We’ve compiled a list of the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy, so you can progress through the trimesters gracefully and love the skin you’re in.
The problem is, most stretch mark creams are simply moisturizers with good marketing. Your skin needs more than surface-level butters that keep it soft. Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic actually reach the dermis where marks form, which is why the top stretch mark products feature these ingredients. Learn more about the best pregnancy stretch mark creams below.
Key Takeaways
- Stretch marks form when skin stretches faster than the dermis can rebuild, mostly during the second and third trimesters.
- Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid are the only ingredients with strong clinical evidence for prevention.
- Oils and serums absorb faster. Butters and creams hold moisture on the surface for longer.
The Struggle With Stretch Marks
Between 50% and 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks. You’ll see them across the belly and hips during the second and third trimesters when growth is fastest. You may even encounter stretch marks on your breasts, legs, and arms. Genetics play a bigger role than anything else, but how much weight is gained and how quickly both factor in.
The marks form below the surface as the dermis tears when skin stretches too fast for collagen to keep up. That’s why products that simply moisturize the outer layer fall short on prevention. The best stretch mark cream for pregnancy has to work deeper than the epidermis.
How We Chose the Best Pregnancy Stretch Mark Creams
Ingredients are by far the most important factor. Cocoa butter alone doesn’t cut it. We ranked products with Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid higher because they do more than just moisturize dry, irritated skin as it stretches.
The other major filter we looked at products through was pregnancy safety. You won’t see anything with retinoids at concerning levels. You can rest assured the best pregnancy stretch mark cream is not going to be harmful for you or your little one.
You can also trust that you’re going to love the texture and scent enough to apply the product daily for six months straight, even through the morning sickness.
We didn’t choose the top 10 pregnancy stretch mark products based on price alone, but per-ounce value. A $9 bottle with no clinical actives is not a better deal than a $47 serum with the only two ingredients backed by dermatological research. You get what you pay for!
10 Best Stretch Mark Creams For Pregnancy
Our team tested the 10 most recommended stretch mark creams on the market and ranked them based on the criteria we laid out above. All of them belong in the conversation, but the #1 choice is the one backed by real evidence for stretch mark prevention.
1. 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum
Why We Chose it
- Only product with both Centella Asiatica and Triple-Weighted Hyaluronic Acid
- Absorbs past the surface into the dermis where marks form
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- 10% off with subscription
Watch Out For
- $47 per bottle is definitely not cheap
- Only sold online at 8sheep.com
8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum is the product on this list with the two ingredients the AAD says work wonders for stretch mark prevention: Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid. Most others include either only one or neither.
The stretch mark serum absorbs into the dermis instead of just coating the skin surface like butters do. Don’t get us wrong, moisturizing creams help with the itching - but they’re not going to get into the layer of the skin where stretch marks actually form. You came here looking for the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy, not the best moisturizer. There’s a difference.
However, the serum is super hydrating as well. It’s the best of both worlds. This formula has a 30% moisture content that activates on contact, so you don’t have to wait around before getting dressed, either.
The catch is cost. $47 is among the most expensive options you’ll find, but it’s worth every penny according to expecting mothers. You can try it risk free with a 100-day guarantee, and a subscription brings your price down 10%. It’s the #1 stretch mark cream on the market right now.
2. Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter
Why We Chose it
- Oregon Tilth Certified Organic
- Scent designed not to trigger morning sickness
- Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free
Watch Out For
- No Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid
- Functions as a moisturizer, not a targeted treatment
Earth Mama doesn’t have clinical actives - the brand goes all-in on organic botanicals such as Calendula, borage seed oil, shea, and olive oil, rooibos, and neroli.
The butter goes on super thick but it actually absorbs faster than most butters. The texture sits in the sweet spot between a lotion and a heavy cream. That means it layers well under clothing without leaving a weird film behind that bothers you all day.
The scent is the real selling point. First-trimester nausea makes strong-smelling pregnancy stretch mark creams unusable. Earth Mama made theirs with this in mind. Medical News Today named it the best stretch mark cream for morning sickness! Solid pick at $23.99 for 8 ounces.
3. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Oil
Why We Chose it
- Cheapest option on this list at $8.99
- Lightweight oil that absorbs without residue
- Free from mineral oil and parabens
Watch Out For
- Cocoa butter performs no better than a placebo in clinical studies
- 3.4 oz bottle is smaller than most competitors
You’ve probably stumbled across Palmer's along your search for stretch marks during pregnancy. This Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Oil has been around for decades, and it’s by far the cheapest option you have at just $8.99. You get what you pay for, though.
