When it comes to caring for your skin during pregnancy, most women have one of two goals in mind: stopping stretch marks before they form, or treating the ones they already have.
Whether you’re newly pregnant and trying to minimize stretch marks, or just welcomed your newborn and are trying to soften the stretch marks you gained, there are endless products available that claim to help.
But, it’s important to remember that most of the creams, oils, and lotions available are designed as moisturizers first and treatments second.
Soft skin is always nice to have, but it shouldn’t be a priority if prevention of stretch marks is your goal. Instead, you need to look for products with ingredients that actually reach the dermis layer of your skin, where marks originate.
If you’re wondering which stretch mark creams are actually worth your money, try one of these top ten picks to maximize your chances of seeing a difference.
The Struggle With Stretch Marks
According to recent studies, anywhere between 50-90% of pregnant women end up with stretch marks.
They’re most common on the belly and hips, forming during the fast-growth stretch of mid to late pregnancy.
For some women, they might also develop on the breasts, legs, and arms.
Heredity plays a role in stretch mark formation, though both the quantity and the speed of weight gain during pregnancy have an effect as well.
The start of the damage happens out of sight. The dermis tears as skin is pulled faster than collagen can rebuild it.
A cream that only conditions the outer layer never reaches that depth, which is exactly why surface-level moisturizing doesn’t work for prevention.
To genuinely qualify as the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy, a product has to get below the epidermis.
How to Choose the Best Pregnancy Stretch Mark Creams
The ingredient list is the single most important factor when deciding on the right pregnancy stretch mark cream.
Plain cocoa butter just doesn’t deliver, so formulas featuring powerhouse ingredients like Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid earn higher marks, since they accomplish more than simply calming taut, dry skin.
Secondly, it’s important to focus on formulas that are safe for pregnant women. Anything carrying retinoids at levels that give experts pause should be ruled out, so you can apply without anxiety about your baby.
Useability should also always be a consideration. Even an effective formula with great ingredients won’t work if its feel or aroma is so off-putting that you abandon it after a week.
And, of course, value should always be a final consideration. Just don’t measure that value by the price tag alone!
A cheap $9 bottle with no proven benefits doesn’t have the same value as a $47 serum carrying ingredients dermatologists actually endorse. Quality, as always, costs something.
10 Best Stretch Mark Creams For Pregnancy
These 10 top recommended stretch mark creams earn high marks for their safe ingredients, moisturization, and
All of them merit a mention, but if preventing stretch marks rather than minimizing the look of them after pregnancy is your goal, the front-runner earns its spot through real, demonstrated prevention results.
1. 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum
Main Benefits:
- Combines Centella Asiatica with triple-weighted hyaluronic acid.
- Absorbs past the surface into the dermis, where marks begin.
- Protected by a 100-day money-back guarantee.
- Subscribers can take 10% off the price.
Watch Out For:
- There’s no calling $47 a bottle affordable.
- The only place to buy it is 8sheep.com.
When preventing stretch marks before they form is the goal, the 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum stands out.
It contains both of the ingredients the AAD highlights, Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid.
Rather than resting on the skin the way a standard moisturizer does, this serum works its way into the dermis.
Plenty of moisturizing creams are fine for giving skin some extra hydration, they just never get down to where marks actually develop.
Since the goal is to find the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy and not the best moisturizer, that depth is the whole game.
This serum manages to be richly hydrating at the same time, which is rare for a serum.
Thanks to a 30% moisture content that switches on the moment it touches skin, it also absorbs quickly, so there’s no awkward wait before getting dressed.
The price is the main downside. At $47, it’s definitely one of the highest priced stretch mark creams on the list.
But, the 100-day return window makes it worth the gamble, and subscribing to regular shipments lets you take another 10% off.
2. Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter
Main Benefits:
- Certified organic through Oregon Tilth.
- Engineered with a scent that won’t set off queasiness.
- Bears the Leaping Bunny cruelty-free seal.
Watch Out For:
- You won’t find Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid here.
- It’s a conditioning moisturizer, not a focused treatment.
Clinical actives aren’t the focus of Earth Mama products, and the Belly Butter is no exception.
Instead, the rich lotion uses organic aloe, shea butter, calendula, rooibos, and sweet orange peel oil to support skin elasticity.
The pump dispenser makes it quick and easy to apply, with a rich formula that still manages to absorb quickly.
It looks dense in the tub yet melts in faster than the typical butter, landing somewhere between a lotion and a heavy cream. That texture tucks neatly under clothing without the film that clings and irritates through the day.
The light citrus fragrance is one of the best features of the lotion, as it was formulated to not trigger morning sickness, something that can be crucial for many expectant mothers.
