Editor-Tested, Expert-Approved Stretch Mark Creams to Pamper Your Belly and Prevent Scars (2025)

We believe it’s possible to want to reduce the look of stretch marks and embrace that they’re symbols of the incredible things your body is capable of doing. We also understand that sometimes you just want to minimize how they look, and while there’s no miracle solution to prevent or get rid of them, moisturizing lotions, oils, and balms may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks or lighten them in color, whether they show up on your belly, thighs, hips, or other parts of your body.

To determine the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy, we tested 20 of them at home over a six-week period. During testing, we considered these creams' efficacy, feel, and scent. We also spoke with two board-certified dermatologists to learn more about what features to look for in stretch mark creams and how they work on the skin. Our list includes a variety of creams, lotions, oils, and balms for every budget and need.

Our Favorite Stretch Mark Creams

• Best Overall: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
• Best Budget: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
• Best Scent: Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter
• Best Balm: Munchkin Milkmakers TwistStick Belly Balm
• Best Hydration: Burt's Bees Mama Belly Butter with Shea Butter and Vitamin E
• Best Splurge: Hatch Maternity Belly Oil
• Best Texture: Evereden Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream
• Best Oil: Belli Elasticity Belly Oil
• Best Firming: Bushbalm Tush Firming Cream
• Best Butter: Pipette Belly Butter

When Should I Start Using Stretch Mark Creams During Pregnancy?

Generally speaking, the earlier you begin using stretch mark creams, the better. Even if your skin isn’t stretching yet, the creams will still provide your skin with helpful hydration. That being said, when you move into maternity pants and your belly is starting to show, it’s a good idea to use stretch mark cream to support your skin as it stretches out.

Why We Like It

The Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks provides a soothing, hydrating experience. It’s made with water, glycerine, coconut oil, and shea butter, among other ingredients, and it’sfree from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, fragrance allergens, and dyes. We appreciate that the cream issimple to apply and goes onto the skin smoothly. We also found iteasy to rub in, even though it looks thick when you squeeze it out of the tube.

Feeling sticky after applying lotion is never pleasant, but this stretch mark creamdoesn’t feel sticky or greasy after application; we never felt like we had to wash any excess off afterward. Moreover, the Palmer's stretch mark cream isnearly odorless, making it a great pick for expecting parents experiencing nausea or aversions to smell. We had to bring it directly to our noses before we could smell thepleasant, faint scent.

But Take Note

The only downfall is the size of the tube. The4.4-ounce tubeis too large to fly with in your carry-on, and small enough that it was used up quickly. When applying the lotion, we weresurprised by the amount we had to use.

The Details:

• Type: Cream
• Scent: Fragrance-free (nearly odorless)
• Key ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter, natural oils, collagen, elastin, lutein
  

Why We Like It

If you prefer thefeel of body oil as opposed to cream—and don't want to sacrifice your budget—the Bio-Oil Skincare Oil is our best budget top pick. It containslavender, rosemary, chamomile, calendula oils, and vitamins E and A.

To apply the body oil, rub it into your skin using a circular motion. After testing the Bio-Oil Skincare Oil, we appreciate that it doesn't make a mess and isa great lightweight oil for warmer monthsthanks to itsdry-oil feel.The oilrubs on smoothly and evenly, though it comes out of the bottle quickly.

This body oil’slight scent is very pleasant, almost a little powdery. Thebottle is available in several sizes, including an extra smalltravel size.

But Take Note

It’s important to note that if you choose an oil, it may be greasier than a traditional cream. The oil may initially feel greasy, so we recommend wearing an old T-shirt or going bare until it dries.

The Details:

• Type: Oil
• Scent: Flowery
• Key ingredients: Vitamin E oil, chamomile oil, sunflower oil, lavender oil

Why We Like It

Earth Mama Belly Butter is a moisturizing stretch mark cream witha lovely orange scent. Ingredients includealoe(great for soothing a dry, itchy belly) and herbs, and it’sfree from petroleum, mineral oil, parabens, and artificial fragrances.

The Belly Butter isthick yet lightweight. We love how itgoes onto the skin smoothlyand absorbswithout feeling greasyafter application. Our highest praise for this stretch mark cream is for its moisturizing effect. We thought it kept bumps moisturized as pregnancies progressed during testing.

The Earth Mama Belly Butter is also ideal for frequent travelers: It'savailable in a TSA-approvedtravel size.