The formula pairs cocoa butter with collagen, elastin, moringa, and baobab oils. Palmer's says 98% of women see more elasticity and texture in their testing. But independent research on cocoa butter itself has found it does not outperform placebo for actually preventing marks. Yeah, the added oils help. But how much? That’s hard to say with any level of certainty.
Nevertheless, it absorbs fast with no greasy film and works fine under clothing. It’s a really good daily moisturizer at an even better price, but it’s hard to call it the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy based on clinical data. Perhaps the most accessible and recognized stretch mark cream during pregnancy. Just set your expectations on actual stretch mark performance.
4. Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
Why We Chose it
- Cepalin alongside hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica
- #1 doctor-recommended stretch mark brand
- Visible improvement at 4 weeks, peak results at 12
Watch Out For
- Price varies by retailer (roughly $38 for 5.29 oz)
- Thicker cream consistency that can feel a little heavy
Mederma is the only other product on this list that features both Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid besides 8 Sheep. It also relies on cepalin, a botanical onion bulb extract, along with hydrolyzed collagen and soy protein for surface-level texture support.
The brand boasts a #1 doctor-recommended claim, which comes from a third-party survey of U.S. physicians. Mederma says you could see visible improvement in four weeks, and peak results at 12 weeks.
The cream is thicker than most others on this list, so expect slower absorption but a longer moisture window. It might take some getting used to if you put it on in the morning and head out for the day. Or, maybe you just save this one for when you’re at home lounging around.
Whatever the case, it’s a premium pick at around $38 for 5.29 ounces. It packs quite a few proven actives into the tube, so it’s a solid value for the money.
5. Mustela Maternity Stretch Marks Cream
Why We Chose it
- 3-in-1 formula for prevention, reduction, and hydration
- 96% natural origin (ISO 16128)
- Made in France, B Corp certified
Watch Out For
- No Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid
- $37 for 8.45 oz is expensive relative to what you’re getting
Mustela has been a European maternity care staple for decades, so it should come as no surprise it’s featured on a list of the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy.
The Stretch Marks Cream 3 in 1 uses avocado peptides and maracuja polyphenols. Neither has as much independent research behind it as Centella Asiatica, but Mustela's own testing says it works well for preventing new marks while minimizing the appearance of existing ones.
Another reason Mustela ranked so high is its 96% natural origin formula (measured by ISO 16128 standard). We’re passionate about ingredient transparency, and this brand aligns with our standards. It’s compatible with breastfeeding and backed by both dermatological and gynecological testing.
You’re also getting the biggest tube on this list at 8.45 ounces, which makes the $37 price tag a little easier to stomach. May not have the same caliber of clinical ingredients as 8 Sheep and Mederma, but Mustela's French pharmaceutical pedigree keeps it in the top five.
6. Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
Why We Chose it
- 99% natural formula
- Zero fragrance (rare for belly butters)
- $13.99 for 6.5 oz
Watch Out For
- No clinical actives for stretch mark prevention
- Jar packaging means dipping fingers in
- The label says you must wipe off breasts before nursing
You might know them more for their chapstick, but Burt's Bees makes a really great pregnancy butter for stretch marks as well. It’s one of the simpler options on this list, which we appreciate. Seven plant oils and butters, no fragrance at all. That means you don’t have to worry about off-putting or strong scents triggering your morning sickness!
It’s also a hard option to beat on price alone at $13.99 for 6.5 ounces. Just be aware of what you’re not getting in the formula - no Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid means this will not prevent marks on its own.
At the end of the day, this is more of a moisturizer than it is a treatment. It still has its place for keeping skin comfortable through months of stretching, especially at a low cost. But you might find that you need something more targeted for keeping stretch marks at bay.
7. Belli Stretch Mark Minimizing Cream
Why We Chose it
- Darutoside and Regestril target existing marks
- Up to 72% depth reduction and 52% length reduction in clinical data
- OB/GYN recommended, safe for pregnancy and nursing
Watch Out For
- Has retinyl palmitate, which some dermatologists flag for pregnancy
- Built for reducing existing marks, not prevention
Most products on this list are all about stretch mark prevention - because it’s actually really difficult to eliminate existing stretch marks. However, Belli makes a strong case for correction.
