What’s the best way to fade stretch marks?
Mothers go through a lot of physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. Stretch marks, also known as striae, happen when the skin stretches quickly, usually due to pregnancy, sudden change in weight, or even rapid growth during puberty.
Stretch marks appear in different areas of our body such as the stomach, arms, hips, and thighs. Although they are perfectly normal, some women actually do find them bothersome as they feel itchy, sensitive and also it affects their self-esteem.
Some women usually find it hard to fade their post-pregnancy stretch marks. And here at theAsianparent, we have just the solution for you!
How to Choose A Good Stretch Marks Cream
Don’t let your stretch marks get you down, Mama, because there is a way for you to fade them! You have to be patient though because it will take some time.
The best way to deal with stretch marks is to start applying a good stretch mark cream consistently throughout your pregnancy.
Take note of these few things before purchasing your stretch marks cream:
- Ingredients
Pregnant women should be extra careful when consuming or applying any medication to avoid any potential risks to the baby. It is best to go for creams that are made with natural ingredients or medically-approved chemical ingredients, and paraben-free.
- Feel and Comfort
A good cream provides moisture and hydration to the skin. We recommend choosing an anti-inflammatory stretch mark cream if you have sensitive skin.
We have compiled some of the most-loved stretch mark creams in Malaysia.
Mama’s Choice Stretch Mark Cream
Our top choice is Mama’s Choice Stretch Mark Cream that deeply moisturizes stretch mark-prone skin and relieves itching. This cream is safe to use during and after pregnancy as well as during breastfeeding. You can count on this to provide comfort to your stretching belly, hips, and breast.
What we like about it:
Ingredients:
- A blend of natural ingredients derived from LipobelleTM Soyaglycone
- Aloe vera to improve skin elasticity and keep the skin soft, hydrated and supple all-day
- Enriched with shea butter, olive oil, and jojoba oil
- Rich in antioxidants and collagen-building components
Feel and Comfort:
- Soothes itchiness
- Soft and gentle enough to be applied on the skin’s most sensitive area
Pureen Stretch Mark Lotion
Pureen is one of the most trusted mum and baby care brands in Malaysia. The Pureen Stretch Mark Lotion is developed with its TRIPLE ACTION FORMULA that helps prevent and reduce stretch marks.
What we like about it:
Ingredients:
- Cocoa butter, shea butter, olive oil dan Rose Hip Seed oil
- Collagen and Sodium Hyaluronate to strengthen the skin and enhance its elasticity
- Vitamin E for antioxidant protection
Feel and Comfort:
- Contains oil to soften the skin
- Relieves itchiness due to dry skin
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion helps increase skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of stretch marks. This cream is highly recommended for stretch marks during and after pregnancy or sudden weight changes and can be used all over the body.
Bonus point – it does not only reduce stretch marks but also corrects skin tone and texture.
What we like about it:
Ingredients:
- Pure Cocoa Butter dan Shea Butter
- Natural oils
- Collagen, Elastin, and Lutein keep the skin moist and supple for 48 hours, allowing the skin to stretch more easily
- Free from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, fragrance allergens, and dyes
Feel and Comfort:
- Not oily
- Suitable for whole body use, instead of your usual body lotion
Bio-Oil®
Bio-Oil is a scar removal product that is not only very popular in this country, but around the world.
Renowned for its very own research laboratory, the brand is known as Bio‑Oil® in all countries other than Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland where it is known as Bio-Oil® and in Japan where it is known as Bioil®.
What we like about it:
Ingredients:
- Calendula, Lavender, and Rosemary oils as well as Chamomile extract
- Vitamin A and E
- Free from chemical ingredients and preservatives
Feel and Comfort:
- PurCellin Oil™ makes this a non-oily body oil a.k.a “dry" oil that feels light on the skin
- Easily absorbed into the skin
Burt Bees Mama Belly Butter
Mums love this cream as it is specially formulated to soothe the skin throughout the 9 months of pregnancy.
Burt Bees Mama Belly Butter has a creamy texture that will nourish mum’s growing belly with softness, extra care, and comfort before and after the arrival of the baby.
Apply this belly butter early on during pregnancy so it is much easier to fade them later!
What we like about it:
Ingredients:
- 99% natural ingredients
- Sunflower oil, coconut oil, almond oil, shea butter, jojoba oil
- Vitamin E
- Free from phthalates, parabens, petrolatum and SLS
Feel and Comfort:
- Not sticky
- Easily absorbed into the skin
Mustela Stretch Marks Prevention Cream
This Mustela cream helps prevent the appearance of stretch marks since pregnancy. It does not contain any fragrances or ingredients that can be harmful to the baby.
It was developed in collaboration with physicians to ensure that it is safe for mum and baby.
What we like about it:
Ingredients:
- Avocado peptides strengthen skin elasticity and make skin feel supple and comfortable
- Galactoarabin, a patented stretch mark treatment ingredient extracted from the Larch tree, increases skin elasticity and helps skin withstand stretch marks
- Beeswax and shea butter provide lasting moisture and nourishment, leaving skin feeling soft
Feel and Comfort:
- Hypoallergenic, safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Does not contain potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, bisphenols A/S, caffeine and alcohol
Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy
Mederma® Stretch Marks Therapy locks hydration to help prevent stretch marks. This cream can be applied during pregnancy, beginning the second trimester onwards, and even during breastfeeding.
What we like about it:
Ingredients:
- Cepailin, a proprietary botanical blend
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Centella Asiatica plant extract
Feel and Comfort:
- Easily absorbs into the skin
- Increases the moisture content of the skin
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Read more: The downside about being pregnant that no one told you about