A new baby is a bundle of joy, there’s no doubt about it. But those squiggly, purplish lines left running across your once even-toned skin after Sweetie’s tucked safely in your arms? Not so much. A reader recently asked if there’s anything she could do to make her stretch marks disappear.
While there isn’t a magic potion that’s going to bring your body back to its pre-baby state, you can take steps to minimize the look of these noble-yet-frustratingly-noticeable lines on your belly, chest or wherever else they snuck up on you. Here are some of the most popular topical solutions:
Argan oil. Known in skincare circles as “liquid gold,” argan oil has been restoring texture, elasticity and tone to skin since ancient times. Besides being lightweight and easily absorbed, this amazing oil is rich in vitamin E, essential fatty acids and other phytonutrients that nourish and promote healthy skin. Apply Acure Organics Organic Argan Oil directly to stretch marks or scars.
Vitamin E oil. Naturally moisturizing, vitamin E oil also offers antioxidant protection, which is really important for vulnerable, newly scarred skin. You can get it anywhere, but make sure you look for a 100% vitamin E oil like this one, delivering 14,000 IU of vitamin E, from Cococare.
Botanical cream. If the maze on your midriff is making you really miserable, try an intense, clinically tested formula such as Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy. It combines natural botanicals with a premium skin hydrator to reduce the appearance of stretch marks in just four weeks.