At $23.99 for 8 ounces, it’s an affordable organic choice.
3. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Oil
Main Benefits:
- The list’s lowest price at $8.99.
- A light oil that leaves no residue behind.
- Free of mineral oil and parabens.
Watch Out For:
- Some studies put cocoa butter on par with a placebo for prevention.
- The 3.4 oz bottle is on the small side.
Palmer’s is a well-known name for anyone that’s looking into products for pregnancy stretch marks.
The company’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Oil has been around for decades and, at $8.99, is far and away the cheapest option.
The formula combines cocoa butter, collagen, elastin, moringa, and baobab oils.
Palmer’s in-house testing claims 98% of women saw better elasticity and texture, yet independent studies on cocoa butter suggests that it won’t help to prevent stretch marks.
While the other ingredients likely will improve skin elasticity, they don’t absorb deeply enough to prevent stretch marks from forming.
Because it’s a massage oil, it does take a little longer to absorb, but it works well for moisturizing and relieving the itchiness that some pregnant women experience.
It’s recognizable and easy to find, but doesn’t provide enough proven benefits to earn the top spot.
4. Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
Main Benefits:
- Combines cepalin with hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica.
- Holds the #1 doctor-recommended title for stretch marks.
- Visible results around week 4, peaking near week 12.
Watch Out For:
- The price varies by retailer, but expect to pay roughly $38 for 5.29 oz.
- A thicker cream that can feel weighty going on.
Apart from 8 Sheep, Mederma is the only stretch mark cream on the list that boasts both Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid.
It also contains cepalin, an extract from onion bulb, along with hydrolyzed collagen and soy protein to improve surface texture.
The #1 doctor-recommended claim is based on an independent survey of American physicians.
Mederma’s studies found women experiencing visible change inside four weeks and the strongest results by the twelve-week mark.
Thicker than nearly every other product on the list, it absorbs slowly, but keeps the moisture going for longer.
Applying it before a packed day can feel like a bit of a chore, so many women use it as an at-home, wind-down product before bed.
At around $38 for 5.29 ounces, it’s a premium buy, though the numerous proven ingredients it contains makes the spend reasonable.
5. Mustela Maternity Stretch Marks Cream
Main Benefits:
- A single 3-in-1 cream for prevention, reduction, and hydration.
- 96% natural origin by the ISO 16128 measure.
- Made in France and certified as a B Corp.
Watch Out For:
- Contains no Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid.
- $37 for 8.45 oz is an overcharge considering what the formula offers.
Mustela has been part of European maternity routines for generations, so spotting it among the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy is no shock.
Its 3-in-1 cream uses avocado peptides and plant collagen blended with shea butter
Neither has independent research that matches that of Centella Asiatica, but the brand’s testing showed promise at both preventing new marks and at fading existing ones.
A 96% natural-origin formula, scored under the ISO 16128 standard, makes it a great choice for those in search of clean ingredients.
It can be used while breastfeeding, and has passed both dermatological and gynecological review.
It boasts the largest tube on the list, at 8.45 ounces, which makes the $37 price tag a little less hefty.
And, while the active ingredients don’t quite measure up to 8 Sheep or Mederma, its promising results earn it a spot in the top five.
6. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
Main Benefits:
- Formulated to be 99% natural.
- Entirely free of fragrance, which belly butters rarely manage.
- $13.99 for 6.5 oz.
Watch Out For:
- Carries no active ingredients for prevention.
- A jar format that makes application awkward.
- Per the label, wipe it off before nursing.
Most people think Burt’s Bees focuses mainly on lip care, but its pregnancy butter for stretch marks holds its own.
The simplicity of the product is one of its main appeals. A blend of natural plant oils and butters with no fragrance whatsoever means there’s no chance of triggering morning sickness.
At $13.99 for 6.5 ounces, it’s also one of the more affordable options on the market.
Just keep in mind that it’s more a moisturizer than a treatment; it simply doesn’t have the active ingredients to prevent marks on its own.
It still earns a spot for soothing skin through months of stretching at a gentle price, but if your goal is prevention, you’ll need something more powerful.
7. Belli Stretch Mark Minimizing Cream
Main Benefits:
- Uses Darutoside and Regestril to work on existing marks.
- Clinical data of up to 72% less depth and 52% less length.
- OB/GYN recommended and cleared for pregnancy and nursing.
Watch Out For:
- Contains retinyl palmitate, which some dermatologists caution against in pregnancy.
- Made to reduce existing stretch marks, not to prevent them.
While most creams are designed to prevent stretch marks, Belli is made to reduce them. And, considering how difficult that can be, it does an impressive job.
Its active ingredients are Darutoside paired with Regestril, two plant-extract complexes that boast impressive results in reducing stretch marks.
