Stretch marks are a result of the body expanding faster than your skin is able to," Dr. Engelman said. They're technically scars, which happen when the body is healing damage in the deep layers of the skin. In UK trials with pregnant women,73% of the women reported that their skin was more supple after just two weeksof applying Pregnacare Stretch Mark Cream.

Dr. Engelman added that in addition to Bio-oil, this is the product she likes most to keep skin pliable. I also threw this product in my hospital go-bag for comfort in those first postpartum hours when my skin in the past became itchier as it started to constrict. Chances are pretty high you will — about 90% of women have stretch marks. Anyone, regardless of gender or race, can develop them. But studies show they're more common in women and are more visible the darker your skin. If I could change one thing about the product, it would definitely be the smell. It isn't horrible but it's not the nicest product I have smelt either – a lovely fragrance would make a big difference. Tested by mum Louise Graham the Mother & Baby awards 2018: It's also helpful to maintain a " healthy weight" during pregnancy, which will minimize the stretching, Dr. Mudgil added. "Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants is also helpful, as it helps maintain healthy collagen in our skin." And, stay hydrated which keeps our skin supple, he adds. Pregnacare Stretch Mark Lotion’s unique formula contains Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Avocado oil, and vitamin E, which together gently protect, nourish and moisturise stretching skin. Pregnacare Stretch Mark Lotion has been tested using unique scientific research methods which shows this unique formula can help to reduce stretch mark development at a cellular level.

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But in short: if you are looking for serious results, it may be a bit of a wait until pregnancy and nursing have concluded.

Pregnacare Stretch Mark Massage Lotion is safe and effective during the months of pregnancy and may be continued to be applied after giving birth, to help the contracting skin to stay supple. I would recommend this product to a friend because it is a very nice product. My stretch marks haven't noticeably changed, but equally they haven't got any worse since using the product. Most of my stretch marks are on my legs and bum area and I am a bit conscious of them but I feel this lotion has definitely helped keep them at bay. I will continue to use it for the remainder of my pregnancy and after I've give birth. The design is quite simple and plain but fits in well with the other Pregnacare products. It is very easy to use and I can pop it in my handbag, which is also great. Dr. Mudgil said the only cream that's going to help with stretch marks — and only fresh ones, that that — is a topical retinoid, but they can't be used during pregnancy or nursing. She recommended using the product in conjunction with other creams and oils, rather than instead of it. "Sheet masks are incredible and I definitely recommend the use of them, but preventative skincare doesn't stop there."Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body where the skin has been stretched. They occur when the lower layer of the skin containing collagen and elastin, which give our skin its elasticity, becomes damaged by a rapid weight loss or weight gain, such as in pregnancy. The purple appearance of the stretch mark on the skin is caused by the small blood vessels beneath the surface, which become more visible with stretching. The single-use belly mask claims to minimize the appearance of stretch marks, but experts like Dr. Mudgil say this probably isn't effective enough to reply on that. However, Medical aesthetician, Candace Marino, said that using one is still "a great idea during pregnancy when the skin is changing and stretching." Formulated by experts and trusted by mums for generations, this is an ideal tried and tested way to safeguard a mother's diet during pregnancy. More than just a folic acid supplement, Pregnacare provides a complete Nutrition before Conception & throughout Pregnancy. It is scientifically formulated combination of essential nutrients which plays an important role during the full nine months and contributes to normal development of foetus & prevents risk of pregnancy complications. Pregnacream One thing I would change about the product is the smell, which I find slightly off putting. I would also change the price of this product, although it is good and does what is needed, I wouldn’t like to pay the retail price every time I run out. Overall I would recommend it but I think the smell could be improved. Tested by mum Leah Roberts for the Mother & Baby awards 2018:

Young pregnant people are also more likely to develop them than older pregnant folks. And, not surprisingly, the more weight you gain during pregnancy and the bigger your belly gets, the more likely you are to develop stretch marks. I completely think this product should win, it has given me incredible results that I didn't think were possible from a cream. It has boosted my confidence, not having to worry about people seeing my red stretch marks as I no longer have them!Both Dr. Engelman and Dr. Mudgil said that stretch marks are largely genetic. However, we do have some power to minimize them.

Read more about the best stretch mark creams Tested by mum Naomi Latham for the Mother & Baby awards 2018: The only thing that I would change about Pregnacare Stretch Mark Massage Lotion is that it is not very widely available, due to it being a new product. I think it would be great if it could be supplied in other size bottles too, such as a travel size one for when you go on a babymoon and a larger size for at home. Tested by mum Samantha Creedon-Gray for the Mother & Baby awards 2018: More than just a folic acid supplement, Pregnacare provides a complete Nutrition before Conception & throughout Pregnancy. Palmer's Tummy Butter is dermatologist-recommended, smells far better than Palmer's cocoa butter of the past, and is very budget-friendly. I would choose this product because it’s non-greasy and has an eye catching design on the bottle. One thing I’m not very keen on is the smell, it contains aloe vera but the lotion smells funny and is quite strong too, although it does do the job intended.Dr. Engelman, on the other hand, has seen some success in preventing stretch marks with a few products. Medical aesthetician Candace Marino, who has worked with celebrities to improve their skin, also has faith in some products, such as TFC8 (a complex of amino acids, high-grade vitamins, and other molecules naturally found in the skin) to help with stretch marks and skin elasticity. Pregnacare Stretch Cream is a rich massage cream, specially formulated to care for stretching skin during pregnancy.