15 Best Stretch mark creams and ointment for pregnancy

Stretch marks can happen to any of us at any time. For some women they appear as your belly stretches during pregnancy but for others (men included) they can experience them during weight gain or loss.
Gaining stretch marks during your pregnancy isn’t anything to worry about or to feel ashamed of and, in fact, some women may not experience them at all.
If you do see red or purple lines appearing on your tummy then they are stretch marks that are happening to help your skin stretch to accommodate the new life you are growing inside of you. For most women they will fade away to a white or silver mark once your baby is born and will be almost unnoticeable, but some may be left with darker marks, it’s different for everyone.
There is a stigma around stretch marks that they are something unsightly or embarrassing but we think that they are something to be proud of.
We think they should be worn like a badge of honour for the amazing thing your body has done.
But, for some women the stretching of your skin can be itchy and uncomfortable and some just really don’t like their tiger stripes and want to do whatever they can to help ease them. There isn’t any way to prevent stretch marks but there are many creams to help ease them if they are angry or uncomfortable.
How to test the best stretch mark creams?
Shopping for stretch mark creams can be confusing, as there are just so many to choose from! So, you may have to use a little trial and error to find your perfect match.
Before you purchase a stretch mark cream, think about what you want from the product. What features does it need to have? Here are some factors to consider when choosing a stretch mark cream:
- Do you have skin conditions, for example, eczema, that require you to use only hypoallergenic or fragrance-free products?
- Do you have allergies or lifestyle choices that impact the skincare products you use? For example, do you need to avoid stretch mark products containing nut oils? Do you prefer to use vegan or vegetarian products?
- Are you planning to continue using the stretch mark treatment after pregnancy? If so, you may want to check it's safe to use while breastfeeding.
- What type of texture do you prefer? Do you want a stretch mark oil, a lotion, belly butter, or a rich cream? Each of these options is available, so you're sure to find a stretch mark cream to match your preference.
When testing your stretch mark creams, it's helpful to try out a patch test first, as many mums-to-be find that pregnancy makes their skin more sensitive than usual.
Once you start using a product, it's usually best to use it for at least a few weeks as directed on the packaging so it has a chance to work. Being consistent and applying the cream as instructed will help you get results, so it's worth giving the cream enough change to work before trying another brand.
If you’re looking for a way to help with stretch marks, then we have put together a list of the best stretch mark creams and oils with something for every bump and every budget.
The best stretch mark creams in 2025
1. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter for Stretch Marks

Palmer’s is one of the leading brands when it comes to stretch mark relief and we love this ultra-concentrated night-time treatment which is specially designed for pregnant tummies. This highly-effective stretch mark cream really helps to minimise stretch marks, and the butter-like consistency makes it easy to apply to your tummy. Many mums-to-be who have used this product found they developed minimal stretch marks throughout pregnancy and commented that it smells amazing!
What we love about Palmer's Tummy Butter:
- Free from mineral oil, parabens, and phthalates
What we don't love about Palmer's Tummy Butter:
- Some mums-to-be find the consistency of the tummy butter a little greasy
2. Bio Oil

Bio Oil is a specialist skincare brand that has beena go-to brand for reducing the appearance of stretch marks for many years. When using this stretch mark oil, a little goes a very long way, making it great value for money. Bio Oil rubs easily into your skin and has a subtle, pleasant smell so it's ideal for everyday use and is even suitable for sensitive skin.
What we love about Bio Oil:
- Can also be used to reduce scars, hydrate dry skin, and reduce uneven skin tone
What we don't love about Bio Oil:
- Some users report that it takes a while to see results from using the stretch mark oil
3. Dr Organic Vitamin E Scar & Stretch Mark Serum

This organic serum has been designed specifically for scars and stretch marks and has powerful moisturising and protecting antioxidant properties. As its name suggests, this stretch mark serum boasts impressive eco credentials and is packed with natural, organic ingredients. This rich serum is non-greasy and provides excellent moisturisation. The vitamin E in the serum helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, leaving skin feeling supple and hydrated.
What we love about Dr Oganic Stretch Mark Serum:
- Made with organic ingredients and free from parabens and sodium laureth sulphate
What we don't love about Dr Oganic Stretch Mark Serum:
- Some users dislike the smell of this stretch mark serum
4. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil

This oil is perfectly lightweight whilst still being amazingly nourishing for your skin. This cruelty-free and vegan product is infused with an Omega Rich Skin Stretch Complex which is great if your stretch marks are feeling uncomfortable and itchy. Just one pump provides enough oil to moisturise your belly and let this stretch mark oil get to work. The oil absorbs really quickly, so you don't need to wait ages to get dressed.
What we love about Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil:
- Formulated especially for use during pregnancy
What we don't love about Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil:
- This oil has a floral scent, which some mums-to-be may struggle with if they're feeling sensitive to smells
5. Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil

This oil may be at the higher end of most people’s budget, but it is raved about by mums and mums-to-be as a really effective stretch mark treatment. This natural body treatment oil contains 100% pure plant oil, including hazelnut oil, to improve skin elasticity and help prevent stretch marks. The highly nourishing forumla hydrates while also firming and toning the skin.
What we love about Clarins Body Treatment Oil:
- Free from synthetic fragrances and chemical preservatives
What we don't love about Clarins Body Treatment Oil:
- Contains hazelnut oil, so it may not be suitable for people with nut allergies
6. Mama Mio Mama Marks Minimiser Cream

