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Ah, stretch marks. Sometimes we love them, and sometimes we can't bear the sight of them, especially when the warmer months roll around. You're not alone if you've already begun your search for the best stretch mark creams ahead of the summer season. While they usually appear on the thighs, butt, stomach, or arms, stretch marks aren't relegated to a certain part of your body or don't pop up when you hit a particular age, and are a completely normal part of your body evolving. These marks typically appear when the skin rapidly stretches or shrinks, be it after pregnancy or weight loss.
Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, shares that “when the skin heals from this trauma, many people will develop stretch marks.” It's also important to keep in mind that whether you get stretch marks or not is largely up to genetics.
Our top picks for the best stretch mark creams in 2023:
Since stretch marks are actually scars, DeRosa says a stretch mark cream is not going to completely remove them. However, stretch mark creams may help prevent them as well as reduce their appearance when used early on (and consistently!). Stretch mark creams aren't a magic, one-and-done product, but we consulted experts and online customer reviews to find the 13 best ones on the market to give you results you'll be proud of.
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs
Pros
- Visibly brightens and smoothes skin
Cons
- Spout squeezes out too much product
Slather comes packed with AHAs and retinol to gently exfoliate and slough away impurities to reveal a brighter, smoother, and more even complexion.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “I bought this product because it had good reviews and I really loved it as well. I use it on my back and arms at night and I wake up with a nice and soft skin.”
| Key ingredients | Retinol, AHAs |
|---|---|
| Size | 5 oz |
Pros
- Minimizes appearance of scars
- Changes appear quickly
Cons
- May not be suited for sensitive skin
This product can be applied to your legs to minimize stretch marks, even if you’ve had them for a few years. The oil is packed with powerhouse ingredients like natural oils and vitamin A to hydrate skin, improve its appearance, and even out your skin tone.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I just had a surgery. I always used Bio-Oil, it works great for any incision I’ve ever had, and helps with the scarring, in many cases it has lightened a scar so much that I can’t even tell that it’s there anymore. It helps retain moisture, and it helps with toning and aging as well. I use it every day lightly on my face, and it definitely makes a difference!”
| Key ingredienrs | Vitamin E, rosemary oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 oz |
Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert
Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Expert
Pros
- Good texture
Cons
- Difficult to dispense
Clarins' thick stretch mark cream is formulated with plant-based ingredients to target stretch marks. Not only is the cream fragrance-free, but the texture is heavenly and melts right into the skin.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I used it every day, twice a day, for about a month, and the stretch marks have reduced a lot.”
| Key ingredients | Centella Asiatica |
|---|---|
| Size | 5.8 oz |
ML Manuela Lubin Delicate Beauty Advanced Stretch Mark Removal Cream
ML Manuela Lubin Delicate Beauty Advanced Stretch Mark Removal Cream
Pros
- Targets visible stretch marks
Cons
- Product may not last long
This cream contains two ingredients that are helpful in minimizing stretch marks: hyaluronic acid and silicones. Combined with moisturizing actives, the formula will help smooth the feel of stretch marks. It penetrates deeply to repair uneven skin tone and restores texture for firmer skin.
Amazon rating: 3.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I was a bit skeptical at first but now that I've been using it continuously, I absolutely LOVE it. It works so so well. Highly recommend!”
| Key ingredients | Squalane, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 4 oz |
Peter Thomas Roth PRO Strength Stretch Mark Cream
Peter Thomas Roth PRO Strength Stretch Mark Cream
Pros
- Helps target the appearance of future stretch marks
Cons
- Can’t be used on breasts
This expert-level body cream will help visibly reduce the width, length, and density of marks on the skin. It’s made with shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, and ceramide NP, which all work to diminish the appearance of uneven tone and texture while moisturizing skin.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “After having twins, my body took a great hit with lots of stretch marks! This cream works and every day I notice them getting smaller! I love Thomas Roth's products. They all work, I am actually in shock by the negative remarks.”
| Key ingredients | Lactic acid |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.4 oz |
Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment
Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben free and cruelty free
Cons
- Pricey
DeRose says this Alastin body treatment is one of her top picks. She shares that “its triHex Technology helps tone the skin and increase the production of collagen and elastin.” The product hydrates the skin from the inside out with key botanicals to support the production of hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans.
Alastin rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Alastin reviewer said: “My first bottle I didn’t think it did anything but I went ahead and purchased a second bottle. It takes time but I do see a difference in my skin. You have to be consistent and patient but it works. There’s no miracle out there but it certainly looks way better. I will continue to use it for sure.”
First Aid Beauty KP Smoothing Body Lotion with 10% AHA
First Aid Beauty KP Smoothing Body Lotion with 10% AHA
Pros
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- Bad smell
Dr. Libby recommends First Aid Beauty KP Lotion for decreasing stretch marks on your arms. It’s a smoothing, multitasking body lotion that will moisturize your skin while slowly eliminating the appearance of any bumps, stretch marks, and imperfections.