In fact, clinical studies show regular use will take up to 72% off the depth of a mark and 52% off its length.
With avocado and shea butter for moisture, plus ginseng, orange, and coconut to tone skin and reduce inflammation, it’s a powerhouse product that’s worth considering if you’ve already started getting stretch marks.
At $29 for 6.5 ounces, it’s a fairly pricey product. But, it provides results that other stretch mark creams simply don’t.
It does contain a small amount of retinyl palmitate, which some dermatologists recommend against during pregnancy.
However, the cream has been medically researched to avoid ingredients that may be harmful during pregnancy or nursing, and is both OBY/GN and dermatologist recommended.
If reduction is your goal, this should definitely be your top pick.
8. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Main Benefits:
- A PurCellin Oil base that absorbs fast and never feels greasy.
- Works on both scars and stretch marks.
- Dermatologist recommended and non-comedogenic.
Watch Out For:
- Contains retinyl palmitate, a possible concern during pregnancy.
- Wasn’t specifically designed with pregnant users in mind.
Bio-Oil is an unusual addition to thus list simply because it’s the only product that wasn’t specifically designed for expectant mothers.
Instead, it’s a long-trusted treatment for scars and marks of any kind, with ingredients that provide proven results.
The featherweight PurCellin Oil base absorbs quickly, works on face and body, and stays clear of clogging pores.
Inside you’ll find botanicals such as calendula and lavender along with vitamin E and and retinyl palmitate, the same Vitamin A derivative found in Belli.
There is some debate about whether Vitamin A derivatives are safe to use during pregnancy, so consult with your doctor or dermatologist if you have any concerns.
That being said, at $17 for 4.2 ounces, it’s definitely one of the most reasonably priced options available with results that have made it a household name.
9. Bumpology Bump Butter
Main Benefits:
- Physician-formulated and entirely natural.
- A single application that holds moisture for 24 hours.
- Made in an FDA-registered facility.
Watch Out For:
- $29 buys only a 4 oz jar.
- The vanilla scent may trigger morning sickness in the first trimester.
- No active ingredients aimed at prevention.
Bumpology’s goal is to provide a two-for-one experience with its body butter by combining a variety of rich, moisturizing butters with elasticity-boosting natural oils.
Everything in the jar is natural, with no synthetics, and it boasts a physician-formulated blend of mango, cocoa and shea butter with sunflower, coconut and argan oil.
There’s no doubt that it’s a rich and nourishing body butter, though its price of $29 for 4 ounces is a little steep considering there’s no clinically proven ingredients in the blend.
Additionally while the vanilla scent is light, some reviewers still found it too strong and off-putting during early pregnancy.
It’s a solid moisturizer with clean ingredients, but it’s just not one you should expect to see dramatic results from using, since it doesn’t have the necessary active ingredients to penetrate to the dermis.
10. The Honest Company Glow On Body Oil
Main Benefits:
- Five plant oils, with nothing artificial added.
- Hypoallergenic, with a toxicologist’s review behind it.
- No synthetic fragrance.
Watch Out For:
- No active ingredients clinically proven to prevent stretch marks.
- At $17.99 for 4.2 oz, it’s not remarkably good value.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning the body oil from The Honest Company, a brand that prides itself on clean formulations.
This oil definitely lives up to that, with a simple blend of nourishing ingredients to help hydrate and soften skin while increasing elasticity.
Sunflower, jojoba, coconut, avocado, and olive oils are blended with chamomile and vitamin E, creating an oil that doesn’t have a single ingredient that could be a concern for pregnant women.
For an expectant parent that wants the security of knowing the product they’re using is safe, the hypoallergenic testing and toxicologist audit provide additional peace-of-mind.
That being said, with the lack of active ingredients like Centella Asiatica, the oil is just a moisturizer, and doesn’t provide the prevention benefits that a woman looking for the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy would want.
The brand is trusted and the ingredients are safe and pure, just don’t count on it to prevent stretch marks before they start. For hydration alone, it more than delivers.