But Take Note

We were happily surprised by the orange scent from essential oils and didn’t find the smell too overpowering.Although it's important to note that essential oils can be irritating to some.

The Details:

• Type: Cream
• Scent: Orange
• Key ingredients: Aloe, olive oil, sunflower oil, and other organic oils and extracts

Why We Like It

The Munchkin Milkmakers TwistStick Belly Balm issmooth, easy to put on, and hydrating. To apply, remove the cap andrub the stick of balm across your skin, almost as if you’re applying a sunscreen stick. This designsaves you the mess and greasinessof typical stretch mark creams, and it’s alsoeasy to toss into your bagand take on the go.

The balm is smooth and not too greasy. Naturally, a stretch mark cream will be a little oily, but we actually thought this balmmade our skin glisten. Since the balm ismoisturizing,it could alsohelp soothe chapped nipplesduring the breastfeeding stage or other chafed skin.

But Take Note

The Belly Balm has awarm, comforting scentthat isn’t too overpowering, reminding us of shea butter or oats. While we enjoyed the scent, the sweetness of the aroma might not be for everyone.

The Details:

• Type: Balm
• Scent: Shea butter
• Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter
  

Why We Like It

Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter is a deeply hydrating stretch mark cream that is great for the winter months and for those prone to dry skin. We especially love that it eased itchiness due to skin dryness when we needed it most during testing. We also appreciate that it's formulated from 99% natural ingredients, including cocoa, shea, and jojoba butters, and it doesn’t contain any parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).

Since this stretch mark cream is fragrance-free, the scent is inoffensive and a safe bet for pregnant people who may be experiencing morning sickness or smell aversions.

The 6.5-ounce tub can be recycled once you’ve used up all of the product.

But Take Note

We appreciate the feel of this thick belly butter, which doesn’t feel oily. It nearly disappears into dry skin as soon as you rub it in (though the thickness takes a little time), so there isn’t much messy residue.

The Details:

• Type: Cream
• Scent: Fragrance-free
• Key ingredients: Vitamin E and shea, cocoa, and jojoba butters
  

Why We Like It

If you’re looking to splurge, look no further than the Hatch Mama Belly Oil. The plant-based, gluten-free belly oilcontains nutrients such as grapefruit oil, calendula, and sweet almond oil.(Since it contains many plant-derived ingredients, be sure to read the label to ensure you aren’t allergic to anything in the oil.) It’s alsofree from phthalates, parabens, fragrances, and dyes.

The light scentis delicate and not noticeable, so it’s not likely to bother the sensitive noses of pregnant folks. We love how the oil pampers postpartum skin or softens and soothes the taut skin around a baby bump.

But Take Note

It doesn't dry as fast as lotion, but we love how itfeels smooth on the skin rather than greasy or sticky(it made us feel like a million bucks during testing!).

The Details:

• Type: Oil
• Scent: Fragrance-free
• Key ingredients: Sweet almond oil, calendula, grapefruit oil
  

Why We Like It

Made from apeptide blend and a variety of botanicals, such as mango butter and Indian gooseberry, this stretch mark cream absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling nice and moisturized. The product has anice texture and doesn't make skin feel sticky or greasy. It alsofeels nice on the hands; wedidn't feel the need to wash our hands after applying the product.

The Everden Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream is an investment, but we think it’s worthwhile if you have the budget for aluxurious moisturizer.

But Take Note

Though the label says that the cream is unscented, we found that it did have alight smell, but it disappeared over time and wasn't an issue.

The Details:

• Type: Cream
• Scent: Light scent
• Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, mango butter, centella

Why We Like It

This oil contains vitamin E, gotu kola plant extract, grape seed, and otherpreservative-free, pregnancy-safe ingredientsthat can nourish skin and make it more supple.

While no product has been clinically proven to prevent stretch marks, the Belli Elasticity Belly Oil provided thebest evidence of the bunch in our test. The oil doesn't change existing thigh stretch marks, but one editor made it through her pregnancywithout any belly stretch marks, which may be due in part to using this product. (At least it was a correlation, if not causation.)

Interestingly, the brand markets this belly oil aslavender-scented, though we primarily picked up on almond notes. (The product does contain almond oil.) Overall, thescent is nice and light.

Though it’s a bit pricier than some of the other options on our list, it’s worth it if you’re looking for alightly scented, absorbent oil.

