3 best creams for stretch marksThey come in all different shapes and sizes and appear when you’re least expecting it. I’m talking about stretch marks – the badge of honour that says ‘I grew a baby’.

I was lucky in that I escaped relatively unscathed through both my pregnancies (I slapped on all the lotions and tonics I could get my hands on – anything to take away the dreaded itching!) and was left with just little silvery lines on the tops of my legs, which I actually suspect is more to do with weight change over the years than anything to do with growing babies.

But however you got them, what can you do about them? There’s all manner of creams, oils and ointments claiming to prevent and remove them, with all manner of price tags, so how do you know which are the best creams for stretch marks?

Just after Little B was born Made For Mums asked me to put three to the test, then at the end of the year Palmer’s sent me their new spray lotion to try out, so I thought now – with winter in full swing and plenty of time left to get beach ready for the summer – would be a good time to compile a list of my top three:

Best cream for stretch marks 2

1. Bepanthen Stretch Mark Cream – £24.99 (150ml)

This stuff is excellent – it smells gorgeous, makes your skin feel instantly soft and lasts for hours. The cream absorbs quickly and easily and my post-birth tummy – not to mention my legs, arms and shoulders – all felt pampered thanks to ingredients including extract of centella asiatica (a tropical plant which apparently stimulates collagen production), provitamin B5 and olive oil. Even at £24.99 (shop around though, especially online) I think this cream is excellent value and I would continue to use it as a body cream as well as part of a pre and post baby beauty routine. It comes with an air-powered pump at the top so it’s easy to use and store, and you can’t inadvertently waste any by squirting too much out.

2. Palmer’s Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks – £3.15 (250ml)

I absolutely love this stuff and use it all over my body, pregnant or not. The thick consistency of the cocoa butter lotion makes you feel like you’re actually applying something that’s going to work, and although it does take a while to absorb into the skin – I’d give it five minutes before getting dressed afterwards – it keeps your skin well hydrated and nourished for hours. And it smells divine: just like chocolate! The cream comes with a handy nozzle so it’s easy to apply, and you’re not left with a greasy bottle from opening and closing afterwards. I’ve used this cream throughout both pregnancies and swear by it.

3. Palmer’s Spray Lotion for Stretch Marks – £6.99 (200g)

You can see a theme emerging here. Palmer’s really know what they’re doing when it comes to body lotion, and this one comes with all the vitamin E, collagen and elastin in a spray. It doesn’t smell quite as nice as the massage lotion which is why it’s my number three and not number two, but it’s lighter than the massage lotion and absorbs into the skin much more quickly thanks to Bio C-Elaste, a mix of oils including Argan and sweet almond. It’s got a really directional spray so you won’t inadvertently spray past your arm or leg and onto the duvet or floor, or you can do what I do and spray it into your hand and then apply.

I was sent Palmer’s Spray Lotion for Stretch Marks free of charge to try out for the purpose of review. As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.

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A Cornish Mum