The Best Stretch Mark Removal Creams That Actually Improve Your Skin’s Appearance, According to Our Editors

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If you have stretch marks, you aren't alone. Up to 90% of people have them somewhere on their body. They're nothing to be ashamed of and nothing you need to cover up. However, many of us, myself included, don't love the look of them, and that's where stretch mark creams come in. These super-moisturizers can help reduce the appearance of the stripes that form during pregnancy, a puberty growth spurt, rapid weight gain, or bulking up for athletic performance. They're easy to use, and they can really help.

Best Stretch Mark Creams

• Best Overall: Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy

• Best Budget: Cicatricure Scar and Body Gel

• Best for Fast Results: Body Merry Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream

• Best Collagen Cream: Body Boost Milk & Honey Stretch Mark Removal Cream Butter

• Best Patches: Aroamas Silicone Scar Sheets

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are incredibly common and nothing to stress over. They're essentially our body's way of showing change in growth and age. "Stretch marks are thought to be due to rapid skin expansion (such as from weight gain), and breaks in connective tissue and collagen found deep underneath the skin, says Board-Certified Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D.

You can get them any time you gain weight, and teens sometimes get them if they have a particularly speedy growth spurt during puberty. Skin expert Laura Dyer MSHS, PA-C, a dermatology and aesthetic specialist in New York City, tells Best Products that because of how stretch marks form, we're more susceptible to getting them during pregnancy because of how fast our bellies grow.

"It seems that some people have a genetic predisposition that makes getting stretch marks more likely — but you still need to have the appropriate situation — which is rapid growth of some sort," says Nazarian. And while not everyone gets them, they're extremely common.

Nazarian says that in the early phases of developing stretch marks, vascular laser treatments and topical retinoids can help minimize the redness. Retinol, however, is unsafe for use during pregnancy. (And according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, all supplement and cream forms of Vitamin A, which includes retinoids, are also unsafe for pregnancy.)

She adds that "Although studies have not shown it to have absolute effectiveness," she still suggests that people "apply liberal moisturizer to their skin and to massage skin when pregnant, anticipating that their risk for developing stretch marks is higher."

Ingredients to Look For

To help minimize the appearance of the stretch marks that you already have, Dyer notes that you should look for healing ingredients in effective stretch-mark prevention creams like vitamin A (but not while pregnant or breastfeeding) and vitamin E, along with cocoa, shea, and/or jojoba butters. Vitamin A helps the healing process and also assists with collagen production and pigmentation. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help with wound healing. Cocoa, shea, and jojoba butters are thick, well-tolerated moisturizers that penetrate deeply into the skin, helping to keep it supple and healthy.

Dyer has personally used Burt’s Bees Belly Butter and Bio-Oil during her pregnancy and has said she's had “zero” stretch marks. Dyer also says you should use products that contain hyaluronic acid, which can tighten the skin and reduce inflammation to improve skin texture and help fade stretch marks over time.

You don't have to spend a ton to see great results, either."In terms of products, there are some great OTCs," said Dr. Nazarian. She prefers "products that are naturally anti-inflammatory, which have the potential to minimize damage to collagen fibers that lead to stretch marks," like those with Vitamins C and E.

She also advocates for a good antioxidant supplement like Heliocare, which contains 240 mg of leucotomos fern extract, which she says has been shown to support healthy skin in combination with sunscreen to keep collagen fibers healthy. She took it during her pregnancy, but you should talk to your OB-GYN before taking any supplement.

Creams with vitamins B and C, AHA/BHA, azelaic acid, and hyaluronic acid are considered safe during pregnancy. Vitamin E creams are up for debate and should be discussed with your provider before using.

Ingredients to Avoid

Avoid "any products or ingredients that have the potential to increase inflammation, especially when pregnant and skin is often increasingly sensitive," says Nazarian. That means "products with perfumes, added fragrances, or those that strip too much natural hydration from the skin, such as soaps with sulfates," are out.

How We Tested

Armed with our expert information, we researched the top creams on the market in terms of popularity and user reviews to determine which products to test. Then, we used them twice a day for 3 weeks. Our editors slathered their stretch marks with creams, butter, and oils to find the ones that are actually effective — and will finally make a noticeable change in your stretch marks. For the non-tested products, they were heavily researched across multiple platforms and retailers.

During the testing period, we looked out for a difference in texture (both the stretch mark and surrounding area), a change in the stretch marks’ appearance, and the scent and feel of the cream itself.

These are the best stretch mark creams worth buying in 2024 that we’ve kept on using ourselves.

Learn more about how we test products, from the questions we ask our testing team to the types of products we feel are actually worth testing to the overall time we put into our testing process.

Stretch Marks Therapy

Tester: Christine Anderson

Standout Result: Stretch-mark prevention during pregnancy

Starting in your second trimester, set aside time daily to stop stretch marks before they start. Massaging this thick cream into your skin until it's completely absorbed will be well worth the effort when you put on a swimsuit for the first time after giving birth!

Our executive director — who at the time of review was 36 weeks pregnant — has found that the Mederma Stretch Marks Removal Cream is the best prevention option out there. She slathered the cream on her belly and hips for 7 months and didn’t have a single stretch mark.

It's recommended to use it even while breastfeeding, too. You can thank one of the main ingredients for this — Cepalin, a proprietary onion extract. It reduces swelling and inflammation, naturally!

Mederma has been one of the most-recommended products in this category for a long time, and the combination of value, usefulness, and general feel, makes this our standout winner.

