13 Best Stretch Mark Treatments

Stretch marks typically emerge after the skin undergoes a rapid stretching process — oftentimes during pregnancy or periods of swift weight gain or loss. Thus, they don’t just affect expectant mothers. Appearance-wise, stretch marks have an initial red, pink, or purple tone that fades to a skin-colored hue. No need to worry about discomfort with stretch marks, however. They aren’t painful or harmful to your health.

Also referred to as tiger or warrior stripes, certain celebrities have become forthright in publicly embracing their stretch marks. You’ve likely seen Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and model Ashley Graham touting their tiger lines on social media. Undoubtedly, it’s an empowering display of solidarity in body consciousness and appreciation.

Depending on your stance, you may either prefer to wear your stretch marks out and proud or find a way to conceal them. The featured remedies on this list are mother-approved and proven effective as treatments for stretch marks. They aren’t entirely capable of erasing stretch marks to the point of invisibility — you’d have to see a dermatologist for that. However, the hydrating ingredients in these formulas (such as hyaluronic acid) can help restore your skin’s elasticity, ultimately helping stretch marks to fade.

Best stretch mark treatments overview:

• Best overall: Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
• Best budget: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Pregnancy Stretch Marks
• Best lotion: Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
• Best for pregnancy: Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
• Best all-over: Body Merry Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream
• Best oil: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
• Best cream: Mustela Stretch Marks Cream
• Best for uneven skin tone: Peter Thomas Roth PRO Strength Stretch Mark Cream
• Best for daily use: Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Cream
• Best for tummies: Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter
• Best for face: StriVectin SD Advanced PLUS Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate
• Best allergen-friendly: Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter
• Best splurge: ALASTIN Skincare TransFORM Body Treatment

How we chose the best stretch mark remedies

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including ingredients, texture, and more to create a short list of the top stretch mark creams. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best stretch mark treatment for each category.

Our picks for the best stretch mark treatments

All skin types can benefit from this retinol moisturizing body lotion, as it has a reputation for diminishing stretch marks, uneven skin tone, and dry skin. The advanced yet gentle topical features powerful antioxidants and deeply moisturizing ingredients, like plant oils and natural butters, to leave you with soothing results. It also contains uneven tone-correcting retinol, a rejuvenating ingredient that reportedly produces firmer skin. 

We highly recommend this rich formula for its silky and nongreasy texture, as it’s less likely to stain your clothes or furniture. It’s also lightweight to the point where it glides effortlessly onto the skin. Unfortunately, the formula isn’t entirely natural, as it contains glycerin, and it’s quite costly compared to other products on this list.

Application area: From the neck down | Main ingredients: Shea Butter⁠, vitamin C⁠, retinol⁠, glycerin | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 4 oz

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion is an affordable, pregnancy-friendly moisturizer you can safely use from head to toe. Formulated to produce softer yet firmer skin, the lotion is clinically proven to reduce stretch marks and improve skin elasticity visibly. According to the brand, beneficial results following application should last up to 48 hours.

The ingredient list includes moisturizing cocoa butter, shea butter, collagen, and natural oils. It’s free of parabens, fragrance, and mineral-oils, making it a relatively safe formula for mothers and others. The dermatologist-approved lotion is also hypoallergenic, so you shouldn’t have much to worry about if you have sensitive skin. Professionals also recommend it for minimizing stretch marks caused by pregnancy and fluctuating weight. 

Now for the downsides: The product’s original formula has undergone some changes that some customers aren’t pleased with. According to recent reviews following the reformulation, the smell is undesirable, and the formula pills when applied to the skin.

Application area: All over | Main ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter, vitamin E | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 10.6 oz

Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy is a cream-based topical loaded with legitimate skin health benefits. The nourishing lotion features a clinically tested blend of hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, suggested to minimize stretch marks. 

The triple-action formula works to soften and level uneven skin texture. It accomplishes this by reaching beneath the skin’s surface to seal moisture, accelerate cell renewal, and promote collagen formation. 

Our only hesitation about this cream is the amount of time it takes to see results. The manifestation of visible results could take up to 12 weeks with daily application, so you’ll have to be patient. If you have sensitive skin, tread lightly, as some reviews cited side effects like itchiness and redness.

