The Absolute Best Stretch-Mark Creams, According to Dermatologists

Updated on 5/25/2023 at 5:30 PM

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Pregnancy comes with a whole lot of change. Some of the pregnancy symptoms that crop up are totally unexpected, while others you may see coming — like stretch marks, which 50 to 90 percent of people experience as a result of pregnancy, according to Cleveland Clinic. But while some stretch-mark creams claim to prevent the stripes, it's a claim you should be wary of.

To understand why, it's useful to know what stretch marks are. "Stretch marks are a type of scar that result from a rapid stretching or shrinking of the skin, which causes breakdown of collagen and elastin," says Reshmi Kapoor, MD, a dermatologist and owner and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY. Genetics play a large role in who gets them, she says, though how quickly your belly grows can matter, too.

Stretch marks also happen during puberty or other times of rapid body changes, and they're so common that you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't have a few. They often fade away almost completely over time, and even when they don't, many people learn to love them — especially the marks that are a result of pregnancy. People call them tiger stripes, love lines, or angel scratches and consider them proof of the amazing things their bodies are capable of.

But when they're forming, they can be a little uncomfortable, dry, and itchy — since your skin is basically growing faster than it's physically able to — and that's where stretch-mark creams come in, says Carmen Castilla, MD, a dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital. Moisturizers can soothe any itching or tightness you might feel.

During pregnancy, however, it's essential to be careful about what you're putting on your skin. For instance, you should avoid ingredients like retinoids, tretinoin, and vitamin A — which might have some impact on the appearance of stretch marks — because they've been linked to birth defects. Instead, it's best to look for a stretch-mark cream "with ingredients like glycerin, squalene, and hyaluronic acid [to] help hydrate the skin and keep it supple and elastic to accommodate its growth," Dr. Kapoor says.

Ahead, we've rounded up the best stretch-mark creams on the market, according to dermatologists.

Best Belly Butter For Stretch Marks

Pipette Belly Butter ($20)

Designed for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, this belly butter is one of Dr. Kapoor's go-tos. It's made with nourishing shea butter, sugarcane-derived squalane, and complex peptides to moisturize and calm stretch-mark-prone skin. It's also hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin, and nonstaining, so you can confidently lather any areas in need of extra hydration.

Pipette Belly Butter

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$20

Most Classic Stretch-Mark Cream

Palmer's Cocoa Butter ($6, originally $10)

Looking for a stretch-mark lotion that keeps your skin supple for 48 hours? Dr. Kapoor recommends this classic. The nongreasy formula is ideal for your entire body, and the cocoa butter, shea butter, natural oils, collagen, and elastin are the key ingredients for promoting soft, hydrated skin. It's also free from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, and fragrance allergens and safe during and after pregnancy.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter

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$10 Now 40% off

Best Gel Cream For Stretch Marks

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Moisturizing Gel Cream ($9, originally $15)

This gel cream is loaded with hyaluronic acid, which instantly quenches thirsty skin. It's also paraben-free and dye-free, and it doesn't contain drying alcohols, so it absorbs into the skin instantly (and doesn't stain clothes), making it a gold-standard product for stretch marks, according to Dr. Kapoor.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Moisturizing Gel Cream

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$15 Now 40% off

Best All-Purpose Cream For Stretch Marks

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($19)

This CeraVe tub is a classic for a reason. It's fragrance-free and packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which are superstars for hydrating and protecting the skin barrier. This cream is also suitable for all skin types, whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, and Dr. Kapoor says it's a great option for eliminating itching caused by stretch marks.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

From

$19

Best Stretch-Mark Cream (That's Also Baby-Safe)

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer ($20)

This La Roche-Posay option is one of Dr. Kapoor's top choices because it's clinically shown to reduce dry, rough skin and provide 48-hour hydration. The active ingredients, including shea butter, antioxidants, and ceramide, replenish the skin's essential lipids, and the rich, creamy texture is perfect for a growing belly. Bonus: it can be used on your baby once they've arrived, too.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer

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$20

Stretch-Mark Cream For the Third Trimester

Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy ($29)

Dr. Castilla loves this deeply penetrating product because of its hyaluronic-acid properties, Cepalin botanical extract, and centella asiatica, which nourish the skin to enhance softness, hydration, and texture. But its packaging notes it's safe to use "following the second trimester of pregnancy," so talk to your doctor if you want to start application before then.

Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy

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$29

Best Cream For Stretch Marks Postpartum

Differin Acne Treatment Gel ($15)

This option must be saved for postpartum, but it's Dr. Castilla's recommendation for people who want to fade their stretch marks after they've had a baby. It contains retinoids — and therefore is not safe for unborn babies — which can potentially help speed up cell turnover and trigger collagen production after you give birth. The formula is also water-based, alcohol- and fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic so it won't clog your pores. But again, keep this one in your cart until you're no longer pregnant.

Differin Acne Treatment Gel

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$15