This cream brings together Darutoside and Regestril, two plant extract complexes with strong clinical support showing up to 72% reduction in mark depth and 52% in length.
It’s the only product on this list designed around reducing marks rather than preventing them. Avocado oil and shea butter deliver much-needed moisture alongside ginseng root extract and caffeine.
It’s not cheap at $29 for 6.5 ounces, but it claims to do something no other product on the list can. The real red flag is the retinyl palmitate during pregnancy. A lot of dermatologists have raised concerns about it. This might be something you rely on after giving birth and breastfeeding. You can use a gentler preventative formula like 8 Sheep in the meantime.
8. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Why We Chose it
- PurCellin Oil absorbs fast with no greasy film
- Handles scars and stretch marks in one product
- Dermatologist recommended, non-comedogenic
Watch Out For
- Contains retinyl palmitate, a concerning ingredient during pregnancy
- Not designed specifically for pregnant users
Bio-Oil is actually one of the only products on this list that isn’t marketed towards expectant mothers. It’s used by anyone who is struggling with stretch marks or scars.
The lightweight PurCellin Oil base absorbs fast, which has kept it a medicine cabinet staple for years. It works on the face and body, and it’s a non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog pores.
What’s in it, then? Botanical oils like calendula and lavender alongside vitamins A and E. more concerningly, though, retinyl palmitate. The same ingredient we just spoke about being potentially problematic with Belli. In general, dermatologists suggest skipping all vitamin A derivatives until after delivery.
At any rate, it’s a decent option for the money at $17 for 4.2 ounces. Like Belli, though, we think it’s better as a postpartum pick for fading marks than as the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy. Rely on something safer for prevention in the meantime.
9. Bumpology Bump Butter
Why We Chose it
- Physician-formulated with all-natural ingredients
- 24-hour moisture from one application
- Made in an FDA-registered facility
Watch Out For
- 4 oz jar is small for $29
- Vanilla scent may be a problem in the first trimester
- No clinical actives for targeted prevention
Bumpology brings together some of our favorite plant-based ingredients - shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, and argan plus sunflower oils. All-natural label, no synthetics in the jar. It’s a physician-formulated 2-in-1 that can provide lasting moisture for 24 hours.
It’s in the middle-of-the-pack as far as cost goes at $29 for 4 ounces, but that actually makes it pretty expensive considering the butter has zero clinical actives. The vanilla scent is subtle but has gotten some mixed reviews among pregnant women.
Not a bad butter with clean ingredients brought together in an FDA-registered facility. Just don’t expect it to do anything groundbreaking without any standout actives.
10. The Honest Company Glow On Body Oil
Why We Chose it
- Five plant oils, no synthetic ingredients
- Hypoallergenic and toxicologist-audited
- No synthetic fragrances
Watch Out For
- No stretch mark-specific clinical ingredients
- $17.99 for 4.2 oz isn’t the best value
Finally, we have a body oil from the Honest Company - as the name suggests, you can trust this manufacturer for clean formulations. This particular product is a perfect example. Sunflower and jojoba oils are the base with coconut and avocado for moisture. It also has chamomile and vitamin E.
Nothing synthetic or flagged for pregnancy. That’s part of why new parents turn to the brand in the first place - it takes a lot of stress out of adding anything to your regimen while you’re expecting. Hypoallergenic testing and a toxicologist audit add even more assurance.
But notice what you’re not getting - no Centella Asiatica or hyaluronic acid means this is a moisturizer, not necessarily the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy when you need targeted support. Clean formula, clean brand, just not something you should expect to make a massive difference in skin appearance. It’ll definitely moisturize your skin, though!.