Application area: All over | Main ingredients: Cepalin botanical extract, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica extract | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 5.29 oz

This one’s made specifically for mama bears. Use this butter during and after pregnancy, and you’ll likely end up with buttery and velvet-like skin. Its 99% natural origin formula is enriched with soothing and softening ingredients like shea butter and nourishing jojoba oils — which are suggested to minimize wrinkles and improve the skin’s elasticity. 

Another good quality of this butter is that it’s free of parabens, petrolatum, and phthalates. As a warning, though, the formula does contain the potentially skin-irritating ingredient glycerin. It only becomes irritable when the ingredient is used in high concentrations, but we have no confirmation of the formula’s quantity of glycerin content. Aside from that, it’s an ideal companion while getting through the “stretch and recover” post-pregnancy phase.

Application area: Belly, breasts | Main ingredients: Shea butter, sunflower seed oil, glycerin | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 6.5 oz

Body Merry created this nourishing formula to enhance skin elasticity and reduce stretch marks and scars. The all-natural defense cream provides top-level moisture by deeply penetrating beneath the surface of your skin. 

It’s infused with hydrating cocoa and shea butters along with other moisture-replenishing vitamins. Suitable for all skin types, this stretch mark cream can help snap your skin back into shape whether pregnant, scarred, or experiencing weight fluctuations. One notable not-so-lovable feature of this formula, though, is its runny texture.

Application area: All over | Main ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter, vitamins (E, C, B3, B5) | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 4 oz

This isn’t a cream, per se. However, oil can be equally effective in repairing and refining stretch mark-prone skin. This especially rings true for Bio-Oil’s Skincare Oil. The brand confirmed that this oil was the first of its kind to be submitted for clinical trials.

As a result of multiple trial successes, this skincare oil is now highly recommended by doctors and pharmacists on a global scale. Having received over 400 skincare awards, it’s pretty up there as one of the world’s leading stretch mark topicals. Expectant parents and scarred individuals alike have also enjoyed this oil’s benefits. It’s friendly to all skin types and noncomedogenic, meaning it has anti-pore-clogging properties.

The formula mainly consists of mineral oils, which some are concerned about for safety reasons. Bio-Oil warns that use may result in irritable skin conditions (like contact dermatitis or rashes) for certain individuals. Thus, you may want to avoid it if you have extremely sensitive skin. The oil’s smell might turn you off, too.

Application area: Directly on stretch marks and scars | Main ingredients: Vitamin A, vitamin E, chamomile, sunflower seed oil, lavender oil | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 6.7 oz

Mustela’s Stretch Marks Cream is a secret weapon for smoother skin after stretch marks. The rich formula has a creamy, velvety texture that lathers on gently. The quick-absorbing hydrating solution works double time to reduce stretch marks while pregnant. 

Its formulaic makeup consists of 96% naturally derived ingredients, including skin-strengthening avocado peptides, as well as elastin-restoring hamamelis plant extract. It’s confirmed safe for expectant and postpartum mothers. The cream is also hypoallergenic and paraben- and phenoxyethanol-free, which are irritable skincare ingredients.

Unfortunately, this cream isn’t entirely safe for mothers who take the C-section route. If you have new cesarean scars, the brand advises you not to apply this product to your freshly scarred skin. The formula also contains glycerin (although plant-based) that may cause skin irritations like rashes or itchiness when used in high concentrations.

Application area: Breasts, abdomen, hips, thighs | Main ingredients: Avocado oil, plant-based glycerin | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 5.07 oz

Featuring a proprietary ingredient blend that includes moisturizing shea butter, cocoa butter, and a lactic acid complex, the advanced formula goes to great depths to make existing stretch marks fade to near obscurity while preventing the emergence of new stretch marks. 

It’s equally effective in improving the appearance of your skin’s even tone and level of thickness. The result? Softer, smoother, and firmer skin. The only thing we’re not a fan of is the price. It’s not the most expensive stretch mark cream on this list, but it’s certainly not the cheapest.

Application area: All over | Main ingredients: Lactic acid complex, shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil | Safe for pregnancy: Not specified | Size: 3.4 oz

The Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Cream has had a bit of a revamp. The new and improved formula features added plant power, and it’s a lot gentler and more “mom-friendly” than the original. When you lather it onto your skin, you’ll find that it quickly absorbs and wastes no time combating stretch marks. The catch? It’s pricey.

