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.
A previous post discussed the causes of stretch marks in pregnancy and what you can do about them – How To Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks.
To sum up:
- Stretch marks affect up to 90% of pregnant women.
- Most commonly appear at the end of the second or beginning of the third trimester, with itching often as the first sign.
- They are a type of scar that occurs when skin is overstretched and shrinks quickly, causing damage to the dermal layer of skin.
- There is no 100% effective method to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy, and as a consumer, it is important to know that the efficacy of these products, if any, is limited.
- As discouraging as the above statement sounds, pregnancy-safe topical preparations do not hurt and keep your skin supple and hydrated.
- Amongst the various topical agents, hyaluronic acid and topical retinoids have shown some promise.
However, topical retinoids should not be used during pregnancy and lactation – Can I Use Topical Retinoids In Pregnancy?
I could not find many pregnancy-safe options for stretch mark products containing hyaluronic acid, but you can mix an HA serum with your favorite stretch mark product. - Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), a perennial herb found in Asia, Africa, and Australia, may help regenerate collagen and elastin. Studies have found topical usage of this herb to be helpful in the management of stretch marks.
As always, all my pregnancy recommendations (at the time of writing) are free of:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Triclosan
- Benzophenone 3 (also known as oxybenzone)
(All the above four are endocrine disruptors. They interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system and the reproductive and other biological processes regulated by it.) - Added fragrance or perfume.
(a rich source of no.2 and a skin irritant, especially in pregnancy, when, due to hormonal changes, skin can become more sensitive) - Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers
Reminder: Companies change their formulas frequently, and the ingredient list may vary by country. Hence, always check the ingredient list before using any product.
Note: This list omits the popular Bio-Oil due to the presence of a retinoid in it.
Is Bio-Oil Safe To Use In Pregnancy?
-I have also omitted Palmer’s group of products due to the presence of the unspecified source of ‘fragrance (parfum),’ possibly phthalates.
True Belly Serum
One of the very few stretch mark creams in the market that has powerhouse ingredients for stretch marks- hyaluronic acid & Centella Asiatica.
Badger Balm Belly Butter
Multiple emollient-rich oils and vitamin E in a cocoa butter and beeswax base.
Solar-powered company.
Cruelty-free.
USDA organic & non-GMO.
Badger Balm Organic Belly Oil
Multiple emollient-rich oils with vitamin E.
Natural fragrance from rose oil extracts.
Solar-powered company.
Cruelty-free.
USDA organic & non-GMO.
Belli Elasticity Belly Oil
With almond oil, vitamin E, and other natural oils.
Cruelty-free.
No artificial colors.
Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
With Shea butter & vitamin E.
99% natural.
Petrolatum and SLS free.
CarbonNeutral™ certified.
Cruelty-free.
Clarins Tonic Treatment Oil
100% pure plant extracts of mint oil & hazel nut.
Mineral oil free.
No coloring agents.
Hatch Belly Oil
Vegan
Plant-based
Earth Mama Belly Butter
With organic shea butter and natural oils.
Petrolatum & mineral oil free.
Cruelty-free.
Earth Mama Belly Oil
Blend of herb-infused oil.
EWG verified.
Vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified.
Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter
Contains vitamin E, omega acids, and other oils.
With the option of natural essential oils or fragrance-free products.
93% natural origin.
Cruelty-free.
Recyclable packaging.
Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil
Blend of natural oils.
Cruelty-free.
Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve
Essential oil extracts in a base of shea butter and beeswax.
Cruelty-free.
Non-GMO. USDA certified.
Solar-powered facility.
Motherlove Pregnant Belly Oil
Non-GMO.
Apricot oil infused with nourishing herbs.
Mustela Stretch Marks Cream
97% natural ingredients
Passion fruit and avocado oil in a shea butter base.
Comes with or without (natural) fragrance.
Mustela Stretch Marks Oil
100% natural origin ingredients.
EWG Verified.
Vegan and fragrance-free.
Pipette Belly Butter
Petrolatum & mineral oil free.
With shea butter, peptides, and sugarcane-derived squalane.
Cruelty-free.
Pipette Belly Oil
Fast absorbing
With squalane
Typology Stretch Mark Gel
Gel to oil formula.
With shea butter, sweet almond oil, and baobab oil, rich in fatty acids.
100% naturally derived ingredients.
100% recyclable aluminum body and recyclable plastic cap.
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This post is in collaboration with Amazon, but all the product choices and opinions are my own.