Comparing the Best Pregnancy Stretch Mark Creams
|
Product |
Type |
Price |
Size |
Centella Asiatica |
Hyaluronic Acid |
Best For |
|
8 Sheep True Belly Serum |
Serum |
$47 |
N/A |
Yes |
Yes |
Clinical prevention with AAD-backed ingredients |
|
Earth Mama Belly Butter |
Butter |
$23.99 |
8 fl oz |
No |
No |
Organic formula safe for morning sickness |
|
Palmer's Massage Oil |
Oil |
$8.99 |
3.4 fl oz |
No |
No |
Budget-friendly daily moisture |
|
Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy |
Cream |
~$38 |
5.29 oz |
Yes |
Yes |
#1 doctor-recommended clinical formula |
|
Mustela Stretch Marks Cream |
Cream |
~$37 |
8.45 fl oz |
No |
No |
Premium natural formula, largest tube |
|
Burt's Bees Belly Butter |
Butter |
$13.99 |
6.5 oz |
No |
No |
Fragrance-free, affordable daily use |
|
Belli Minimizing Cream |
Cream |
$29 |
6.5 fl oz |
No |
No |
Reducing existing stretch marks |
|
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil |
Oil |
~$17 |
4.2 fl oz |
No |
No |
Multi-purpose scar and stretch mark oil |
|
Bumpology Bump Butter |
Butter |
$29 |
4 oz |
No |
No |
Clean physician-formulated butter |
|
Honest Co. Glow On Oil |
Oil |
$17.99 |
4.2 fl oz |
No |
No |
Clean plant-based oil from trusted brand |
Which Type of Stretch Mark Product is Right For You?
We’ve ranked the 10 best pregnancy stretch mark creams on the market - but you’ll notice not all of these are creams in the traditional sense. That’s because oils, serums, lotions, and butters all have their place as well. Here’s what you need to know to narrow it down.
Oils and Serums
Lighter and faster-absorbing. Serums like 8 Sheep's True Belly Serum can actually penetrate the dermis where marks form. The trade-off is staying power. They don’t hold moisture as long as thicker products, so dry skin may need a second layer on top. Or, you just need to follow up with a second application before bed.
Creams, Lotions, and Butters
Thicker and longer-lasting. Mederma and Mustela creams absorb a bit slower and leave a protective layer. Burt's Bees and Earth Mama belly butters for stretch marks are the heaviest options. They’re best applied at night when there’s time for full absorption.
Ingredients to Look For in the Best Stretch Mark Cream For Pregnancy
There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding stretch marks, and what actually works to minimize their appearance - or prevent them in the first place. Some ingredients have clinical data for stretch marks. Others are just there to make your skin feel better. Know the difference.
- Centella Asiatica (gotu kola): This ingredient has the most research behind it. Clinical trials show that consistent use leads to fewer marks.
- Hyaluronic acid: The AAD lists it alongside Centella as worth using for stretch mark prevention, which is why it’s included in 8 Sheep and Mederma on this list.
- Vitamin E: Shows up in most products on this list, but it’s just a general skin antioxidant. No real evidence for stretch marks specifically.
- Shea butter: Good moisture barrier. Comfort ingredient, not a stretch mark treatment.
- Cocoa butter: Most popular choice for decades, but it has never outperformed a placebo in prevention studies.
There are other hydrating and nourishing ingredients worth looking for as well, but these are the big ones you’ll see on the label. Be aware of which ones move the needle on stretch marks and which are just there for moisturizing benefits.
What Should You Stay Away From?
Ingredients that work for stretch mark prevention or reduction are only half of the equation - you also want to steer clear of these in the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy:
- Retinoids: Skip retinol and tretinoin during pregnancy. Retinyl palmitate (in Bio-Oil and Belli on this list) is debated.
- High-dose salicylic acid: Low topical concentrations are fine. Higher doses are not.
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15 are the names to watch for.
- Synthetic fragrances: Can hide undisclosed ingredients. Go unscented or naturally scented.
Anything you put on your skin can make its way into your bloodstream and could pose a risk to your little one. Go through ingredient lists with a fine-tooth comb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pregnancy stretch mark creams actually work?
Some of them do, like products with Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid. They have clinical evidence behind them. Use the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy twice daily through the second and third trimesters to give it a real chance.
When should I start using stretch mark cream when pregnant?
First trimester, before marks show up. Getting ahead of them is far easier than minimizing their appearance after they’ve formed.
What is the number one stretch mark cream during pregnancy?
8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum is the only product on this list that pairs Centella Asiatica with Triple-Weighted Hyaluronic Acid. It gets past the surface into the dermis, and the 100-day guarantee means you can try it with peace of mind. It’s the best pregnancy stretch mark oil.
How do I use stretch mark creams and oils?
Twice daily for most organic pregnancy products. We recommend applying to damp skin after a shower. Belly and hips first, then breasts and thighs. Massage for 30 to 60 seconds for a circulation boost that maximizes absorption.
Can I start using a stretch mark product with retinol after I give birth?
Retinol is fair game once breastfeeding is done. It speeds up cell turnover and fades marks faster than most other options. Ask a dermatologist first if you’re still nursing, though.