Comparing the Best Pregnancy Stretch Mark Creams
| Product | Type | Price | Size | Centella Asiatica | Hyaluronic Acid | Best For |
| 8 Sheep True Belly Serum | Serum | $47 | N/A | Yes | Yes | Clinical prevention with AAD-backed ingredients |
| Earth Mama Belly Butter | Butter | $23.99 | 8 fl oz | No | No | Organic formula safe for morning sickness |
| Palmer’s Massage Oil | Oil | $8.99 | 3.4 fl oz | No | No | Budget-friendly daily moisture |
| Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy | Cream | $38 | 5.29 oz | Yes | Yes | #1 doctor-recommended clinical formula |
| Mustela Stretch Marks Cream | Cream | $37 | 8.45 fl oz | No | No | Premium natural formula, largest tube |
| Burt’s Bees Belly Butter | Butter | $13.99 | 6.5 oz | No | No | Fragrance-free, affordable daily use |
| Belli Minimizing Cream | Cream | $29 | 6.5 fl oz | No | No | Reducing existing stretch marks |
| Bio-Oil Skincare Oil | Oil | $17 | 4.2 fl oz | No | No | Multi-purpose scar and stretch mark oil |
| Bumpology Bump Butter | Butter | $29 | 4 oz | No | No | Clean physician-formulated butter |
| Honest Co. Glow On Oil | Oil | $17.99 | 4.2 fl oz | No | No | Clean plant-based oil from trusted brand |
Which Type of Stretch Mark Product is Right For You?
While it’s common to refer to any product as stretch mark cream, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily literal creams.
Oils, serums, lotions, and butters all have different benefits and absorb into your skin slightly differently.
Here are some key differences between them:
Oils and Serums
Light to the touch and quick to absorb. A serum or oil can soak in and reach the dermis where marks form.
What’s lost is long-term moisturization. The thinner texture releases moisture sooner, so dry skin may want a second layer or a repeat coat before bed.
Creams, Lotions, and Butters
Denser and longer lasting The Mederma and Mustela creams are slower to absorb and leave a protective seal, while the Burt’s Bees and Earth Mama butters are the heaviest of all.
Keep those for the evening, when there’s time to let them soak all the way in.
Ingredients to Look For in the Best Stretch Mark Cream For Pregnancy
Stretch marks attract no shortage of bad information about what truly fades or prevents them. Some ingredients have studies in their corner; others ride along purely for skin feel. The useful skill is separating the two.
- Centella Asiatica (gotu kola): the most-researched name on this list, with trials linking regular use to fewer marks.
- Hyaluronic acid: sits beside Centella on the AAD’s prevention list, which is why 8 Sheep and Mederma both include it.
- Vitamin E: turns up on most of these labels, but it’s a broad skin antioxidant with no stretch-mark-specific evidence.
- Shea butter: a reliable moisture barrier and comfort ingredient rather than a treatment.
- Cocoa butter: a decades-old staple that still hasn’t outdone a placebo in prevention research.
There are other nourishing, hydrating ingredients worth seeking, but these are the headliners on most labels. Stay clear on which truly affect marks and which are present only to soften skin.
What Should You Stay Away From?
Just as the right ingredients are important when choosing a stretch mark product, there are some ingredients that are likely best avoided.
Here are a few ingredients to approach with caution:
- Retinoids: avoid retinol and tretinoin while pregnant.
- High-dose salicylic acid: modest topical levels are fine; heavy concentrations are not.
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: watch the labels for DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15.
- Synthetic fragrances: they can disguise undisclosed ingredients, so favor unscented or naturally scented products.
Whatever you rub into your skin can travel into your bloodstream and potentially to your baby, so scrutinize every ingredient list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pregnancy Stretch Mark Creams Actually Work?
Some stretch mark creams, like those containing hyaluronic acid, can prevent stretch marks from forming. Some can help improve skin elasticity and sooth itchiness. And, some can reduce the look of existing stretch marks.
The key is deciding whether you’re trying to treat, soothe, or prevent, and then choosing a product with active ingredients that meet your needs.
When Should I Start Using Stretch Mark Cream When Pregnant?
Start in the first trimester, before anything appears. Prevention is a far easier task than reduction once the marks have set in.
How Do I Use Stretch Mark Creams and Oils?
Most pregnancy stretch mark creams recommend twice-daily use.
Smooth them onto skin that’s still damp after showering to help them absorb better and lock in moisture.
Start with your belly and hips first, then move to your breasts and thighs. Massage for half a minute to a minute to boost circulation and help absorption.
Can I Use a Stretch Mark Product with Retinol After I Give Birth?
While you’re breastfeeding, it’s generally recommended to continue to avoid retinol.
But, it becomes a powerful addition to your skincare regime once breastfeeding is behind you. It accelerates cell turnover and fades marks faster than most options out there.
If you’re still nursing and considering using retinol products, check with your doctor first.
When it comes to choosing the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy and beyond, it’s worth taking some time to check the formulas and make sure you’re getting the active ingredients that will help make a difference.
Whether you’re trying to ensure stretch marks don’t form at all, or fade the ones you already have, there are plenty of great options available.
Take some time to test a few and find one that works for you and your daily routine.
And, remember that even the best product won’t make a difference if it’s not used consistently! Make a good stretch mark cream part of your daily routine, and you’re sure to notice the results.