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Pregnancy › Skincare › Stretch Mark Prevention
I Tried Every Stretch Mark Product Out There… I Wish I Had Found This One First.
By Sarah Mitchell – Thursday, April 3rd, 2024
6 minutes to read
Stretch marks run in my family. My mom got them. My aunt got them. My sister got them too. So when I found out I was pregnant, I knew there was a good chance I’d get them.
So I did everything I was supposed to do.
I bought the products that every mom buys. I used them every single day without skipping once. Morning and night.
And I still ended up covered in stretch marks by the end of my pregnancy...
I was pretty upset. I had spent hundreds of dollars on creams and oils, but nothing worked. I told myself, maybe stretch marks really are just genetics. And that there’s nothing you can do if it runs in the family.
Until I found out why nothing had worked.
The Problem Most Moms Don’t Know About
I was in my birth month group chat one day, venting about my stretch marks, and someone replied with something I had never heard before.
She said most stretch mark creams can’t even reach the part of your skin where stretch marks actually form.
“Stretch marks don’t start on the surface,” she said. They start deeper down, in a layer of skin that cocoa butter and thick oils physically can’t get to.
So no matter how much you put on, all it’s ever doing is sitting on top of your skin keeping it soft.
I sat there for a minute just staring at my phone. I had spent so much money. I had been so consistent. Not knowing that the products I had been using were never going to work.
Not because I did anything wrong. But because they were never designed to reach the right place.
So What Actually Works?
After doing some research, I found that there were only two ingredients that had any clinical evidence of preventing stretch marks.
Centella Asiatica
This ingredient came up over and over in my research.
Multiple studies have found that pregnant women who applied centella asiatica onto their skin were far less likely to get stretch marks.
Here's one of the studies:
“In the placebo group 22 women (56%) presented striae, whereas in the treated group only 14 women (34%) developed striae in this pregnancy. In women with a history of striae during puberty, the active cream induced a significant absolute prevention in 89% of the cases whereas in the placebo group all the women developed striae”
Source: Mallol J, et al. Prophylaxis of Striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double blind trial. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (1991). PubMed PMID 19291041
What got me about this study was that the 89% of women who managed to prevent stretch marks were women who were already prone to getting them. Women like me!
As I continued my research, I found a second ingredient that kept showing up alongside centella asiatica.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which helps to hydrate the skin.
It is also a penetration enhancer that can help the centella asiatica reach deeper into the skin and increase its effectiveness
So I started looking for anything with two of these key ingredients.
When I found out I was pregnant again, I started paying attention to the ingredients list on stretch mark products.
The only product I found that had both Centella Asiatica and Hyaluronic Acid was the True Belly Serum by 8 Sheep Organics.
My Second Pregnancy Was Completely Different
I was pretty skeptical going in. I had already mentally accepted that I was going to get stretch marks. I mean, I got them the first time around, even though I did everything right. So I wasn’t exactly holding my breath.
But what did I have to lose? It came with a 100-day guarantee. If it didn’t work, I’d just get a refund.
But week after week, my skin just felt different. Less tight. Less itchy. It was keeping up with my belly in a way it never had before.
When I got to 40 weeks I looked at my belly, and smiled...
Not one new stretch mark.
I still have the ones from my first pregnancy, those aren't going anywere. But it's the fact that not a single new line had formed that amazed me.
I wish more than anything that I had found this the first time around.
Check Availability and Get True Belly Serum
100-day money-back guarantee | No return required | Free shipping on 2+ bottles
Where To Get It
You won’t find it at Target, Amazon, or Walmart. It’s only sold on their website at 8sheep.com.
Every bottle is made by hand in small batches in Indiana, USA, which is why it sometimes sells out. If you’re pregnant right now and want to give your skin the best shot, I’d check if it’s still in stock.
Your Questions Answered
What are the ingredients?
The two key actives are centella asiatica extract and triple-weight hyaluronic acid. These are the ingredients the American Academy of Dermatology references for stretch mark prevention, and both are listed near the top of our ingredient list.
The formula contains no mineral oil, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, or synthetic fragrances. Made in small batches in Indiana, USA.
