Do Stretch Mark Creams Work?
Belli Motherhood Stretch mark Minimizing Cream, $52
Key ingredients: Darutoside and registril *
Claims: "Decreases the appearance of existing stretch marks"
Pros: Safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, contains natural and organic ingredients, free of dyes, parabens and phthalates, easy to apply, short drying time
Cons: Expensive, must be used twice daily for first month
Comments: "True to this product's word, it is a 'minimizing cream,' not a 'disappearing cream.' I started using the [citrus-scented] cream a week after having my third child, and although I can't say my stretch marks are gone, I can say that their color has faded and my skin [texture] is much smoother." -- Robin
* See page 7 for an ingredient glossary
Key ingredients: Vitamins A and E, lavender, calendula and rosemary oils, chamomile extract *
Claims: "Highly effective in helping to improve the appearance of existing stretch marks ... helps to increase the elasticity of the skin, thereby helping to reduce the possibility of new stretch marks forming."
Pros: Goes on smoothly, non-greasy, no drying time, pleasant fragrance, possibly preventative
Cons: Lack of visible results
Comments: "Overall this product didn't produce any noticeable results for me; my stretch marks appear to be the same as before." -- Kristen
* See page 7 for an ingredient glossary
Klein-Becker StriVectin-SD, $135
Key ingredients: Striadril complex, sesame and sweet almond oils, cocoa and shea butters *
Claims: "Dramatically reduces the appearance of existing stretch mark length, depth, and texture, and discoloration ... visible improvement of tone and texture"
Pros: Visible results
Cons: Expensive, inconvenient, uncomfortable (skin itched a bit), requires drying time, has a lingering, unpleasant scent
Comments: "Applying the product three times a day was challenging. It took only two weeks to see initial results [on fresh stretch marks], and satisfying results came two months later. The amount of product used is irrelevant; it's more important to apply it correctly and consistently." -- Nancy
* See page 7 for an ingredient glossary
Murad Firm and Tone Serum, $75
Key ingredients: Cayenne pepper, horse nut tree extract, tiger's herb and cat's claw *
Claims: "Minimizes imperfections and reduces the visible appearance of cellulite and stretch marks"
Pros: Doesn't smell bad and dries quickly
Cons: Expensive, tingles, must be applied twice daily, recommended for use with several other Murad products
Comments: "[Used with Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack], I noticed slight differences such as improved skin tone, less noticeable cellulite that must have been smoothed out ... and less redness in new stretch marks. But distinct white stretch marks that formed long ago stuck around along with some cellulite." -- Debra
* See page 7 for an ingredient glossary
Murad Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack, $135
Key ingredients: Vitamins A, C, D and E, fish oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil, gotu kola extract *
Claims: "Helps to improve the visual texture of stretch marks by up to 47 percent"
Pros: Pills come in convenient one-serving, to-go packs
Cons: Expensive; seven pills morning and night plus use of other recommended Murad products equals big hassle
Comments: "After religious use [with Murad Firm and Tone Serum], there was no visible improvement in my stretch marks but the skin on my face looked radiant from the antioxidant supplements and my digestive system operated smoothly from the vitamins." -- Divya
* See page 7 for an ingredient glossary
AMBI Soft & Even Stretch Mark Diminishing Body Oil, $7.99
Key ingredients: Soybean and sweet almond oils, vitamin E, rose hip fruit extract, shea butter *
Claims: "Clinically shown to minimize the appearance of stretch marks ... in as little as four weeks."
Pros: Moisturizing, smoothing, lightweight, bottle easily sprays at most angles
Cons: Must be applied twice daily, drying time required (though short), sweet almond-shea butter scent falls somewhere between pleasant and pungent
Comments: "New stretch marks appeared less red within four weeks while old, white stretch marks felt less rigid. My skin was also much smoother where the product was applied, making me more comfortable with my stretch marks." -- Charli
* Next: What the key ingredients in stretch mark treatments actually do
Glossary of Key Ingredients
Calendula oil - thought to have healing, anti inflammatory and anti-fungal properties
Cat's claw - tropical vine used for medicinal purposes and believed to boost the immune system. Also believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Cayenne pepper - bel
ieved to stimulate circulation and blood flow to the skin
Chamomile extract - known for soothing, anti-inflammatory properties as well as abilities to improve tissue regeneration and help heal wounds
Cocoa butter - a natural vegetable fat extracted from cacao seeds (cocoa beans), it has strong moisturizing abilities, antioxidant properties and possible anti-inflammatory properties
Darutoside - obtained from the herb siegesbeckia orientalis, this herbal complex is used to sooth inflammation and stimulate wound healing through tissue regeneration
Fish oil - contains omega-3 fatty acids believed to help regulate cellular function, decrease inflammation, limit sebum production and maintain elasticity and suppleness of skin
Flaxseed oil - rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and omega-3 fatty acids
Horse nut tree extract - an antioxidant that stimulates circulation to promote collagen production, fights inflammation and strengthens capillaries
Lavender oil - moisturizes and is believed to help heal wounds and burns by helping reduce the formation of scar tissue
Registril - according to Belli Specialty Skin Care, this ingredient was shown in a clinical study to decrease the appearance of a stretch mark's depth, however, we were unable to find another source to back up or further elaborate on this claim
Rose hip fruit extract - naturally contains vitamins C and A and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent
Next: Glossary of Key Ingredients continued ...
Glossary of Key Ingredients
Rosemary oil - moisturizes and may help reduce the formation of scar tissue
Sesame oil - a source of vitamin E that contains omega-6 fatty acids
Shea butter - derived from the seed of the shea tree, it has both moisturizing and healing properties
Striadril complex - contains palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, a form of peptides shown to increase collagen production and help wounds heal faster, and palmitoyl oligopeptide, a form of peptide suggested to stimulate collagen production
Soybean oil - rich in antioxidants like vitamins A and E, this emollient derived from soybeans readily absorbs into skin
Sweet almond oil - extracted from almond kernels, this lightweight emollient contains unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids
Tiger's herb (centella asiatica or gotu kola) - native to Sri Lanka and parts of Asia and Australia, the plant is believed to aid wound healing and help stimulate collagen production
Vitamin A - aka retinol, aids in the look of healthy skin with antioxidant properties and the ability to stimulate cell renewal and collagen
Vitamin C - an antioxidant that stimulates cell renewal, circulation and production of collagen and elastin
Vitamin D - Vitamin D3, produced photochemically in the skin, is required to protect against infection and help skin repair
Vitamin E - an antioxidant believed to help encouraging skin healing, moisturize and reduce scarring
Next: Why stretch marks occur
Why Stretch Marks Occur
When you quickly increase in size, you stretch the elastin in your skin (located in the dermis) and ultimately cause it to break down. "Think of it as pulling a rubber band," says Dr. Murad. "If you keep stretching and stretching, it doesn't come back to the same shape."
As for improving their appearance, sadly any marks that have turned white are ones you may need to learn to love. "If stretch marks are relatively new (usually dark in color), you should see results within three months of daily application," Murad says. "If they're white and have been around for years, everything in the skin has been damaged. I'm not sure a cream can do a lot of good, though it's worth a try. It may take five to six months to show results."
Image: SkincareRx.com
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