6 Stretch Mark Creams Moms-to-Be Can’t Stop Buying (and Derms Approve, Too)

Voted Best Stretch Mark Cream in the 2024 Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Awards, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion has gained a reputation for gently and effectively treating stretch marks. It’s particularly good for those with sensitive skin. Here’s why.

The formula is both hypoallergenic and made with a variety of natural, gentle ingredients that sensitive skin may tolerate better. These ingredients include pure cocoa butter, shea butter, and a blend of argan, almond, and coconut oils, which offer 48 hours of hydration to help with itchy skin. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter also contains natural antioxidants like lutein to support the skin as it stretches, while vitamin E works to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars. Apply it to your belly and beyond with a soothing massage to truly reap the benefits.

If you’re looking for a rich and nourishing formula that’s also lower-cost, look no further than Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter. This thick body butter combines the nutrient-rich benefits of vitamin E with cocoa, shea, and jojoba butters to offer intense hydration that not only helps diminish the appearance of stretch marks but also combats itchy pregnancy skin. Many members of the WTE community use Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter as their go-to because they love how rich and hydrating it is without feeling too sticky. The formula is also made with 99 percent natural origin ingredients, making it gentler on your skin.

Trofolastin not only comes highly recommended by dermatologists but is also a favorite among moms in the WTE community — and for good reason. This cream is the only one on the list with solid clinical testing showing that it actually works. According to Dr. Wood, who also recommends this product, the cream’s efficacy lies in its ingredients, specifically the addition of pregnancy-safe centella asiatica. “Centella asiatica is a plant found in the wetlands of Asia, which has been shown to increase collagen production,” she says. Other ingredients, like vitamin E, can help add moisture to the skin, which may in turn improve the appearance of stretch marks, but centella asiatica is the only clinically tested ingredient shown to reduce and potentially prevent the appearance of stretch marks.

Aiding in collagen production is key to diminishing the appearance of stretch marks, and Trofolastin helps regenerate, repair, and heal rapidly stretching skin. It’s been shown to prevent the appearance of stretch marks in 89 percent of its users, while offering gentle hydration to dry pregnancy skin. Though it is a bit on the pricier side compared to other options on this list, the results from Trofolastin speak for themselves. To apply, simply massage the cream onto your skin twice daily.

If Trofolastin is first on our list, Bio-Oil comes in as a close second (not to mention it was voted Best Belly Oil in the 2024 Pregnancy-Safe Beauty Awards). Many members of the WTE community recommend Bio-Oil as their holy-grail solution, with some saying even their mothers used it during their pregnancies. Bio-Oil is also approved by dermatologists and OB/GYNs as pregnancy-safe, with Monte Swarup, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., a board-certified OB/GYN in Chandler, Arizona, confirming its safety for use during pregnancy.

So why is Bio-Oil so popular? Many users love how the non-greasy formula absorbs easily into the skin and leaves it feeling hydrated all day.Its combination of vitamin E and A, along with chamomile and lavender oil, works together to fade the appearance of stretch marks while soothing the skin. You can also use it on other areas of your body, including your face, without worrying about clogged pores. The best part? The vegan-friendly, paraben-free formula can be used after pregnancy to help with scars or uneven skin tone. There’s a lot to love here! Just check with your doctor before testing it out, as some healthcare providers warn against using products with vitamin A during pregnancy or while nursing.

You may also want to check your smell sensitivity beforehand. Karla Martin, What to Expect's Senior Photo Editor, found that even though the scent was mild, it was a bit too strong for her to handle during the latter half of her pregnancy. She did, however, go back to using it once her baby was born, citing that the oil "felt so luxurious."

Compared to Burt’s Bees Belly Butter, Earth Mama Belly Butter is a lighter formula that absorbs quickly into skin and locks in hydration. The formula uses organic ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, calendula blossom and borage seed oil to nourish and soothe dry skin, while potentially helping skin regain its natural elasticity. Keep in mind that this cream is also lightly scented, but the brand claims that it’s light enough not to aggravate morning sickness and many WTE moms-to-be say they enjoy the scent. However, if you’ve been more sensitive to smells during pregnancy, that’s something to consider before buying. On top of using it on your belly, Earth Mama Belly Butter is safe and gentle enough to use on breasts and thighs for an added dose of moisture.