Face & Body Scar Gel, Scar Treatment for Old & New Scars

Through a combination of matricaria flower extract, onion bulb extract, and aloe, Cicatricure helps moisturize and improve the appearance of stretch marks, scars, and even acne marks. Users love its slippery feel, how well it absorbs into the skin, and the speed with which it starts working. Yes, you do need to apply it four times per day for the best results, but because it's completely clear, scentless, and absorbs quickly, there's not a lot of downtime needed if you need to throw clothes over the spot you've applied the gel to.

As a side note: Editor Cat Bowen recently used it on her wicked windburn and found it to be a cooling delight on her tarnished cheeks and chin.

Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream

Tester: Erica Murphy

Standout Result: Fast results

This defense cream starts working quickly to make stretch marks fade fast. The nourishing formula of organic cocoa butter, aloe, and antioxidant-rich green tea leaf extract is known for healing stretch marks.

According to Murphy, “The first few times I used this product, I was shocked at how much the product diminished the appearance of the stretch marks. I feel that because the product hydrated my skin so much, it lightened up the color of the stretch marks pretty significantly.”

While the moisturizing cream will give you noticeable results in about 2 weeks — with even better results after consistent use over the course of a few months — Murphy warns that the smell can be off-putting. She also recommends using the cream at night, since the texture is very rich and thick.

More: These Are the Nipple Balms All Breastfeeding Moms Need

Milk & Honey Stretch Mark Removal Cream Butter

Body Boost's collagen- and elastin-containing cream also has Gotu kola, a plant ingredient that aids in strengthening connective tissue for tighter skin. This formula also contains rosehip, grapeseed, jojoba, and borage oils. You can thank the shea butter base for the silky texture of the cream.

Users love that even though it's chock-full of oils and fruit essences, the scent is pleasant and not overpowering. It's not like you're slathering your body in scones and honey, but you will love the results.

Professional Silicone Scar Sheets

You won’t believe how easy this product is to use: Aroama’s silicone sheets are similar to the above by Dermaclara, except these are disposable and smaller in size. They’re perfect for areas like under a C-section scar or at the back of the hips.

It's a simple solution to a complex problem, and given how often we hear about this very product, we can confidently recommend it.

Advanced Silicone Scar Remover Gel

Tester: Cat Bowen

Standout Result: Better overall texture

Feeling a bit chicken-skinny or pulled too tight, but you don't love creams? This one is for you. The gel is colorless and odorless and dries quickly after application.

Our tester has been dealing with stretch marks for most of her life and was pleasantly surprised by how effective this cream was. “After a couple of weeks of use, the stretch marks on my legs and the sides of my stomach were much softer and didn’t feel like they were depressing my skin as much as they were before,” she said.

She recommends applying it liberally a few times per day and keeping it away from sunlight for the best results.

Stretch Mark Eraser

Finally, a new entrant into the stretch mark removal cream category. Marigoldbub's found Naina Jain tells Best Products that after she had her baby, she wanted something for her new stretch marks that worked without the traditional chemicals used in stretch mark removers. She relied on the plants of her heritage and came up with this formula that uses tamanu oil, which has historically been used by holistic practitioners to treat everything from bug bites to rheumatoid athritis and kola extract, which has been used to treat varicose veins to help skin heal itself.

The texture is thick and rich, and feels great on the skin, but we will caution that this one has a stronger, almost turmeric-esque scent that might not gel with some postpartum dog nose.

Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter Balm

Palmer's Tummy Butter is formulated with cocoa butter and shea butter, vitamin E, and an argan, almond, and coconut oil blend to provide ultimate moisture for the skin. It's also designed to keep skin soft and plump throughout pregnancy. It's recommended for nighttime use. Plus, it's hypoallergenic!

Multiuse Skincare Oil

Tester: Zarah Kavarana

Standout Result: Skin-texture smoothing

If Bio Oil is good enough for Kim Kardashian, then it's perfect for you, too! The mom of four swears by this classic oil as a daily body moisturizer.

Our tester also thinks that the highly hyped oil is one of the best options out there. She said, “My stretch marks are much less textured than they were a few weeks ago. In fact, I feel like I notice more of a difference in the texture of my skin than I do in the appearance.”

While it will take several months to see a huge difference in the appearance of the stretch marks, she confirmed that her “stretch marks are noticeably much less visible than they were just a few weeks ago.” However, the texture is a bit greasy, so she recommends avoiding form-fitting clothes right after use.

Maternity Stretch Mark Cream (4oz)

Tester: Daughter of Cat Bowen, Parenting Editor

Cat's teen daughter has been experiencing a common issue of puberty, getting stretch marks from a growth spurt. She grew more than 6 inches in a year and was feeling less comfortable in her skin because of the striations apparent on her legs and elbows. One of the people in her pediatrician's office recommended this as a potential solution, having used it herself and with her own child.

Giving it a try, her daughter used it for about 2 months before noting any change, but at 3 months, her skin was more elastic, and the marks didn't stand out as harshly against her tan skin. She also began using it as a preventative and hasn't had more stretch marks appear in the last few months.

It has a slippery texture but absorbs fairly quickly into the skin without leaving a heavy residue. She does note that it does have a fairly apparent fragrance that is a bit floral and powdery, but it's not unpleasant in any way.

100% Organic Stretch Mark Removal Cream

You're going to love this organic, unscented product that naturally promotes skin elasticity. Macadamia nut, grapeseed, and sweet almond oil are infused in this stretch-mark cream formula. It's the perfect go-to for prevention, or if your mommy marks are darker in color.

Users love the fact that this one has very little fragrance, and the formula is more like a lotion than a cream or gel.

Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert

Along with stretch marks often comes another postpartum reality — loose, saggy skin. This formula contains Clarins' exclusive PhytoStretchComplex, which is a blend of Centella Asiatica from Madagascar and organic green banana extracts. These ingredients encourage skin firmness and elasticity, diminishing the appearance of stretch marks.

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