What to Look for in a Stretch Mark Cream, According to Dermatologists
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Stretch marks: nearly everyone gets them. Lately their visibility has become more widely embraced (thank you, Chrissy Teigen). For those of you who want to reduce their appearance, however, we've reached out to dermatologists for expert advice. The first step is understanding why they happen. "Stretch marks are essentially due to dermal collagen tears," board certified dermatologist Audrey Kunin says. "Rapid weight gain or loss and genetics play a role in their formation, and the underlying cuase seems to be a loss of elastic tissue. Replenishing this proves very difficult," adds Ted Lain, board certified dermatologist and chief medical officer at Sanova Dermatology.
As for what to look for in a stretch mark product, Kunin advises "ingredients that support collagen health" to improve the appearance of stretch marks. She elaborates, "A combination of high potency Vitamin C and peptides are ideal as they work in different ways to help support and strengthen collagen."
According to Lain, stretch mark creams lack research supporting their effectiveness, but if anything would help it'd be "a cream or lotion with retinol or retinaldehyde, since these ingredients stimulate collagen production which may help to diminish the indentation of stretch marks." Kunin also suggests 1% retinol: "It helps exfoliate and smooth out the appearance of stretch marks and even the appearance of skin tone." Another key tip? Use sun protection (it's of "paramount importance," Lain says).
Now that you've got the experts' tips for reducing stretch marks, shop solutions ahead.
StriVectin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles
StriVectin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles
Used twice a day, this anti-aging body cream is beloved by devotees for promoting collagen production.
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ferulic acid are the power trio behind this serum. It is lightweight and claims to improve skin elasticity, smoothness, and firmness.
Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
Vitamin E and hylauronic acid tag team to lighten discoloration, elasticity, and encourage collagen production. Mederma is also a top pick from BestProducts.com.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulict Treatment
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulict Treatment
This miracle Vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid treatment brightens and evens out skin tone, multitasking to not only address sun and environmental damage but stretch marks, too.
LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream Moisturizer
This Amazon-famous treatment (it has 4.3 stars and nearly 3,000 reviews), is a solid retinol-first moisturizer boosted by Vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. All marks and scars on the skin are said to fade with regular use.
Advanced Clinicals Retinol Cream
This no-frills cream fights wrinkles, marks, and all other signs of aging. And, it comes in a giant size (with an affordable price) so you can slather it across all trouble areas.
Belli Stretchmark Minimizing Cream
Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and peptides in this cream collaborate to help repair stretch marks. One Dermstore reviewer who used it during pregnancy even claims she started seeing results in just a week.
Dermadoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive 1% Retinol
Dermadoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive 1% Retinol
Despite having 1% retinol, which can be irritating to skin, this lotion is gentle. Its super powers include speeding up cell turnover and stimulating collagen production to fade marks.
Super Retinol (+ Vitamin C) Night Renewal Moisturizer
This anti-aging, powerful retinol cream contains all of the powerhouse ingredients you need to reduce stretch marks: vitamins C and E for elasticity, nourishing shea butter, and plumping ferulic acid.
Results for this popular stretch mark cream start showing in four weeks—and even on older stretch marks. As one Sephora reviewer wrote, six months of once daily use reduced her year-old stretch marks significantly.
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