Picking out pregnancy-safe skincare can seem complicated. I have an entire page on pregnancy beauty, dedicated to which skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or IVF.
Today is about avoiding pregnancy stretch marks.
How can you stop stretch marks from developing? This is probably one of the most Googled queries by pregnant women. I was no different, with one of my fears being getting stretch marks as they are not only permanent, but they are also near impossible to get rid of (unless you opt for abdominoplasty, and that too will not remove the marks on the upper abdomen).
Well, my pregnancy is over, and I am glad to say thatI have zero stretch marks—here’s how you can do it, too!
Read on to learn how to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy.
I have multiple blog posts about stretch marks in pregnancy that will help you understand the reasons for their development and recommendations for their prevention that I will link here:
How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks offers detailed tips on minimizing the risk of stretch marks during pregnancy.
Best Stretch Marks Creams & Oils In Pregnancy lists non-toxic, clean products for to-be mamas to pamper themselves with.
Is Bio Oil Safe To Use In Pregnancy? Discusses why I do not recommend expectant moms use one of the most popular anti-stretch mark products in the market.
I recommend reading at least the first blog post on prevention, which will give you an idea of what you are against.
To reiterate:
- There is no guaranteed method, lotion, or potion to prevent stretch marks.
- Many therapeutic options have been described in the literature with variable results.
- Keep your expectations realistic, as multiple variables are involved, including your genetic tendency, weight gain, the number of babies you carry, and your lifestyle.
- Many actives, such as vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, almond butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, Centella extract, and rosehip oil, are used to prevent stretch marks.
- Hyaluronic acid, Centella extract, and topical retinoids have shown promising results. However, retinoids are contraindicated in pregnancy (and while nursing). I have a post on it that I am linking here: Can I Use Topical Retinoids In Pregnancy?
My stretch mark prevention routine.
There is no foolproof method to prevent stretch marks from developing, but keeping the skin supple may ameliorate the damage caused to the collagen and elastin in your skin that causes stretch marks.
Thus:
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
This includes drinking an adequate amount of water and using topical products to increase the hydration of your abdominal skin locally.
I applied the topicals twice a day, starting at the very beginning of the first trimester, which was easy for me to date as I had an IVF pregnancy.
Towards the end of the second trimester, as I started to develop itchiness in my abdomen (with itchiness being the first sign of a developing stretch mark), I upped my game to 4 times a day.
I would apply the topicals immediately after a shower when the skin is still damp, as damp skin is more permeable and absorbs better.
When showering was not possible, I would rub water on my abdomen and then apply the topicals.
Based on my research, I chose the following products and used them religiously, not skipping even one day!
1) The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5
Hyaluronic acid is a water-loving molecule that retains water.
B5 is a humectant that stops moisture loss. It is an anti-inflammatory that soothes skin irritation.
2) Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solution Cica Cream
This has been a favorite of mine, and I have been using it on my face for years.
Centella Asiatica, the active molecule, has wound-healing properties, reduces inflammation, contains amino acids that moisturize the skin, stimulates collagen production, improves skin elasticity, and is an antioxidant.
3) Badger Belly Butter
Coconut butter moisturizes deeply, along with coconut oil and vitamin E.
4) Badger Pregnant Belly Oil
Organic plant extracts with emollient-rich essential oils and vitamin E.
My typical routine would be to mix the hyaluronic acid and the Cica Cream and alternate between the belly butter and oil in no particular pattern.
All of the 4 products above are pregnancy-safe. I have written posts about pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients:
- Part I: Pregnancy Safe Skincare- Avoid These Ingredients.
- Part II: Pregnancy Safe Skincare- Avoid These Ingredients.
The result
To reiterate, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! That is what I did to prevent the stretch marks, and it worked!
This post is in collaboration with Amazon, but all the product choices and opinions are my own.
