Stretch Mark Care During Pregnancy
Stretch marks (striae gravidarum) during pregnancy are caused by rapid skin stretching combined with hormonal changes that affect skin elasticity. You cannot prevent them completely if you are genetically predisposed, but consistent moisturising, supporting skin hydration from the inside, and using nourishing oils or balms on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs can improve skin resilience and reduce severity.
Stretch marks appear on around 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women and show up most commonly on the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, and upper arms. They are entirely normal, a visible sign of the remarkable physical change your body is going through. But that does not mean there is nothing useful you can do.
This guide covers when stretch marks appear, what actually helps, what products to look for, and how to build a simple pregnancy skin care routine that works with your changing body rather than against it.
Why do stretch marks appear during pregnancy?
During pregnancy your hormones can soften the fibres of your skin, making it more prone to stretch marks. Whether or not you get stretch marks has a lot to do with the elasticity of your skin as well as how rapidly your skin is expanding. The faster your skin stretches, the more likely it is to leave a mark.
Stretch marks usually fade on their own over time. Although there isn’t a treatment that will get rid of stretch marks completely, there are things you can do to help reduce their appearance and texture. The results vary from person to person and depend largely on your genetics, diet, and lifestyle habits.
When do stretch marks appear during pregnancy?
Most stretch marks develop in the second and third trimesters, when growth accelerates most rapidly, particularly between weeks 20 and 30. For some women they appear earlier; for others not until the final weeks. They typically start as pink, red, or purple streaks and fade to silver-white after birth. Fading can take several months to two years postpartum.
Genetics play the largest role in whether you get stretch marks. If your mother and grandmother had them, you are more likely to as well. Skin care cannot override genetics, but it can support skin that is under significant stretch stress, which is always worth doing.
Support dry, stretching skin
Nourish skin through the stretch
The Mum Bub Hub Nourishing Skin Oil is formulated for pregnant and postpartum skin , a blend of plant oils that support hydration and skin suppleness during periods of rapid change. Use daily from the second trimester onwards.
Shop Skin OilPlanning note:
No cream, oil, or product can guarantee to prevent stretch marks, and you should be wary of any that claims otherwise. What consistent moisturising does do is keep skin hydrated and supple, which may reduce the depth and visibility of marks that do appear. Always choose products free from retinoids (vitamin A derivatives), which are not recommended during pregnancy.
What can help skin feel more comfortable?
- Drink enough water throughout the day.
- Eat colourful fruit and vegetables, protein, healthy fats and zinc-rich foods.
- Separate oils for different areas , one good body oil applied consistently across the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs is all you need
- Apply moisturising products after showering while skin is still warm.
- Avoid harsh exfoliation if skin feels sensitive or irritated.
Checklist
Your pregnancy stretch mark care routine
Work through this checklist to build a consistent routine from the second trimester onwards. Consistency matters more than which specific product you use.
Pregnancy stretch mark care checklist
What to look for in a pregnancy skin oil or balm
- Pregnancy-safe ingredients only: Avoid products containing retinoids (vitamin A), salicylic acid at high concentrations, and synthetic fragrances. Choose products formulated specifically for pregnancy or clearly labelled as safe for use during pregnancy.
- Rich in skin-nourishing plant oils: Look for rosehip oil (high in essential fatty acids), camellia, jojoba, sea buckthorn, and argan, these absorb well and provide meaningful hydration and skin-barrier support.
- Light enough for daily use: Heavy products that sit on the surface and feel greasy are harder to use consistently. A good pregnancy oil should absorb within a few minutes.
What you probably do not need
The pregnancy skincare market includes a lot of products that claim more than the evidence supports. Avoid spending on:
- Products with dramatic "prevent stretch marks" claims , no product can guarantee this; genetics and speed of growth are the dominant factors
- Specialist "stretch mark creams" with long ingredient lists , a simple, well-formulated oil with a few quality plant oils often performs as well as or better than complex formulations
- Separate oils for different areas , one good body oil applied consistently across the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs is all you need
- Vitamin E oil applied neat , while vitamin E has some skin benefits in formulations, applying pure vitamin E oil neat can cause contact dermatitis in some people; use it as part of a blend rather than alone
Oil or belly balm: which should you choose?
Choose oil if you prefer a massage glide and a lighter ritual. Choose balm if your skin feels very dry and you want a richer, more protective texture. Some people use both at different times of day.
Pregnancy body care options
Simple. Nourishing. Pregnancy-safe
Use oil for massage and balm when skin feels dry, tight or in need of extra comfort.
FAQs
Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?
You cannot completely prevent stretch marks if you are genetically predisposed , the two biggest factors are genetics and the speed of skin growth, neither of which is controlled by topical products. What consistent moisturising can do is keep skin as hydrated and supple as possible during rapid growth, which may reduce the depth and appearance of marks that do form. Starting early , from the second trimester , gives the best window for this support.
When do stretch marks appear during pregnancy?
Most stretch marks develop in the second and third trimesters, particularly between weeks 20 and 30 when growth accelerates fastest. Some women see them earlier; others not until the final weeks or even immediately after birth. They typically start as pink, red, or purple streaks and fade to silver-white over the months following birth.
What is the best oil for stretch marks during pregnancy in the UK?
The most evidence-supported plant oils for skin hydration during pregnancy include rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and sea buckthorn. Look for a pregnancy-safe formulation that combines two or more of these rather than a single-ingredient product. Consistent daily application matters more than which specific oil you use. Always check that the product is free from retinoids and formulated for use during pregnancy.
Do stretch marks from pregnancy fade after birth?
Yes , most stretch marks fade significantly over time. The red, pink, or purple appearance typical during pregnancy gradually transitions to silver-white as the pigment disperses. This fading can take anywhere from a few months to two years. Continued moisturising postpartum supports skin texture and the fading process. Complete disappearance is not guaranteed, but significant improvement is common for most women.
Give your skin the support it deserves.
You cannot control everything about how your skin changes in pregnancy. But consistent daily nourishment from a good pregnancy oil is one of the simplest, most effective things you can do to support it through every stage.
Shop the Nourishing Skin Oil