5x reduce stretch marks during and after pregnancy

Stretch marks, stretch marks or growth marks: there is no such thing as the success formula or the stretch mark cream to remove these purple/red stretch marks. Something that pregnant women often look for when the first stripes appear on their bellies. Products or stretch mark treatment do not work for everyone. However, you can get better results by keeping the skin on your stomach in top condition. Reducing stretch marks therefore starts during and even before your pregnancy.

Stretch marks are very normal, almost everyone gets them, and it is nothing to be ashamed of! Think of yourself as a tiger who earned her stripes by carrying a child. Still, we understand that you are looking for ways to reduce stretch marks. That's why you can read more below about what you can do against stretch marks and what role they play natural skin care plays in this.

1. Hydration
2. Oil massage
3. Scrub and peel
4. Stretch mark cream with vitamin A and hyaluronic acid
5. Laser treatment or microneedling

Stretch marks due to pregnancy: stretch marks on your stomach

Stretch marks, also known as stretch marks or stripes, occur when the skin stretches over a relatively short period of time. This (logically) occurs in many women during pregnancy. During this special period, a lot changes, including your hormone balance and the size of your belly. Your skin cannot keep up with the pace of growth, causing it to crack and develop purple or red streaks. Sometimes the stretch marks fade or turn into white scars after a few years.

There is no official scientifically proven way to remove stretch marks. However, you can reduce stretch marks by keeping your skin in the best condition. This starts at the very beginning of pregnancy.

How can you reduce stretch marks and get rid of them as much as possible?

Zwangerschapsstrepen verwijderen is in sommige gevallen erg lastig, maar striae verminderen kan wel. In hoeverre je last krijgt van striae is voornamelijk erfelijk bepaald. Ook je huidconditie speelt een grote rol. Hoewel er helaas nog geen onderzoeken zijn die officieel uitwijzen op welke manier je striae kunt verminderen, kun je in ieder geval zorgen voor de beste skin care during pregnancy. Wij leggen hieronder uit hoe je er alles aan kunt doen om striae te verminderen.

1. Hydrate your skin: preventing stretch marks is better than curing them

Just as fine lines appear more quickly on dry skin, this skin type is also more prone to stretch marks. That is why it is important to hydrate your skin sufficiently from the inside and outside. You do this by drinking enough water and with products for dry skin. In addition, pay attention to a healthy diet for weight gain that is appropriate for the trimester of your pregnancy. Fruit and vegetables provide you with antioxidants that protect your skin and can also prevent stretch marks.

Body butter protective stretch mark cream

Our natural body butter consists of 100% pure organic shea butter, without additives and perfume. This product is multifunctional for skin care from head to toe and even suitable for the atopic skin or delicate baby skin (handy ;-)). Organic shea butter is naturally full of skin-friendly vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Apply to your stomach daily during and after pregnancy to safely protect and care for the skin.

Rose water spray for moisture and refreshment

Our multifunctional moisturizing facial sprays are ideal for the care and cleaning of your décolleté, where stretch marks can also appear. They hydrate, provide the skin with valuable nutrients and rose water spray is also wonderfully refreshing! Tip: keep the product in the refrigerator during hot (sweaty) summer days for a (skin) boost in between. Would you prefer a calming effect? Then choose lavender water spray.

2. Massage the skin smoothly with oil

Massage of the abdomen with natural oil keeps the skin soft and the tissue supple. This allows it to stretch more easily and reduces the risk of stretch marks. You can of course also use the oil for your breasts and thighs. Massage immediately stimulates blood circulation and this could also help against stretch marks. To reduce stretch marks is organic argan oil excellently suitable. Argan oil is also called a miracle cure for removing wrinkles in a natural way, partly thanks to its protective and healing properties.

You can use argan oil Use during pregnancy for the skin of your abdomen, legs and breasts. Use the oil for at least three months after giving birth. This keeps the skin supple when your belly returns to its original shape. Stretch marks are less noticeable on smooth skin.

Also rosehip oil is known for its ability to reduce redness and effectively repair the skin. Gently massage your stretch marks with the oil until it is well absorbed. Rosehip oil is also a good natural remedy to treat your caesarean section scar.

After all, it would lavender essential oil according to research have a positive effect on wound healing. Further scientific research is needed to be able to state this definitively, but if it does not help, it will not do any harm. Lavender is also known for its soothing effect. For example, you can add a few drops to a natural base oil, such as argan oil.

Note: some essential oils are not recommended for use during pregnancy, such as pure Tea tree oil. Always read the product description before use.

3. Stimulate recovery by scrubbing and peeling

Where we go for a peeling of the face especially recommend using the mildest products, other parts of the body may need a little more because the skin is less sensitive. Nevertheless, be careful. Pregnancy hormones give you stronger blood flow and the blood vessels become more flexible. This can also be a cause rosacea.

Our body scrub contain a large amount of Himalayan salt. This provides a mild peeling and increases the moisture content of the skin. This helps keep the skin in good condition and thus reduces the risk of stretch marks. Added essential oils pamper your mind, relieve stress and balance the skin.

Be careful with one BHA peel or a stretch mark cream with salicylic acid, this ingredient is not recommended during and immediately after pregnancy. For a mild peeling it is better to use one fruit acid mask choices, including vitamin C and antioxidants. Exfoliants with glycolic acid (AHA) are also okay to use during pregnancy. Research shows that glycolic acid in a peel can help reduce stretch marks. But unfortunately there is no official evidence for this.

4. Use stretch mark cream with (natural) vitamin A or hyaluronic acid

If you had to name two ingredients that you want in a stretch mark cream, they would be vitamin A and hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid (as in us best hyaluronic acid serum): is a real powerhouse among moisturizing ingredients. It also helps with wound healing and skin repair. You can safely use a stretch mark cream with hyaluronic acid during pregnancy, including for your face.

Vitamin A: Topically applying stretch mark cream with the acid of this vitamin can provide various positive skin results. A study showed that stretch marks became narrower and shorter after six months of applying vitamin A acid. Vitamin A is also known as retinol and renews the skin. This also makes it a popular ingredient anti aging products. Normally you cannot use retinol during pregnancy as it can cause flaking and redness due to skin renewal. In us best retinol serum we therefore use NovoRetin™. This is a natural form of retinol with an effective effect, without unpleasant side effects. You can even use this form of vitamin A in a stretch mark cream during pregnancy!

A skincare routines with hyaluronic acid and natural retinol can help maintain collagen levels in the skin, promoting skin elasticity.

5. Stretch mark treatment with a laser or microneedling

Certain stretch mark treatments, such as with a laser or small needles (microneedling), are said to visibly fade stretch marks and thus reduce stretch marks. This produces results for some, but it is difficult to predict in advance and moreover, multiple treatments are required and is therefore a costly option in the treatment of stretch marks. After each cosmetic treatment, it is important that the skin is carefully cared for for optimal recovery. Pigment spots can also develop on damaged skin under the influence of pregnancy hormones (you can read more about this here remove pigmentation spots).