Stretch marks can occur almost anywhere on the body, and are usually as a result of gaining or losing weight quickly. While our skin is incredibly elastic, it does have a limit as to how far it can stretch before it starts breaking down. The two main components of our skins elasticity are collagen and elastin, and once the skin is stretched past a certain point they can no longer work effectively. There are many skin care creams that can help alleviate not only the apperance, but also the occurance of stretch marks.
Stretch marks actually occur in the dermis of the skin, which is the middle layer. This layer consists of collagen, which gives your skin it’s elasticity. If this layer is subjected to prolonged periods of stretching, it will begin to loose it’s elasticity, which prompts the body to produce more collagen in the affected area. This then creates scars at the dermis level which show through as stretch marks on the surface of the skin. It is true that some people seem more prone to stretch marks that others, and this is purely down to the differences in skin structure meaning some peoples skin is more elastic and durable than others. Unfortunately there is no way of telling if you are prone to stretch marks until you start to notice you have them, however there are many skin care creams on the market that can help you reduce the appearance and recurrence of stretch marks in the future.
Palmers Cocoa Butter
Palmers Cocoa Butter has long been a tried and trusted stretch mark cream. They have an ever expanding range of creams, including some that are olive oil based. The original Palmers Cocoa Butters is a thick, rich cream that contains vitamin E, coconut oil and cocoa seed butter. It has a rich, almost vanilla smell, and is easy to apply. It not only works wonders on dry skin, but it also smooths scars and stretch marks. All of their creams are suitable for use both during and after pregnancy, so you can choose the one that you like best, daily use may well prevent severe stretch marks forming, while fading the appearance of any existing ones.
Bio-Oil
Bio-Oil is another favoured product when it comes to dry, dehydrated skin and stretch marks. With it’s revolutionary PurCellin Oil™, Bio-Oil can be used all over your body to give you soft, supple skin. It has a blend of vitamins A and E along with Calendula, Lavender, Rosemary and Chamomile and the result is a lovely smelling, light but incredibly effective skin oil that can be used during pregnancy to help prevent stretch marks, and on any existing stretch marks or areas of uneven skin tone. Unlike many skin oils, Bio-Oil won’t leave your skin feeling heavy or greasy, and it is one of the few truly nourishing skin oils that you can also use on your face without the risk of blocking your pores.
Dermology Stretch Mark Cream
Dermology Stretch Mark Cream is also incredibly effective in reducing the appearance of stretch marks and preventing new ones appearing. With ingredients such as squalene Oil, vitamins E, A and D3, Aloe Vera and Grapefruit Seed Extract it certainly packs a punch when it comes to skin nourishment. Again this skin care cream is suitable for use during pregnancy and smells pleasant.
Check out our Free Samples page for a sample of Dermology Stretch Mark Cream.
