathalates. This lotion focus formula is excellent for stretch marks, likely areas such as the tummy, thighs, hips, and bust. It also doubles as a body moisturizer that you can use everywhere.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks
7. Pregnancy Stretch Mark Cream by Little Bellies
It’s a moisturizer for daytime use, an overnight serum, and a facial cleanser. This cream is produced from natural ingredients, which means they’re not harmful to either you or your child. Stretch marks occur when the skin loses some of its elasticity and breaks down. The rapid stretching of the skin causes them. This skincare kit will instantly ease, fade, and finally stop all new stretch marks. They offer clients an instant solution for their skincare needs by providing them with a complete skincare kit that includes everything they need to eliminate unwanted signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, acne scars, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and more!
Pregnancy Stretch Mark Cream by Little Bellies
8. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
This new product from Burt’s Bees is great for moisturizing your skin both during and after your pregnancy. It is unscented, which some mommies to be would like. Formulated with 99% natural ingredients and free of phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), this product is a must-have for pregnant ladies. It contains moisturizing ingredients like shea, cocoa and jojoba butter. Along with this, it also has sunflower, sweet almonds and coconut oil which make it ideal for soothing sensitive skin. This cream would assist your skin to retain water which would eventually help you to bounce back after pregnancy. Along with this its formula is free from any fragrance and you can get good feel as your lather it on your skin during pregnancy.
Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
$27.99
9. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Dermatologists recommend using bio-oil because it’s clinically proven to prevent new scar formation and treat existing ones. It contains ingredients like Vitamin E, Chamomile, Rosemary, and Lavender Extracts, so it’ll help relieve inflammation and redness which would help in minimizing the appearance of dark spots and stretch marks. It isn’t greasy at all; instead, it has a refreshing fragrance! Bio Oil is a blend of oils that help add moisture to your skin and restore it throughout your pregnancy journey.
It helps tighten and stretch as your belly grows, and you will find that it has been a useful aid in restoration postpartum. Many of the users have suggested that this oil does make their skin smooth and radiant along with giving it proper hydration. Well the added benefit you get with this cream is that you can also use it on skin concerns like acne, blemishes and even scars.
10. Earth Mama Belly Butter
This lightweight body cream is specially formulated to give relieve from dry, itchy skin, making skin feel comfortable and moisturized without leaving a greasy residue. Its formula is also clinically tested against irritation making it ideal for people who have sensitive skin. This lush lotion is formulated with organic herbs and oils geared which primarily prevent stretch marks. It is also free from petroleum, parabens and does not contain any artificial fragrances.
These organic herbs and oils also encourages skin’s natural elasticity. It has a texture which gets easily absorbed by the skin leaving the skin soft and hydrated. Also it has natural delicious scent which would not aggravate your morning sickness. Some reviewers who are prone to eczema, rashes and breakouts say that they have found success with this cream, which has a light, refreshing scent reminiscent of a Creamsicle or fruity cereal.
11. Mustela Stretch Marks Cream
Paraben-free, phthalate-free, and phenoxyethanol-free, Mustela is dermatologically tested! Since it contains 96% plant-based ingredients, it’s not surprising that this product is EWG Approved. It has a special ingredient which is known as maracuja oil. This oil will help in improving the elasticity of skin. Along with this it also contains avocado oil and avocado peptides which would also keep your skin healthy and hydrated throughout your pregnancy. Also the brand does recommend using this cream right from the first month of your pregnancy.
It promises to leave you with smooth, soft skin by preventing wrinkles from forming, reducing the visibility of scars, and smoothing out fine lines and imperfections. It will also improve the elasticity of your skin and prevent stretch marks. Most expecting mothers say they like this product, but some warn that it still has a smell even though it says fragrance-free.
Mustela Maternity Stretch Marks Cream
12. Glow Organics Belly Butter
This organic skin butter is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetics, and artificial perfumes and is designed to prevent stretch marks and improve skin elasticity. It contains macadamia nut, shea, cocoa butter, grape seed, and sweet almond oil. These ingredients are actually natural which would create a light subtle scent for the mamas-to-be with sensitive noses. The butter in this cream would help in locking in the moisture which could treat irritated and dry skin. This cream is also unscented for the mummies who have a sensitive nose. The makers of this cream also say that you should melt it with your hands before applying it to your skin because of the thick, buttery consistency.