But Take Note

The product has atrue oil consistency, so it can take a while to rub into the skin fully. However, it's easy to spread and quickly absorbs without other issues. Wedid not find it overly greasyand appreciated that it could also be used as a massage oil for arelaxing prenatal massage.

The Details:

• Type: Oil
• Scent: Lavender
• Key ingredients: Lavender extract, almond oil, grape seed, vitamin E, cocoa butter, gotu kola plant extract

Why We Like It

The Bush Balm Tush Firming Cream is great for those looking tofirm up and tighten their skin. It includes avariety of plant-derived ingredients, including brazil nut oil and coffee seed extract, to provide antioxidants and help skin elasticity.

One editor used the cream on her upper thighs and hips, finding that it felt nice andabsorbed into the skin with little effort. It alsodidn’t leave sticky residue behindafter application. For those who prefer a scented stretch mark cream, this product’ssweet vanilla and almond fragrance is pleasant but not overwhelming.

The cream is available in an 8.76 fluid-ounce tube or a travel-safe 3.38 fluid-ounce tube. We recommend it to those looking toimprove their skin’s elasticity and firmness, around the belly or otherwise.

But Take Note

Though thecream is primarily made for the butt, it’s safe touse on any skin that needs firming and energizing, according to the brand.

The Details:

• Type: Cream
• Scent: Sweet vanilla and almond
• Key ingredients: Brazil nut oil, coffee seed extract, mango seed butter, natural oils

Why We Like It

Check out the Pipette Belly Butter if you’re looking for a body butter to use on your belly. It’s made with allvegan ingredients, including sugarcane-derived squalane for skin nourishment. The butter is reallymoisturizing and feels nice to apply. It also didn’t leave skin feeling sticky or greasy. We appreciated that the product went on smoothly, though we did have to rub it in a few times before it was fully absorbed due to itsthicker buttery consistency.

But Take Note

The Pipette Belly Butter hasvery little scent, which makes for a more pleasant application. Its lightscent is herbal, which we didn’t mind, though it may not appeal to all noses.

The Details:

• Type: Butter
• Scent: Herbal
• Key ingredients: Squalane (sugarcane-derived), hyaluronic acid, shea butter, tripeptide-5
  

Why We Like It

If finding ahigh-quality plant-based belly oilis important to you, consider the Susanne Kaufmann Arnica Body Oil (formerly known as Stretch Mark Oil). This lightweight oilabsorbs into your skin quicklywithout feeling greasy after use, resulting in a very soft feeling. Made with a blend of arnica extract, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and more, it leaves skin feeling softer and stronger over time.

Though the 100 milliliters (3.38 fluid ounce) bottle is small,a little goes a long way(and it’s TSA-approved). In addition to being plant-based, the Susanne Kaufmann Arnica Body Oil isparaffin-free, paraben-free, certified vegan, and cruelty-free—meaning that no animals were harmed in making the product or the individual ingredients.

But Take Note

The oil has aunique, fresh scent that reminds us oflemons with hints of herbs. We enjoyed the fresh citrus fragrance but noted that thescent is strong, so it may not be the best pick if you’re sensitive to smell during pregnancy. We also found that the scent wasn’t as strong once rubbed into the skin.

The Details:

• Type: Oil
  
• Scent: Citrus
• Key ingredients: Arnica extract, jojoba oil, vitamin E, almond oil

Other Notable Stretch Mark Creams

• Mustela Maternity Stretch Marks Cream:This stretch mark cream fell short compared to the others on our list. Though it went on smoothly, we found that it felt wet on the skin. We also had to wash our hands after each application because the product lingered around.
• Glow Organics Belly Butter:Wedidn’t mind this product, but other butters did better in our test and cost less than this one. However, if you’re looking for an organic belly butter, this is a solid option.
• Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy:While it absorbs quickly, we had a tough time using this product due to the heavy perfumed scent.
• Dr. Jacobs Naturals Belly Jelly:This product felt and smelled like ultrasound jelly, which was unpleasant. It was also sticky to spread across her skin.
• Irene Organics Belly Balm:Though this stretch mark cream felt hydrating, it reminded us of a beeswax-like feel on the skin (too greasy and sticky).
• Body Merry Stretch Marks and Scars Defense Cream:This is an absorbent stretch mark cream, but we do not recommend it because the strong scent is off-putting.