Another product from skincare experts Mama Mio that we love is their Mama Marks Minimiser Cream. This product is a great way to help stretch marks as they fade after you have your baby.This stretch mark cream for pregnancy and postpartum is packed with natural active ingredients that help reduce the appearance of stetch marks by improving their colour and texture. The cream has a gorgeous scent and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
What we love about Mama Mio Mama Marks Minimiser Cream:
- Contains natural ingredients and is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
What we don't love about Mama Mio Mama Marks Minimiser Cream:
- It is recommended you use the cream for at least 12 weeks to see maximum benefits
7. Science of Skin Solution for Stretch Marks

This award-winning cream may be on the pricier side, but many mums swear by it. Developed by a team of skin and scarring experts, the formulation works by combining active natural phytochemicals and highly moisturising natural ingredients with vitamins C and E to offer a soothing and active stretch mark treatment. This stretch mark treatment is super easy to apply as it features a fine mist spray system. The soothing natural ingredients provide welcome relief from stretch marks that feel itchy, tight, and uncomfortable.
What we love about Science of Skin Solutions for Stretch Marks:
- Provides soothing relief for stretch mark discomfort, as well as helping to reduce their appearance
What we don't love about Science of Skin Solutions for Stretch Marks:
- This stretch mark product is more expensive than lots of other stretch mark treatments
8. Cowshed Mother Stretch Mark Balm

With sea buckthorn, rosehip, and cranberry this balm helps to encourage elasticity and pampers the skin, making it perfect for those stretch marks! This highly moisturising formulation is the same balm used in Cowshed spas and feels like a real treat for your skin. The stretch mark balm deeply nourishes your skin, helping the skin on your bump to feel supple and hydrated throughout the entire day.
What we love about Cowshed Mother Stretch Mark Balm:
- Contains natural oils, no silicones, mineral oils or parabens
What we don't love about Cowshed Mother Stretch Mark Balm:
- As it's a balm, the texture is quite thick. However, it does melt into the skin easily
9. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks

Another favourite amongst mums from the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter range is their massage lotion. We love the smell of this lotion and the price! This Palmer's stretch mark lotion is packed with vitamin E, collagen, shea butter, and elastin to help improve skin elasticity and improve the appearance of existing stretch marks. The lotion comes in a handy pump, making it easier to dispense the right amount of product.
What we love about Palmer's Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks:
- Reasonably priced
What we don't love about Palmer's Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks:
- Some users report that the lotion takes a while to absorb into the skin
10. NUTURE Nourishing Skin Treatment Cream

This cream is formulated to improve the appearance of stretchmarks, elasticity, and dry skin and 78% of people who tested the product agreed that it helped to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. We love the price tag too! The cream feels luxuriously thick to use and melts into the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
What we love about the NUTURE Skin Treatment Cream:
- Also helps improve the appearance of old stretch marks
What we don't love about the NUTURE Skin Treatment Cream:
- The consistency of the cream is a little thick, but it does absorb into the skin well
11. Burt Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter

This rich butter is blended to soothe skin and keep growing bellies soft, smooth, and comfortable. Formulated without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS we love this butter! 99% of this belly butter's ingredients are of natural origin, and as it's fragrance-free, it's a great choice of stretch mark cream for more sensitive skin types.
What we love about Burt Bees Belly Butter:
- Fragrance-free and made from 99% natural ingredients
What we don't love about Burt Bees Belly Butter:
- Some people may find the cream a little thin compared with other belly butters
12. Cusson's Mum and Me Bump Stretch Mark Cream

This brand was designed especially for mums and we love the soothing and hydrating formula of this simple yet effective cream, making it one of the best stretch mark creams! This Cusson's Stretch Mark Cream contains collagen-boosting lupin seed extract, tamanu, and almond oils to both increase skin elasticity and reduce existing stretch marks. This rich cream slathers on with ease and is quickly absorbed into the skin.
What we love about Cusson's Stretch Mark Cream:
- Good value price for the size of the tub
What we don't love about Cusson's Stretch Mark Cream:
- The cream is quite rich, so it may not be right for you if you prefer lighter creams and oils
13. My Expert Midwife Fantastic Skin Elastic Stretch Mark Serum

Midwife developed, and Mum approved, the My Expert Midwife’s award-winning range is loved by mums. We love that this serum gives instant relief for tight, dry, or irritated skin, including itching legs. As well as helping to prevent stretch marks, Fantastic Skin Elastic can also be used as a massage oil and reportedly can even help relieve constipation in pregnancy when massaged into your bump.
What we love about My Expert Midwife Stretch Mark Serum:
- Can also be used to massage C-section scars
What we don't love about My Expert Midwife Stretch Mark Serum:
- Some mums-to-be found the pump dispenser hard to use
14. Pregnacare Stretch Mark Cream

This stretch mark cream is enriched with natural extracts, vitamins and minerals and is a super affordable product to use to help with itching and stretch marks. This stretch mark cream is designed for use during pregnancy and afterwards, as it helps to protect both stretching and contracting skin. The cream is really easy to apply and leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft. The fragrance is also lovely.
What we love about Pregnacare Stretch Mark Cream:
- Reasonably priced
What we don't love about Pregnacare Stretch Mark Cream:
- Some users found the cream a little sticky
15. Elifexir Anti-Stretch Marks Repairing & Preventing Cream

With 99.6% of total ingredients from natural origin this is a wonderful product to use during pregnancy as you know there are no nasties. The added Centella Asiatica leaf extract helps to increase the firmness and elasticity of the skin making it perfect for pregnant tummies. This antioxidant-rich cream glides onto your skin, helping your skin feel firmer and ensuring the appearance of stretch marks is reduced. As well as helping to minimise stretch marks, the cream also works on improving the skin's protective barrier in the process.
What we love about Elifexir Anti-Stretch Marks Cream:
- Suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
What we love about Elifexir Anti-Stretch Marks Cream:
- The cream feels a bit greasy during application
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