The 15 Best Stretch Mark Creams Of 2023

If you’re looking for a non-greasy lotion that does the most, Paula’s Choice goes to work on hyperpigmentation and improves skin firmness—all while minimizing the appearance of stretch marks, both new and old. The biggest downside? At only 4 fluid ounces, the bottle’s pretty tiny, and you’re going to perpetually need to restock.

The Mustela brand prides itself on its largely plant-based but still efficacious formulas safe for mothers and babies, and the Stretch Marks Cream is no exception to this rule. Maracuja oil in the cream keeps skin supple as it stretches, while avocado oil and avocado peptides hydrate and nourish. If you’re sensitive to scent, there’s a fragrance-free version available, too.

Expectant mothers, this lotion that’s been clinically tested—and showed some signs of promise in preventing stretch marks in certain studies—is for you. One reviewer called it a “miracle cream” after being pregnant with twins and only seeing minimal striations at the very end of her term. You can thank the formula’s hydrolysates and centella extract, which, again, Dr. Graf says can help skin bounce back into shape.

Hailed as a “cult classic for scars and stretch marks” by Dr. Graf, Bio Oil should top your list if you prefer the texture of an oil over a heavier cream or lotion. Dispense a few drops of the lightly rose-scented product onto your hands then gently dab it onto your skin and massage in circles. The vitamin A present in the product is said to assist in collagen production by shoring up skin elasticity. But the difference maker for scars and post-pregnancy stretch marks, in particular, just may be the brand’s PurCellin Oil, a proprietary blend that makes the formula super-absorptive. “It’s affordable and deeply hydrates the skin with PurCellin oil,” adds Dr. Graf.

Though typically intended as a solution for acne, a topical retinoid might be your best bet for stubborn stretch marks, and Differin is a trusted, over-the-counter option. “Differin gel may be helpful for treating newly developed stretch marks by speeding up skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen production,” says Dr. Graf. Try it if you’ve developed stretch marks from weight loss or gain (never during pregnancy or while nursing), but always patch test first just to make sure you can tolerate its strength.

Shea, cocoa, and mango butters mingle with vitamins A and E and fatty acids in this super-rich, citrusy-smelling salve that’s now available in a small, easier-to-pack tub. Slather it on and let it melt into your skin for all-over hydration. In the brand’s clinical trials, 76 percent of respondents reported their stretch mark discoloration showed significant improvements after just a month of use.

Mothers-to-be may want to keep a tub of this all-natural, butter-oil hybrid on hand at all times. One reviewer called it a “moisture shield,” which can help in the prevention of stretch mark formation while expecting and after delivery. A little goes a long way, but if you use it consistently during your pregnancy, you will likely need to order it more than once.

Though Fur Oil is typically used to prevent ingrown hairs in intimate areas from head to toe, many users have reported this non-greasy oil blend has helped to diminish the appearance of their stretch marks, scarring, and dark spots over time. “This product has skin nourishing oils, like grapeseed, tea tree, and jojoba, along with vitamins like A and E, to improve skin health,” says Dr. Graf. “Deep hydration helps to prevent stretch marks.”

Part of a line of skincare products that’s generally available through dermatologists’ offices, ZO Skin Health’s 4-star exfoliating lotion contains a bevy of heavy-hitting ingredients which target hyperpigmentation and may also help to soften the look of darkened striations on your body. “The cream has retinol in it to improve collagen production in the skin while also replenishing moisture in the skin with hydrating ingredients, like glycerin,” says Dr. Graf.