Belly Butter - 100% Organic by Glow Organics
13. Munchkin Milkmakers All-Natural Belly Balm
If you are not a fan of cream, then we have brought for you a velvety balm which is from the brand Munchkin. This balm is made from 100% natural ingredients which include shea butter, coconut oil which effectively combine together to soothe and nourish itchy skin and growing bellies. It actually comes in a twist stick dispenser which is completely recyclable and also allows the user with easy application. Many of the users like this unscented balm as it gets quickly absorb into the skin and do not leave a messy greasy residue on your skin. Along with this, mothers-to-be who have sensitive skin and are prone to eczema and dryness also haven seen significant improvement in their condition.
Munchkin Milkmakers AllNatural Belly Balm
14. Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Butter
If you run out of this rich cream, you may suffer some pretty severe withdrawals. It’s packed with shea butter, wheatgerm oil, sweet almond oil and borage oil. Shea butter and oils help moisturize skin, while Vitamin E acts as an anti-oxidant to prevent damage from stretch marks and free radicals! This cream also has a patented “Gravida” fragrance which consist of 10 pregnancy specific oils like bergamot, patchouli and vanilla which you can breathe in deeply into the aroma of this body butter helps relax muscles, making for better product penetration. Well if you don’t like this, the brand also offers a fragrance-free option which is specifically formulated for the ladies who have sensitive skin.
How to Choose Stretch Marks Cream
Stretch marks fade faster when you use prescription retinol, silicone, and hyaluronic acid together than if you use them separately. Silicone reduces friction between skin and clothing during exercise, helping to reduce the appearance of those pesky little bumps. Hyaluronic acid draws water into your skin cells; this process prevents dehydration. Retinol stimulates collagen production, which increases the firmness of your skin and improves circulation.
A good diet goes hand-in-hand with proper nutrition after pregnancy, so make sure you eat healthy meals regularly throughout your second trimester. You should also avoid foods with high amounts of salt, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and trans fat. Try to stick to one meal per day instead of having two or three small snacks each day. This way, you won’t overeat.
While all these things are helpful, there isn’t one solution that fits every person. If you’re worried about getting “the bump,” try using a mild exfoliating scrub instead of over-exfoliation (like sugar scrubs). Or keep your shower time short and limit yourself to only two pampering sessions per week. These approaches might make your body feel more relaxed and give birth to fewer stretch marks.
Preventing Stretch Marks
About 40% of women will have stretch marks after giving birth. These stretch marks occur when the uterine muscles are stretched due to pregnancy and childbirth or other conditions such as fibroids, edema and diabetes. Stretch marks during pregnancy are often the result of poor diet and lack of exercise. They can be very noticeable and uncomfortable, especially if they’re not treated properly or irritated by other medicines or foodstuffs.
However, these changes aren’t permanent; if you want to reduce your chances of having stretch marks during pregnancy, you should follow simple steps to prevent them from becoming more visible.
To reduce stretch marks, try the following:
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C (fresh fruits) instead of sugary ones.
- Reduce salt intake.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and stress.
- Exercise regularly.
- Use a good-quality moisturizer every day.
- Take zinc supplements.
- Apply a special lotion twice daily.
- Try a soothing bath every night.
- Use cotton underwear and clothing in the same color family.
- Keep your skin clean.
- Get regular prenatal checkups and seek professional medical advice regarding massage therapy.
- Choose clothes that fit comfortably!
🌟 Top FAQs on Lotions For Pregnant Bellies
When should you start moisturizing your belly when pregnant?
Start moisturizing the areas where stretch marks are most likely to appear—your tummy, lower back, breasts, and hips—as soon as your pregnancy test is positive.
How can I moisturize my pregnant belly?
It’s crucial to maintain the skin of your belly nourished, whether with a cream or oil because it can improve the elasticity and smoothness of your skin.
Is coconut oil good for a pregnant belly?
With coconut oil, morning sickness, heartburn, and constipation can all be relieved (three unpleasant pregnancy side effects). Others claim that regular rubbing the super-moisturizing oil on the tummy avoids stretch marks.
Can we apply body lotion to the stomach during pregnancy?
Shampoos, hair sprays, soaps, lotions, and deodorants are not harmful to a pregnant woman. These products are generally safe to use.
Do stretch mark creams work on old stretch marks?
Stretch mark creams may help reduce the appearance of old stretch marks, but any changes will be minor. Topical treatments and superficial exfoliation don’t have the depth or strength of action needed to repair damaged collagen and elastin, but they may provide a minor improvement in appearance.
Conclusion:
Stretch marks are a gift every woman gets with a baby bump and other pregnancy symptoms. It is essential to know how to treat them effectively and efficiently as it can cause discomfort. The tips mentioned above should help protect you from developing stretch marks. We hope this article was helpful and you were about to find your favorite cream from the lot! Let us know your stories with stretch marks in the comment section below!
