Many factors, including genetics, weight loss or gain, and pregnancy, can cause stretch marks.

The lines can appear pink, red, purple or silver, and usually appear on the stomach, bottom, thighs, and breasts.

While stretch marks will generally fade over time, a quality product will potentially speed up the process as well as make the skin feel softer and smoother.

Read on for details of six great products designed to minimise the appearance of stretch marks.

My Expert Midwife’s Fantastic Skin Elastic

Formulated for use during pregnancy and beyond, My Expert Midwife’s product is more like a serum than an oil. Made with vitamin E to encourage elasticity and beeswax to lock in moisture, the Fantastic Skin Elastic is lightly fragranced with essential oils like grapefruit, geranium, calendula, and lavender. Remember: A little goes a long way!

Secret Saviours

Say no to stretch marks with Secret Saviours’ simple three-step prevention system. The Stretch Mark Prevention Band Kit contains a day gel that’s designed to moisturise and prime, a belly band printed with special pads that gently grip the skin, and a night cream packed with collagen-boosting Centella Asiatica to hydrate after use. Brand founder Sophie Hooper recommends starting using the kit as soon as your bump starts to show.

Mother GAIA Body Oil

This luxurious offering is formulated with sesame, calendula, and geranium oils to really soothe and improve the elasticity of the skin. For best results, apply all over the body using long, sweeping strokes every morning and evening. Added bonus: the minimalist packaging will look super chic in your bathroom cabinet.

Weleda’s Stretch Mark Body Butter

Give your stretch marks a little TLC with Weleda’s brand-new launch. Made with natural ingredients such as shea butter and cocoa butter, this product is vegan-friendly and also features a delicate mix of calming essential oils, including rose, neroli, and myrrh. Perfect for use after a relaxing bath.

Palmer’s Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks

Harnessing the power of pure cocoa butter and shea butter, as well as natural oils, this delicately fragranced lotion helps improve skin elasticity and the appearance of stretch marks. It can be used throughout pregnancy or while experiencing weight fluctuation. Use in place of your regular moisturiser twice a day.

VOYA’s Mama Oil

For some women, hormonal changes mean pregnancy can leave their skin feeling dry, itchy, or sensitive. With this in mind, the expert team at VOYA has developed Mama Oil, which features a unique blend of fucus serratus and golden seaweed extracts as well as silky jojoba and cacay seed oils to help soothe and reduce the appearance of those stretch marks or scars. The oil can also be used for pregnancy or postnatal massage.

– Cover Media