How To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy: Ingredients That Actually Work (And Ones That Don’t)

A natural outcome of your belly’s skin stretching to accommodate your baby, stretch marks prevention can feel like the stuff of myths and fairytales. But to be honest, it is possible. At least to an extent. All you need to do is use the right ingredients, which can minimise the appearance of visible lines, thus helping your skin go back to normal faster post pregnancy.  That said, using the right ingredients isn’t everything. You should also know which ones to avoid. So let us give you both the sides of the same coin of stretch marks prevention in today’s article. 

Ingredients That Actually Work For Stretch Marks Prevention 

From some expected to some new-age, you will find a mix of proven ingredients here that have worked in the past and continue to find their way into some of the most effective stretch marks creams in the market. 

Hyaluronic Acid 

Moisture loss directly impacts the elasticity of your skin. Dryer skin is bound to develop more visible stretch marks lines, which makes hydrating your belly the need of the hour. Hyaluronic Acid can be very useful in this regard. Studies show that it improves both skin elasticity and the appearance of visible lines while keeping your skin soft and supple. 

STRIOVER™

Did you know there are few STRIOVER™ creams available in the market? You only have a handful of options to pick from such as ThriveCo, Cos-IQ and AreoVeda’s Stretch Marks Cream. Not a bad thing, if you ask us. It simplifies choice while giving you the full benefits of STRIOVER™, which is one of the best ingredients for stretch marks prevention.  

A combination of Chinese herbs like Codonopsis pilosula extract and Astragalus membranaceus root extract, STRIOVER™ improves the firmness and elasticity of your skin while hydrating and soothing to keep irritations and itching at bay. Try it. It really works! 

Centella 

Centella Asiatica is a K-Beauty favourite ingredient that is widely used in Korean skincare products. Stretch mark creams with it are known as cica creams and their purpose is to heal scarring and visible damage. They also reduce inflammation and can reduce stretch mark lines with regular use. 

Aloe Vera 

There’s nothing this age old ingredient can’t fix! The gel from Aloe Vera leaves is a cooling agent that soothes irritated skin while hydrating it in a non-greasy manner. Its therapeutic exercise may even promote stretch marks reduction! All said and done, you can say goodbye to the redness and itchiness that are a normal byproduct of pregnancy stretch marks.

Coconut Oil 

Virgin Coconut Oil has always been a traditional home remedy for skin dryness. Apparently, it can be useful in preventing stretch marks too. As a naturally moisturising agent, it works wonders for skin infections and wounds, speeding up the recovery of both. If you use it daily to massage your belly right from Day One of your pregnancy, you might not get visible ridges or lines. 

Ingredients That Don’t Work For Stretch Marks Prevention 

The following might be hyped as stretch marks prevention and treatment methods but there is no real evidence to back up their claims: 

• Body Butters: Whether Shea or Cocoa, none of them are known to boost collagen production, which actually helps in stretch marks reduction. They are intensely hydrating though. 
• Vitamin E Oil: Even though it is widely sold as a treatment for all types of scars, there is no clinical evidence to support if they can heal stretch mark scars. 
• Almond Oil & Olive Oil: While there is no denying that both these oils will hydrate the outer layer of your skin, they will not help in restoring its elasticity, which is exactly what your skin needs for stretch marks reduction. 

Don’t get us wrong. These ingredients are extremely hydrating but they do not directly contribute to stretch marks prevention or reduction in any meaningful way. On the flipside, they might not cause any side effects either if you are not allergic. 

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Conclusion 

Stretch marks prevention is not a game of luck, it’s a game of strategy. By incorporating the right mix of safe and natural ingredients into your pregnancy skincare routine, you can reduce the odd s of visible lines and marks. Try to find creams that are pregnancy-safe and start using them early for the best results.