10 best stretch mark creams and oils

“I used Bio-Oil every day from the first trimester as recommended by my sister-in-law – not a single stretch mark, thankfully. I was also influenced by a friend who is a nurse who does antenatal care. She says she can tell which are the Bio-Oil tummies!”

The go-to product for many a Mumsnetter and most pregnant women hoping to avoid stretch marks as their bumps grow, Bio-Oil has been around more than 30 years and is clinically proven to improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Plant extracts and vitamins are suspended in an oil base which you massage in a circular motion into problem areas to help improve the skin’s elasticity, which may help to prevent stretch marks as you grow. It promises to reduce the appearance of them afterwards.

In trials, 95% of users said they saw an improvement in the look of their stretch marks within two weeks.

“The Organic Pharmacy Stretch Mark Oil is amazing. Every one of my friends that has used it hasn't had any stretch marks.”

With extracts of rosehip, calendula, lavender, orange and jojoba, this stretch mark treatment oil smells gorgeous and feels like a treat rather than a chore to apply each day. It’s 99.8% organic too.

Pump some of the oil into your hands after a bath or shower and smooth onto damp skin to help keep it supple and smooth.

“I used it everyday after a shower and sometimes just to relax. No stretch marks, but that could be down to genes! It smells and feels lovely anyway.”

Like all Burt’s Bees products, this looks as beautiful as it smells and you’ll be happy to have this pretty jar sitting by your bed or bath tub ready to be rubbed into your belly each day.

It has a really rich consistency and feels very soothing as you apply it – perfect for itchy, tight bumps and dry skin anywhere on your body. The ingredients are 99% natural, and include Vitamin E, hydrating cocoa, shea and jojoba butter to thoroughly moisturise your belly.

“All my friends and friends of friends that used Mustela swear by it. I used it day and night with my firstborn and didn't have one stretch mark. Pregnant again and using it again.”

This ‘best kept secret’ cream from French brand Mustela is a bit of a gem. They also do a serum and an oil.

Designed to help prevent the appearance of stretch marks in pregnancy, this cream smooths on to increase skin hydration and therefore elasticity as well as help your bump feel more comfortable.

如果你feeling turned off certain smells during pregnancy, you’ll be pleased to hear this cream is also available in a non-scented version.

“Palmer’s Cocoa Butter. Smells amazing and keeps you moisturised literally all day – you can feel it when changing before bed.”

With its distinctive chocolatey scent, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter has been a favourite among mums with growing bumps for years and it continues to impress today.

It may not have fancy packaging or premium credentials, but you can pick up a bottle in most supermarkets and, for less than £4, you can afford to slather it on with impunity. It also seems to improve the skin's condition and possibly prevent stretch marks.

Cocoa and shea butters keep your skin moisturised and supple for up to 48 hours and, in tests, 98% of women saw improved elasticity within eight weeks.

“I’m using StriVectin at the moment. It's expensive and you have to religiously apply it three times a day, but it's definitely improving the appearance of my stretch marks.”

If you suffer badly with stretch marks and are happy to splash out, users of StriVectin swear by this lightweight formula that targets wrinkles and works wonders on stretch marks.

It’s a treatment rather than a prevention, and the secret ‘sciencey’ ingredient is a patented form of Niacin, a type of Vitamin B3, which has been shown to strengthen the moisture barrier of skin and improve the performance of other ingredients.

It feels a bit medical rather than like a spa treatment but, anecdotally, seems to get great results. Many users say it has completely eradicated even historical stretch marks, fading them from angry red and purple lines to silvery ones that are now hardly visible.

This is an expensive cream, but if you’re willing to throw money at the problem, it’s definitely worth a go, particularly if pregnancy left you with a few souvenirs you’d rather see disappear.

“Another vote for the Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil here. I had it as a gift when I found out I was pregnant, otherwise I might not have bought it in the first place as it isn't cheap. I'm a bit hooked now though. It just smells so nice and really does help with the itching.”

Mums-to-be rave about the zingy, citrusy scent of this tummy oil with orange and bergamot. If you find the smell of cocoa or shea butter a bit sickly, this might be the treatment for you because it’s really fresh-smelling. It also sinks into the skin much better than some products, with no film left on the skin to feel sticky or mark your clothes.

The base of the treatment is avocado, inchi and argan oil, all rich in Omega- 3, -6 and -9, which help keep your skin supple. Olive, coconut, rosehip and almond are added to help nourish, soothe and protect.

One pump of this goes a long way and should be enough to cover your entire belly, making it pretty good value. Start as early in pregnancy as you can, using it twice daily. Mama Mio recommends you continue using the oil for four months after your baby is born.

“I’ve been through a tub of Neal’s Yard Mother's Balm which is AMAZING. Zero stretch marks at the moment and I’m 29 weeks so fingers crossed I don’t get any.”

尼尔的院子里的超级舒缓乳香但是是无味的really rich and comforting. It's sure to calm itchy, stretched bumps with its blend of apricot kernel, sweet almond and coconut oil, along with beeswax and macadamia seed oil.

The 100% organic ingredients are designed to boost the skin’s elasticity and therefore reduce the chance of stretch marks appearing. Lots of mums say it did exactly that if used regularly (recommended twice a day). A little goes a long way and it sinks in really nicely – dry skin, in particular, laps it up.

“I used this every day and it was amazing!”

This deliciously scented oil with rosemary, geranium and mint is a favourite among Mumsnetters for both removing and preventing stretch marks.

Hazelnut oil locks moisture into the skin, keeping it smooth and hydrated as your skin grows and changes, whether that’s during pregnancy, afterwards, or during a period of weight loss or gain.

约£40,它并不便宜,但这是than just a stretch mark treatment – it’s a skin ritual in its own right and fans say they enjoy setting aside a little time each day to smooth on the oil and allow it to sink in. It also leaves you delicately fragranced all day as well as hydrated and silky soft.

“I’ve been using Bloom and Blossom. So far so good and smells lovely.”

This calming oil, scented with lavender and ylang ylang, among others, is a balm to the soul as well as the skin.

The oil itself includes 11 natural and nourishing ingredients such as rich argan kernel and sweet almond oil to protect the skin, as well as marigold extract to encourage cell regeneration.

It’s said to be a wonder at reducing the appearance of scars as well as stretch marks and is also a great general skin conditioner, ideal for when you feel dry, itchy or uncomfortable.

It’s recommended to be used twice a day and is absorbed quickly and easily into the skin so you don’t have to hang around waiting for it to dry before you can get dressed.