Many inconveniences can occur during pregnancy including stretch marks. These streaks appear on the stomach, thighs or even the breasts. It is important to take care of your skin from the first months to prevent their appearance. Our selection of anti-stretch mark treatments.
A stretch mark is a small streak that forms on the skin. It is initially pinkish and slightly swollen and then carves out a white and pearly groove resembling a scar. Stretch marks are most often localized in the stomach, thighs, hips and breasts during pregnancy.
Why does pregnancy promote the appearance of stretch marks?
Several factors favor their appearance in pregnant women:
- weight gain. “Our skin may have a certain degree of resistance and elasticity, but it is subject to progressive distension which irritates it all along its height, which stretches its structures. Its elastic fibers and collagen can end up disorganizing completely and decrease in stretch marks ”, explains dermatologist Dr Clarence de Belilovsky.
- hormonal changes. “During these nine months, certain hormones (cortisol and estrogen) dry out and alter the skin barrier and reduce the effectiveness of fibroblasts, these cells that make elastin and collagen, essential for skin flexibility and resistance.”, Adds the specialist.
Set up a plan of attack from the start of pregnancy
Dr de Belilovsky insists: “Precocity and regularity are the key words to prevent the appearance of stretch marks”. To begin with, try as much as possible to limit your weight gain during pregnancy. And every day, from the first month, if you can, devote a moment to take care of your skin, after the shower for example. Never ignore hydration of the whole body. “It will boost elasticity and skin tone”, Specifies the dermatologist. After the hydration step, apply to areas prone to stretch marks an anti-stretch mark cream or oil specially designed to accompany pregnancy. “Full of 100% natural active ingredients, they will act directly on irritation / inflammation, itching, rebuild the skin barrier and help the production of support fibers ".
If stretch marks are already installed on the body, opt for ultra-targeted treatments that combine natural active ingredients of plant origin, vitamins and trace elements, and healing active ingredients to reduce the size of the streaks and reduce their color. They are to be applied twice a day (morning and evening) and preferably in palpate-roll massage. “The sooner the care is applied after the appearance of stretch marks, the better the result”Warns Dr de Belilovsky.
7 anti-stretch mark creams and oils for pregnant women
Many brands now offer anti-stretch mark products suitable for pregnant women.
Mustela Maternity certified organic stretch mark oil
This oil contains avocado oil, maracuja oil concentrate and organic sunflower oil. These ingredients of natural origin provide long-lasting hydration to the skin, improve the elasticity of the epidermis and soothe feelings of tightness. The dry oil penetrates quickly and does not leave the skin oily after application. It is applied as a massage morning and evening to stretch mark areas (except the breasts during breastfeeding).
Price (for 105 ml): € 15.99 at 1001Pharmacies
See the reviews on Beauté-test.
Clarins Complete Stretch Marks Treatment
This cream is enriched with centella asiatica extract, a plant that regenerates collagen and elastin fibers. It also contains crowberry extract known for its restorative action and olive extract with moisturizing properties.
This treatment is applied daily to areas prone to stretch marks as prevention because it strengthens the skin's resistance or to reduce emerging stretch marks.
Price (for 200 ml): 56 €
See the reviews on Beauté-test.
Biotherm Biovergetures Cream Gel
This gel-cream contains shea butter, algo silicone and hydroxyproline, compounds that improve the elasticity of the skin and reduce stretch marks already installed whether they are recent or not (their color fades and their size and depth decrease). This light-textured cream melts on the skin and leaves a light scent of violet and vanilla. To be applied daily on areas with stretch marks.
Price (for 150 ml): € 40.02 at 1001Pharmacies
See the reviews on Beauté-test.
Weleda Stretch Marks Massage Oil
This massage oil is rich in oils of sweet almond, organic jojoba, wheat germ and organic arnica extract. It improves the elasticity and tone of the skin. To apply in massages from the beginning of pregnancy to prevent or reduce stretch marks. This product can be used during the breastfeeding period.
Price (for 100 ml): € 12.74 at 1001Pharmacies
See the reviews on Beauté-test.
Bepanthen Cream Bepanthen Stretch Mark
This treatment contains extract of centella asiatica, a plant that stimulates the production of collagen fibers, provitamin B5 and glycerin to nourish the skin, and olive oil to strengthen the skin barrier. Apply daily from the first trimester of pregnancy and after childbirth.
Price (for 150 ml): € 19.95
See the reviews on Beauté-test.
Elancyl Stretch Marks Prevention Cream
This cream with a smooth texture is rich in safflower oil, very nourishing. It hydrates and softens the skin. Suitable for pregnant women from 4 months, the cream is applied twice a day to areas with stretch marks (avoid breasts if breastfeeding). Its effectiveness has been clinically tested: the appearance of stretch marks is limited from 2 months of application.
Price (for 150 ml): € 31.92 out of 1001Phamarcies
See the reviews on Beauté-test.
Phytolastil Ampoules – Stretch Mark Correction Serum from Lierac Laboratories
These ampoules contain a serum enriched with lady's mantle, ivy and horsetail, plants which restructure the epidermis. Highly concentrated, it promotes the regression of stretch marks already installed. Its non-greasy texture instantly penetrates the skin.
Price (20 x 5 ml): € 31.60
See the reviews on Beauté-test.
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Source: interview with Dr Clarence de Belilovsky, dermatologist.