Claims: "Decreases the appearance of existing stretch marks" with the use of Darutoside (a botanical ingredient shown to help with the texture and size of stretch marks) and Registril (a combo of plant extracts shown to improve stretch marks' depth and color)
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
Results: "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
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." The product claims to do so using a number of plant oils, including anti-inflammatory Calendula and Chamomile oils.
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
Claims: "Minimizes imperfections and reduces the visible appearance of cellulite and stretch marks." The product's active ingredients include cayenne pepper, which supports circulation, and Cat's Claw, a plant extract shown to reduce dimpled skin.
Pros: Smells nice and dries quickly
Cons: Expensive, tingles, must be applied twice daily, recommended for use along with several other Murad products
Comments: "Used with Murad's Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack, $138, 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
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Stretch Mark Cream: The Conclusion
Our whole lives, we've watched moms-to-be and plenty of other women slather themselves in stretch mark cream. But is it all for naught?
According to our reviewers, when stretch mark cream contains dermatologist-approved ingredients and is used consistently over several months, skin quality improves and (newer, non-white) stretch marks fade slightly. However, if a product claims to eliminate stretch marks completely, take it with a grain of salt.
Your body works hard to accommodate impressive changes like pregnancy and swift weight gain or loss. And though some stretch mark creams (paired with a lot of patience) can help, don't feel obligated to annihilate your stretch marks as if they're something a body shouldn't have. If you have new, dark-colored stretch marks and are willing to commit to daily use over two or three months, have at it. You may notice results.
Otherwise, take a cue from supermodel Chrissy Teigen (our personal stretch mark icon) and learn to embrace your stretchies.
It takes commitment to apply stretch mark cream two to three times daily over the course of several months. So if it doesn't really work, wouldn't you like to know before buying one?
"Stretch mark creams containing ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids combined with retinol (or vitamin A), cayenne pepper, tiger's herb, vitamin C — anything that encourages collagen or elastin (elastic tissue) production and circulation — can help," says dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad, MD.
With that in mind, our testers tried three popular stretch mark creams for eight weeks, none of which made stretch marks vanish (even the packaging of some products admit "no topical formulation can completely eliminate stretch marks"). Still, some products left testers oohing and aahing at their results. Find out which products and ingredients made a difference.