Application area: Thighs, hips, belly, breasts | Main ingredients: Centella asiatica, green banana extract, glycyrrhetinic acid, hazelnut oil | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 5.8 oz

A buttery and bump-friendly protection cream, we love this formula’s rich and soothing texture more than anything else. With deeply hydrating ingredients, this Tummy Rub Butter has clinical proof of restoring skin suppleness and elasticity after stretch marks. However, it might only have this effect on certain skin types rather than all. Its soothing, moisture-replenishing, and overall invigorating feel makes it an ideal choice for moms, especially.

Application area: Breasts, belly, bottom | Main ingredients: Avocado oil, inchi oil, argan oil | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 4 oz

This wrinkle-smoothing moisturizer has more to offer than just stretch mark relief. Its advanced and intensive formula features heavily concentrated ingredients, like collagen-boosting copper tripeptides and moisture-replenishing white water lily extract. Clinical tests have proven its effective in leaving users with hydrated, softer, and supple skin. High-quality products like this typically come at a high price, and this moisturizer is no exception.

Application area: Face, targeted areas with stretch marks | Main ingredients: Copper tripeptide, sea salt ferment, white water lily extract | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 3 oz

The cleanliness of the Earth Mama Organics Belly Butter formula makes it an ideal choice for individuals with easily irritable skin. The organic oils featured in this belly butter can provide stretch mark relief to the most sensitive skin types, helping to soften and restore natural elasticity in your skin. The fact that this stretch mark solution is petroleum-, mineral oil-, and artificial fragrance-free makes it the most allergen-friendly choice in this roundup.

The formula’s scent, which emulates the smell of orange peels, is either hit or miss depending on who you ask. Moms-to-be with heightened smell sensitivity will either love or hate the natural scent it gives off. If you aren’t used to using skincare products with primarily organic ingredients, you may initially experience some minor side effects as your skin adjusts.

Application area: Belly | Main ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, sunflower seed oil, vegetable glycerin, shea butter | Safe for pregnancy: Yes | Size: 8 oz

This multi-award-winning pick has a spa-quality vibe that its contenders can’t quite seem to match. Perfect for crepey skin in need of a retouch, the corrective formula is proven to produce firmer, more toned skin. This is all thanks to its supercharged ingredient list that includes its patented Lipodrone delivery system for increased suppleness, along with its collagen-promoting TriHex Technology. 

It can also serve as a great follow-up to an occasional (or routine) body-sculpting treatment, as it’s formulated to help accelerate treatment results. There’s no question about this formula’s efficacy — it works. You just have to pay a high price to enjoy its transformative benefits. Is it entirely safe for pregnancy? It varies on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll have to check with your health care provider to confirm if it’s safe for you.

Application area: All over | Main ingredients: Hexapeptide-11, dill extract, linseed extract | Safe for pregnancy: Varies | Size: 5.95 oz

At the final stretch

The body’s tendency to form stretch marks is a natural part of life — especially for expectant mothers. Whether you choose to wear them as a badge of honor or conceal them is entirely up to you. While creams and oils aren’t capable of eliminating stretch marks, they can help reduce their appearance to make them less visible to the public eye.

Our top pick for a stretch mark remedy is Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment. Because of its high-performing formula with star-studded ingredients that are suitable for all skin types, we’re confident it’ll appeal to all of our readers. However, don’t let that stop you from trying the other fabulous contenders on this list. 

How to pick the right stretch mark treatment for you

Consider the following factors when deciding on a stretch mark remedy.

Ingredients

Shea and cocoa butters are two hydrating ingredients to look for. These ingredients provide sufficient moisture to last for several hours between use. Retinol is another powerful ingredient to help correct uneven skin tone. 

Application area

Some stretch mark treatments are only safe to apply to certain areas of the body, while others are safe for all-over application. Typical target areas include the chest, belly, and leg areas.

Safety 

Certain stretch mark treatments have undergone rigorous testing to prove efficacy in eradicating stretch marks, including Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion. Most products are safe for expectant mothers. However, some are not. It’s important to keep that in mind when deciding on a particular product.

FAQ

What works best on stretch marks? 

We chose Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment as our No. 1 overall pick due to its high-performing formula with powerful ingredients. We also love the fact that it’s formulated for all skin types. 

What stretch mark cream do celebrities use?

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion is favored and used by quite a few celebrities, including Khloe Kardashian and Nicki Minaj.

What’s the fastest way to get rid of stretch marks?

The quickest way to eradicate stretch marks is to seek treatment from a professional dermatologist.