Ulta rating: 4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I have been trying to find a lotion for my teen daughter's upper arms. We have tried many including one by a Dr. None worked. We bought this lotion 5 days ago and my daughter has put it in daily. Almost smooth as butter. Will for sure be buying again!”
| Size | 6.0 oz |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Lactic acid, colloidal oatmeal |
Curel Ultra Healing Lotion
Curel Ultra Healing Lotion
Pros
- Long lasting effect
- Non-greasy formula
Cons
- Strong smell
With an unbeatable formulation of glycerin, oat, and shea butter, this lotion will boost skin hydration and keep it plump to ensure stretch marks stay at bay.
Target rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Target reviewer said: “Best body lotion that I have found. Always go back to Curel after using alternatives. Keeps skin soft overnight which other products don’t.”
| Key ingredients | Ceramides |
|---|---|
| Size | 20 oz |
Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
Pros
- Made from natural ingredients
- Lightweight
Cons
- Off-putting scent
Perfect for expecting mothers, Burt's Bees Belly Butter leaves your growing stomach soft and nourished. The shea butter and vitamin E-filled product help to reveal supple skin as you’re recovering after birth.
Burts Bees rating: 4/5 stars
A Burts Bees reviewer said: “It was my first pregnancy and I was really worried of getting stretch marks, I did so much online research to find the right product and I am glad it was this one! I started since the second trimester it kept my skin so smooth the entire time and luckily for me I did get not a single mark now am 6 months post delivery and my belly skin bounced back beautifully. Thank you Burts Bees.”
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.5 oz |
Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
Pros
- Reduces discoloration
- Hydrates the skin
Cons
- Unpleasant scent
This thick cream can easily be massaged into your skin and brings together hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, and cephalin botanical extract, which is a proprietary onion extract that reduces swelling and inflammation naturally.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “After having my baby in early Oct 2022 I held off of using any products for my stretch marks in hopes my weight loss would resolve them but it didn’t...at all. I finally sought out this product after my sister raved about it and wow, I saw results within a week at 3 months PP. I am 2 weeks in and my lighter stretch marks are nearly gone and my darker ones are fading at a great rate. Of course the tiger stripes are still there but the color of stretch marks significantly improved with this product, highly recommend!”
| Key ingredients | Cephalin botanical extract |
|---|---|
| Size | 5.29 oz |
Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Pros
- Firming, visibly smooth skin
Cons
- You run out quickly
For skin that is noticeably smoother, DeRosa suggests using this fragrance-free lotion from Paula's Choice that hydrates, enhances texture, fights discoloration, and restores resilience. Plus, it’s made with retinol, shea butter, and evening primrose oil to reveal healthier-looking skin.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I like this product, it has made my skin look much better. I am 78, so it is hard to find a product that makes an improvement.”
| Key ingredients | Retinol, vitamins E and C |
|---|---|
| Size | 4 oz |
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion
Pros
- Affordable price
- Hydrating
Cons
- Stronger scent if you’re sensitive
Palmer's lotion is a cult-classic product—and for good reason. The lotion is rich in hydrating ingredients that absorb well into your skin. Key ingredients include argan oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Very good moisturizer, I have been using it since the beginning of my pregnancy along with another product. I can feel my skin stays moisturized for a long time! Not a strong smell.”
| Key ingredients | Argan oil, shea butter |
|---|---|
| Size | 8.5 oz |
Andalou Naturals Body Butter
Pros
- Renews skin at the cellular level
Cons
- Strong scent
Formulated with a combination of shea and cocoa butter, this velvety soft product is designed to moisturize and deeply nourish the skin. It contains ingredients such as alpine rose stem cells, rosehip, and argan oils, which help soften and smooth the skin.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Lasting moisture throughout the day with a light pleasant scent. Love this stuff!”
| Key ingredients | Aloe vera, antioxidants |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 oz |
What should you look for when buying stretch mark creams?
The reality is that there is no magical product that will completely erase your stretch marks. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Libby shares that you should look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Centella Asiatica, and retinol/retinoids. The key is to find a product with ingredients that will add moisture, increase hydration, and support the development of new healthy collagen and elastin in your skin. Some of those ingredients are cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil.
When should you expect to see results?
Most of the time, you’ll begin noticing subtle changes, but around the six-month mark is when you will really see results. Once you begin seeing results, ensure you keep up with consistent use of the cream of your choice to continue seeing your stretch marks decrease.
What do results look like?
Since stretch marks may not be able to fully disappear, the creams shared will simply help decrease the appearance of your stretch marks, not erase them. After using your stretch mark cream over a period of time (six to 12 months), you may begin noticing that your skin will feel more moisturized and your stretch marks may start fading in appearance. But, a little patience and consistency are required in order to really see your desired results.
Meet the experts
Dr. Jaimie DeRosa is a Florida-based board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery and Med Spa.
Dr. Tiffany Libby is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic and laser dermatology.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Sydney Wingfield is a contributor for ELLE.com and a freelance writer with expertise in wellness and skincare.
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
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