When will I see results?
Most moms notice their skin feels more hydrated and comfortable within the first few uses. The serum absorbs quickly and fits easily into a morning and evening routine.
For stretch mark prevention specifically, consistent daily use throughout pregnancy is what matters most. Starting early gives the ingredients the best chance to support your skin as it grows. The 100-day guarantee is there so you can use it through your first trimester and beyond without any financial risk.
How do I use it?
Apply the serum to stretch mark-prone areas including your belly, hips, thighs, and chest. Use it as part of your daily routine throughout pregnancy.
One bottle is a 1-month supply. Most moms find the 2 or 3-bottle bundle the better option so they are never without it during pregnancy. Both bundles include free shipping.
Is this safe during pregnancy?
Yes. True Belly Serum was formulated specifically for use during pregnancy using clean, pregnancy-safe ingredients.
That said, if you have specific sensitivities or concerns, checking in with your healthcare provider is always a good idea.
Why does this cost more than other stretch mark products?
Palmer's and Bio Oil are built around cocoa butter and mineral oil. Cheap to make, widely available, and not formulated around the ingredients the research supports.
Centella asiatica extract at a meaningful concentration costs significantly more to source. That is where the price difference comes from. Not the packaging, not the branding.
And if it does not work for you, the 100-day guarantee means you get every cent back. No return needed.
Can I use this alongside other skincare products?
The serum is lightweight and absorbs quickly, so it sits comfortably alongside your existing routine. If you are using any prescription skincare during pregnancy, check with your doctor first.
Does it have a scent?
Customers describe the scent as pleasant and not overpowering. One reviewer noted it smells "so good" and is creamy but not too thick. There are no added synthetic fragrances in the formula.
How long does one bottle last?
One bottle is a 1-month supply. The 2-pack covers 2 months and saves you 15%, and the 3-pack covers 3 months and saves you 20%. Both bundles include free shipping.
What makes this different from Bio Oil or Palmer's?
Bio Oil and Palmer's are moisturizers. They hydrate the surface of the skin but do not penetrate deep enough to reach the dermis, where stretch marks actually form.
True Belly Serum is formulated specifically to absorb into the deeper layers of skin including the dermis, using centella asiatica and triple-weight hyaluronic acid. No other product on the comparison list contains both.
When should I start using it?
As early as possible. The serum is designed to support skin elasticity throughout pregnancy, so the earlier you start, the better positioned your skin is before the most significant stretching happens.
What if it does not work for me?
Email contact@8sheep.com within 100 days of delivery. You will get a full refund within 24 hours. No return required, no forms, no questions asked. That applies even if the bottle is already open and you have been using it.
Is this available in stores?
Not currently. True Belly Serum is only available through the 8 Sheep Organics website. It is made in small batches so stock can run low. If you are planning ahead for your pregnancy, ordering early is a good idea.
What is triple-weight hyaluronic acid and why does it matter?
Standard hyaluronic acid comes in one molecular size, which means it works primarily near the surface of the skin. Triple-weight hyaluronic acid includes three different molecular sizes, high, mid, and low. Each size penetrates to a different depth, so the ingredient is working across multiple layers of skin rather than just the top.
For stretch mark prevention, getting active ingredients to the dermis is what matters. That is why the formulation uses triple-weight rather than standard hyaluronic acid.
What is centella asiatica and why is it in this product?
Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, is a plant extract that has been studied for its role in supporting collagen and elastin production in the dermis. It is one of the two topical ingredients the American Academy of Dermatology specifically references in relation to stretch mark prevention.
It is also one of the more expensive ingredients to source at a meaningful concentration, which is part of why most stretch mark products do not include it.
Can I use this postpartum as well?
Yes. Several customers have mentioned continuing to use the serum after delivery for skin recovery and to support firmer-looking skin postpartum. The product description also lists firmer-looking skin postpartum as one of the intended benefit
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100-day money-back guarantee | No return required | Free shipping on 2+ bottles
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider during pregnancy. No topical product can guarantee complete prevention of stretch marks. Individual results will vary.