Our Testing Process

We asked 18 pregnant editors to assess 20 of the best stretch mark creams on the market at home over the course of six weeks. Our editors evaluated the stretch mark creams on several attributes:

• Feel: Our editors applied the product as directed by the manufacturer, observing how the products felt, including how sticky or greasy the creams were and if they needed to wash their hands after application. We also asked them to note how quickly the products were absorbed and if they stained clothing.
• Scent: Editors assessed each product’s scent, considering whether the smell was overpowering or pleasant and noting if fragrance-free products delivered on that promise.
• Efficacy: At the end of the six-week testing period, editors described how the stretch mark creams worked, including how convenient the products were to use and how well they integrated into their daily routine.

Our Experts

In addition to real-world testing, we also gathered insight from two board-certified dermatologists and RealSelf Advisory Board members to determine what features are important in stretch mark creams for pregnancy. We spoke to the following experts:

• Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal is a board-certified dermatologist and CEO, co-founder, and medical director of Elite MD.
• Janet Allenby, DO, Dr. Allenby is the founder of Allenby Cosmetic Dermatology.

Factors to Consider When Buying Stretch Mark Creams for Pregnancy

• Ingredients: When it comes to buying a stretch mark cream, you’ll want to pick one that best suits your personal needs. If you prefer to use plant-based products, check out theSusanne Kaufmann Arnica Body Oilor thePipette Belly Butter, both made from plant-based or vegan ingredients. Additionally, make sure to check that the product doesn’t contain any ingredients that pregnant people are advised not to use, such as retinol and phthalates. It’s also important to find a stretch mark cream that will keep your skin moisturized as it stretches throughout pregnancy. Dr. Badreshia-Bansal recommends ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, thick moisturizers, and balms.
• Skin Type: There are many different forms of stretch mark creams available, so you’ll want to keep your own skin type in mind when choosing the best fit for you. If you have sensitive skin, you'll more than likely want to avoid any creams with artificial ingredients and fragrances to avoid irritants or allergic reactions, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal advises. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, a hydrating ointment or cream may be more effective at keeping in moisture and less irritating than a thinner lotion, according to the AAD.
• Cost: Some brands recommend that you apply their stretch mark creams more than once a day, so consider your budget and how often you might need to buy a new bottle. To help make sure you’re getting the most out of your money, you may want to determine the cost of the cream per ounce. Some stretch mark creams are also available in travel sizes, allowing you to sample the product before committing to a larger, pricier bottle. Stretch marks can be difficult to treat, so aside from the cost of cream, you may be thinking of getting an office treatment after you've delivered, which is another cost to consider. Office treatments will likely be more expensive than an over-the-counter cream but can have a noticeable effect on stretch marks, says Dr. Allenby.
  

Your Questions, Answered

Why do stretch marks appear?

Stretch marks are a type of scarring under the skin that appears when skin stretches rapidly, such as during pregnancy. This rapid change prompts the collagen and elastin in your skin to rupture, causing stretch marks to appear. Initially, they have a pink, purple, or red hue and begin to fade into more of a skin-toned color, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal says.

While there are several potential factors that may contribute to the appearance of stretch marks, a 2013 study suggests that stretch marks may be due to genetic factors. This means that some people are more prone to getting stretch marks than others simply based on their genetics. This is important to keep in mind when trying to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks, as you may be more prone to getting darker or more stretch marks simply because of your genetics, which is totally normal.

Do stretch mark creams actually work?

According to the AAD, stretch mark creams are primarily effective on new marks, rather than older, more mature ones. So, you need to be proactive about putting the cream on during pregnancy rather than waiting until after you’ve had the baby and your marks are more visible.

Also, note that results are not immediate and can take weeks or more to appear. "Creams for stretch marks target skin laxity, color abnormalities, and tissue brilliance," explains Dr. Allenby. Stretch mark creams address this thinned skin and abnormal coloring by “normalizing and signaling skin cell turnover [as well as] surface smoothness and radiance.”

However, stretch mark creams may not produce the desired final effects. According to Dr. Allenby, stretch marks are difficult to treat to a “100% resolution” in a medical office, let alone with just a cream by itself. In her opinion, office procedures—such as lasers and radio frequency treatments—combined with topical creams are the best way to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Who We Are

Phoebe Sklansky is an editor at Parents and an avid shopper herself who enjoys helping readers find the best products for their unique needs. She holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University. When she’s not at her desk, you can find her taking a walk on the West Side Highway, catching up on reality TV, or attempting to cook in her countertop-less kitchen.