5 Natural Stretch Mark Cream Ingredients You Need to Know About
We all have marks on our bodies that we stare at from time to time, dark spots or lines, and stretch marks that we wish we could get rid of. Contrary to popular belief, you are not alone. Almost everyone has stretch marks or markings somewhere on their skin.
Stretch marks form when the skin is stretched quickly, and that can occur during a growth spurt, pregnancy, or when you gained 15lbs in freshman year. Regardless of how they formed, products are available to help diminish the appearance of stretch marks, deter them from forming while moisturizing and tightening the skin. Almost everyone is susceptible to getting stretch marks, but solutions do exist to nip those pesky buggers in the bud.
So without further ado, here are the ingredients you need to know about to help you get rid of those small skin imperfections and have you feeling your best inside and out!
#1 Shea Butter
Known for its hair and skin benefits, this fat-based, all-natural, active ingredient is popular in medicinal ointments and cosmetic products. Shea butter has natural antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and can even be found in sunblock for its ability to absorb ultra-violet radiation.
With numerous benefits, Shea butter is a staple in moisturizing and stretch mark creams due to its hydrating and damage repairing properties. It provides healing and preventative measures for everything from stretch marks, to dry skin and can even be used for burns, scars, and wrinkles. It is important to use shea butter in its raw and unrefined form as the more processing it goes through the less potent it becomes.
#2 Avocado Seed Extract
Avocado is known across the beauty industry as an antioxidant-rich moisturizing agent but it is also very effective in combatting the formation of wrinkles and tackling stretch marks. Commonly found as an ingredient in numerous beauty and moisturizing products, avocado seed extract has pro-inflammatory chemicals that help to reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. With collagen-stimulating properties, this natural wonder strengthens the skin and helps deter the formation of stretch marks by keeping skin supple and hydrated.
#3 Hyaluronic Acid
Found within your joints, connective tissue, and tear ducts, this gel-like substance is naturally produced by your body helping to lubricate eyes and tissues by assisting in the retention of moisture. This powerful moisturizing agent helps to ensure smoother, younger-looking skin by continuously replenishing our natural stores as we produce less and less hyaluronic acid as we age. It is for these reasons the majority of anti-aging and moisturizing products contain hyaluronic acid.
Dry inelastic skin is highly vulnerable to the creation of stretch marks and hyaluronic acid helps in combatting their formation and appearance. It does so by adding the moisturizing and elasticizing components our skin requires. For existing markings, this acid with incredible water retention abilities fills in deep-set stretch marks and wrinkles, and even wounds providing deep hydration and minimizing their appearance.
#4 Bentonite
Also referred to as Bentonite Clay, this naturally occurring detoxifying agent has been used for centuries as it is filled with minerals to repair your skin, digestion, and more. It works by nourishing your skin with everything from calcium, magnesium, silica and the list goes on but it really depends on where the bentonite was found for an in-depth breakdown.
Known for its ability to draw out negative toxins from your skin and body, this substance is widely used in skin care products to exfoliate the skin, clean, and shrink pores. Bentonite’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness by rebuilding damaged tissues and regenerating damaged skin.
#5 Vitamin E
A nutrient your body requires for a variety of functions, Vitamin E is an all-natural, highly beneficial addition to your skin regimen. Vitamin E can assist in everything from supporting your immune system to cell regeneration and is used topically due to its anti-oxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Within topical ointments, creams and lotions – it is a staple ingredient to promote wound healing, reduce discomforts of itchy skin, treat stretch marks and wrinkles, helps prevent sunburns, and helps minimize the appearance of scars. As a stretch mark is a type of scarring, vitamin E is definitely a chemical you want to look for in your search for a stretch mark cream.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
The beauty industry has many players and lucky for us consumers, that means we have a lot of options to choose from! When shopping for your next stretch mark cream, check out the ingredients list to understand what it contains and if it has these 5 main ingredients you want to look for.
Many products combine these ingredients and refer to them as something else so this is something you should look into when you are shopping. Maelys Cosmetics B-Flat, for example, refers to their Body³ Complex™ which is a 3-in-1 skin enhancer that actually combines Bentonite, Shea Butter extract, and avocado fruit extract. Clarins calls their botanical solution the PhytoStretchComplex, which is their innovative formula made from the extract of organic green bananas as well as Centella Asiatica, also known as tiger grass.
The industry creates and throws around these buzz terms and that’s why we at RewindGuide tried to make it a little easier to navigate through these unchartered waters. We are here to help you find a solution to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and help prevent more from forming. Helping you find the right ingredients is our mission because you deserve to feel your best inside and out.
RewindGuide’s 2021
Best Stretch Mark Cream
Buying Breakdown
Maely’s B FLAT Belly Firming Cream
Read review
Palmer’s Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
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Bio-Oil’s Skincare Oil
Read review
Read the Full Guide