Lotions and Potions for tackling the dreaded Stretch Marks!

Stretch marks are one of the unfortunate things that woman may get whilst pregnant. Because the skin is being stretched in such a short period of time it sometimes leaves the skin with these unsightly marks. While some woman are very lucky not to get one mark, others can be completely covered. I don't know whether it's down to genetics or just plain bad luck but the possibility is always there. Take my mother for example - she has given birth to 5 children and has not had one mark, where as I have been covered in them from just 1 pregnancy. I would advise to use something that suits you a soon as possible - do not just think that it is inevitable that you will or will not get them just because your mother or sister has or hasn't! I wonder is it just down to pot luck?!

So as I am one of the unfortunate ones who has had been left with these marks I have accepted that they are now part of my body but I will not give up on trying to remove them - if there is anything out there that REALLY works - I have yet to find it!?
 I have come to the conclusion that prevention is better than cure, so the best advise that I would offer to any mothers to be would be to prevent it as much as you can  - apply whatever moisturiser, lotion or oils you feel work for you  as many times a day as it says on the box if not more. If that doesn't work then you cannot blame yourself and you know that you have tried the best that you could.

I remember being 6 months pregnant and on holiday in the Canaries. I had this huge bump with not one stretch mark, I was really proud showing off my curves and bump in my bikini. I had used Bio Oil  3 times daily from the day I found out I was pregnant. I must have thought I had got away with not getting stretch marks as I started getting lazy with applying the oil. I was then told by a friend that her doctor had said not to use any oils on your skin as they only help the skin to stretch and give you  more marks - what a fool I was to listen because when I stopped applying it the marks started appearing without me realising. By the time the end of my pregnancy came around I had large red marks all over my stomach and back!

I have below a list of the products that I am using right now. Some are very costly so when they run out I always have a bottle of Baby Oil to use until I can get a new supply. I am using several different products as I want to prevent new stretch marks appearing as well as helping to still reduce the possibility of new marks.

If any of you out there have any other suggestions it would be great to hear about them? I am always looking for new products to try!

P.s I have also read that having an intake of Zinc in your diet can reduce the possibility of getting stretch marks!!

Regards,
Naoimh

   BIO OIL

Top of my list is the good old Bio Oil. This is probably the most popular oil used by pregnant woman. I apply this about 3 times a day and when I come straight out of the bath while my skin is still wet for it to absorb into the pores of my skin.
It is costly though so I don't always have a supply. It normally retails in around €12.00 - €19.00 depending on the size of the bottle but if you apply it as generously as I do it doesn't last that long. :-(




                                     BABY OIL

Baby oil is always at hand in my house for when I run out of Bio Oil. It doesn't matter what brand as they all do the same thing. I have several bottles stocked in my house and they are really cheap the Boots own brand is the cheapest and Johnson Baby Oil is always on offer in Euro Giant shops, you would never pay more than €2.00 a bottle.








PALMERS COCOA BUTTER CREAM FORMULA

This is a cream that I have just started using on this pregnancy. I have heard that Cocoa Butter is a good cream to use to reduce the chances of getting stretch marks. This is formulated to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It has a nice smell and dries in fast enough. I have been moisturising this in to my belly often but not as much as I would with the oils. It is a very good price coming in around €3.99 for a large tube.






                                                         PALMERS COCOA BUTTER FORMULA SCAR SERUM

This is one of the main things I use especially at night. It is a Scar Serum which is to reduce the appearance of Stretch  marks and scars. It says on the box that it is recommended by doctors. It contains Shark Liver Oil which is a bit unusual I thought!
The consistency is very thick and it does have quiet a strong horrible smell! I have been trying this for several weeks now and although it is hard to see results while I am pregnant I would definitely recommend this to other woman that have stretch marks.
It cost around €10.00 for a 30ml bottle. Although it is small bottle it lasts a while because of the thick texture. Applied 3 times daily is advised.





 

                         
                                         AVON SOLUTIONS STRETCH MARK CREAM
From checking online I have also heard that Avon have a stretch mark cream that helps to reduce the appearance. I have not had the chance to try this yet as I did not order it but I will be trying it in the future as there was several reviews from woman saying that the results were fantastic and the appearance and smoothness of the areas of skin with stretch marks were greatly improved!
Check out the reviews here -->>