Understanding when to start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy can be the difference between making it through to postpartum with zero marks and having battle scars to show for it.
Most people don’t realize that it’s more about stretch mark prevention than removal. That’s why we always advocate for using stretch mark serum as early as possible. Ideally in the first trimester. Order your first bottle as soon as you see those two little lines on the pregnancy test.
This way, your skin is already supple and elastic by the time your belly, hips, breasts, and thighs start growing. It can expand gracefully and bounce back without any tearing. Learn more below to support your skin through this exciting period of life!
Key Takeaways
- Stretch marks form as the dermis (deeper layer of skin) tears.
- Using stretch mark cream in the first trimester makes your skin more elastic before the real expansion begins in the second trimester.
- Most popular creams rely on cocoa butter or mineral oil, which don't reach the dermis.
- A stretch mark cream with Centella Asiatica and Hyaluronic Acid is the way to go.
- It’s never too late to start. You can still help fade existing marks in the second and third trimesters.
- 8 Sheep Organics makes the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy.
Why You Need a Stretch Mark Cream During Pregnancy
You know all too well that pregnancy comes with so many changes. The most obvious is that growing belly your little one resides in. But your hips, arms, thighs, and calves all start expanding, too.
You can gain as much as 30lbs during pregnancy. That’s a burden not just on your joints, but your skin. It stretches faster than new collagen can be produced, leading to tears in the dermis - the deeper layer of your skin. That’s the red, angry-looking stretch mark you see.
A stretch mark cream helps keep your skin more supple and elastic. It supplies ingredients that encourage your skin to boost collagen and elastin production. This way, the skin can actually stretch without tearing.
When to Start Using Stretch Mark Cream During Pregnancy
Our advice on when to start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy is actually really simple - as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
Ideally, During the First Trimester
We know that you have so many other things to worry about when you first realize you’re pregnant. Your baby is the size of a poppy seed by the time you get that positive pregnancy test result. Even at the end of the first trimester, they’re merely the size of a plum.
You aren’t even close to showing yet. So why bother with a stretch mark cream? Like we said from the start - it’s all about prevention. You can build up a good supply of extra collagen and elastin in the dermis (where stretch marks form) before it’s actually needed.
Think of it like this. You’re obviously not going to wait until your baby is here to start preparing their room. The same way a marathon runner wouldn’t start training the week before the race. You’re conditioning your skin so it’s ready to expand gracefully when the time comes!
Stay Consistent Through the Second and Third Trimesters
The second and third trimesters are obviously when you’ll grow the most. Don’t stop applying stretch mark cream just because you got a head start on it during the first trimester. Your skin is stretched to the absolute limit, and it needs support now more than ever.
Continue applying your stretch mark cream twice a day, every day. Skipping days means there’s a gap between what your skin needs to stay resilient and what it actually has.
Plus, a good stretch mark cream just feels good! Your skin is going to be really irritated the closer you get to birth as your belly stretches further and further. Nourish it. You deserve it!
Is it Ever “Too Late” to Start Using Stretch Mark Cream During Pregnancy?
Our advice on when to start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy is always as soon as you can. But that’s not to say you’re without hope if you’re reading this guide currently in your second trimester. Or even in your third trimester.
The fact of the matter is, you’ve probably developed some stretch marks already if you did nothing to support your skin up until this point. You can’t go back in time and change that. But there are two reasons to start using stretch mark cream now:
- You can prevent additional stretch marks from forming. Your skin is not done stretching, pretty much up until you give birth.
- You can fade the appearance of existing marks. New stretch marks are red or purple, and they’re definitely not pretty. But they can still be minimized. It’s the white, silvery-looking stretch marks that are permanent. Those are scars.
You know the old adage, better late than never? It applies here.
Can You Continue Using Stretch Mark Cream Postpartum?
You came here curious about when to START using stretch mark cream during pregnancy. But is there ever a time to stop using it? Not necessarily!
A lot of new moms continue to buy our True Belly Serum because stretch marks still form, even with proper preparation. The goal turns from prevention to treatment at that point. You can fade the appearance of stretch marks by continuing to use stretch mark cream after giving birth. You’re helping your skin recover and repair itself, and ideally, tighten back up ASAP!
What to Look For in a Pregnancy Stretch Mark Cream
What you’re actually putting on your skin is just as important as when to start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy. Maybe even more so. The vast majority of “stretch mark creams” on the market are merely moisturizers with a pregnancy label. They feel good, but are they really doing anything for your skin beyond making it feel soft on the surface? The answer is usually no.
Cocoa butter, for example, is among the most popular stretch mark ingredients on the market. But it doesn’t actually work any better than a placebo for stretch mark prevention or reduction, according to clinical studies.
Then there are products such as Bio Oil vs Mederma. You’ve heard such great things about them. Yet, they contain either mineral oil or onion extract as the main ingredient. Neither of these has any strong evidence for stretch mark prevention or reduction, either.
8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum is formulated with the two ingredients the AAD has said can actually help with stretch marks:
- Centella Asiatica: Gets deep into the dermis and encourages stronger collagen production, essentially making your skin more resilient.
- Triple-Weighted Hyaluronic Acid: Delivers three molecular weights of one of the most hydrating ingredients in skincare, so it doesn’t just sit on the surface. It can penetrate to where hydration is needed most (the dermis).
These ingredients work together to give your skin the structural support and deep, lasting hydration it needs to grow and bounce back through this stage of life.
But it’s also what’s not in True Belly Serum that makes it the #1 choice. No parabens, synthetic fragrance, or other nasty stuff. Like all our natural pregnancy products, it’s handmade in small batches here in the USA. It’s also backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee.
Tips on Making the Most of Your Stretch Mark Cream
We want you to see the best possible results from our belly butter for stretch marks. Make sure you apply it twice a day, every day. Ideally, to slightly damp skin. This boosts absorption compared to applying it to bone-dry skin.
Don’t forget that ALL your skin is under strain right now. Not just your belly. Apply the cream to your hips, thighs, arms, lower back, and breasts. Cover all of it!
Setting Expectations With Stretch Mark Cream
Your genetics dictate how severe your stretch marks will be to some extent. You’re more at risk of developing them if your mother did. Some women are just more prone to stretch marks. It becomes even more essential that you have the right support.
You can’t erase stretch marks 100%, either. The goal moves from preventing them to fading them as much as possible. This is especially true with white or silver stretch marks. Those are scars.
What a stretch mark cream can do is give your skin a fighting chance. And even if marks do show up in the end, they’ll be far less visible than they otherwise would have been.
One more word of advice. Don’t stop using your stretch mark products just because you see marks forming. You should continue applying it so that you can fade them as much as possible. Take the next step towards stretch mark prevention and treatment at 8 Sheep Organics today!
Frequently asked questions
What to use during pregnancy to avoid stretch marks?
A stretch mark cream with Centella Asiatica and Hyaluronic Acid, since these are the two ingredients with the strongest clinical backing for prevention. Our True Belly Serum combines both. Don’t waste your money on something that just uses cocoa butter or mineral oil.
When should I start using stretch mark cream?
In the first trimester, if you can. You want to give your skin a head start before everything starts expanding. But honestly, you can still benefit from stretch mark cream if you’re already in the second or third trimester. You’ll just have to reframe your expectations of what it can do.
Can I prevent stretch marks with the right cream?
Yes - while no cream can 100% guarantee prevention, you’re giving yourself the best possible odds by choosing a good stretch mark cream and incorporating it into your daily routine as soon as possible.
How often do I need to use stretch mark cream during pregnancy?
Every day. Ideally, twice a day. We like to tell moms-to-be that morning and night application is a good cadence to get into. If you can only do it once a day, though, do it before bed. Your skin heals while you sleep.
Besides the belly, where else can I apply stretch mark cream?
Breasts, hips, thighs, lower back - anywhere your body is expanding. It can feel like that’s pretty much everywhere, honestly.
What makes a specialized cream better than typical lotion?
The average lotion merely sits on the surface and makes your skin feel soft. A good stretch mark cream delivers ingredients that reach into the dermis where stretch marks actually form.
Can I rub my belly in the first trimester?
Yes, this is when to start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy! The earlier, the better.
What can I do to relieve my itchy belly while pregnant?
Itching is a telltale sign your skin is stretching - so if you haven’t already begun using a stretch mark cream, get on it! Drink more water, too.
Do I need to continue using my stretch mark cream after birth?
You don’t have to, but we highly recommend it! This can help fade any marks that may have formed during your pregnancy. It’ll help your skin bounce back faster, too.
