Stretch mark "Busters"

I'll be the first to tell you that I fully believe stretch marks are hereditary.

But I also firmly believe that it's important to keep your Baby Bump healthy and moisturized (and as un-itchy as possible!).  And even believing that stretch marks may or may not be inevitable in your future doesn't mean you should give up hope. Hell, why not give it a shot? You've only got one chance! Give that bump a good rub down!

I was blessed with the news that my mother did not get stretch marks during her 3 pregnancies (one of which she gained 60 pounds!). Now at just under 37 weeks I can say that I do not have any belly stretch marks to speak of, but that doesn't mean they aren't coming or that I may not get them in subsequent pregnancies.  But there are potentially 3 more long weeks for my skin to do plenty of stretching. To that end, lather away I go.

Though, sharing the creams/oils I'm using is not to prove or disprove their effectiveness, but to share my experience with them.

BIO OIL
I've read so many dramatic positive and negative reviews for Bio Oil. And here's my take, and it's pretty obvious. You'll only ever believe it worked if you didn't get any stretch marks throughout your pregnancy (obviously). You get stretch marks, you blame it on the oil not doing its job.  You don't get them, you can either attribute that to the oil OR to heredity. What's most convenient for you? It's self-fulfilling.

One comment I've read consistently was how little you get for how much it costs, several people saying one bottle only lasted them a month.  They must have been running around like greasy pigs all day long. I apply a "generous" portion (enough to rub in) to my belly and midsection twice a day (after I shower), and it took me roughly 4 months to get through a bottle. And that was even after this used bottle was "gifted" to me from my Momma that wasn't using it. 

I have been using quite a bit more as I've gotten bigger... I don't know if it's because I've gotten more liberal with my application or my surface area has grown that much!!!

To the cost, I found it most cost-effective at Sam's... You get this double pack for $21.68.

Here's the back so you can see what they say for themselves:

I like the smell of it, it's very gentle and soothing. And while it is OIL, it really isn't all that greasy feeling. Wash your hands with soap and water and you're good. After I apply it, I usually have a naked dance party long enough to let it soak in before getting dressed. It doesn't seem to cause drag or anything on my clothes.

And I love, love, love the sheen it gives my belly.  It makes my belly look like a professionally edited photo all day long.

Here's a link to the Bio Oil site.


PALMER'S BELLY BUTTER
This was what I originally began using. 

And I actually started slathering this stuff on months before we even started trying to conceive.  I love its texture: it's thick, creamy, and dense.  The scent is even better, the delicate scent of cocoa butter.  Makes me want to eat it. The stuff is pretty thick to rub in so it takes a while. I seemed to work through this stuff pretty fast too when I was using it everywhere (everywhere meaning belly, butt, hips, thighs, and breasts). Either way, I enjoy using it, though I use it more now for my thighs and heiny and let Bio Oil take on the major areas.

Here it is at Target, though I cannot recall the price... somewhere in the $8-10 range I want to say.

I use all sorts of regular lotions for the rest of my body, usually whatever Philosophy or Bath & Body Works scent I'm in the mood for.  Though my go-to is the cheap stuff, Suave's Smoothing Cocoa Butter and Shea lotion.

If you had something that you particularly enjoyed using during pregnancy or after, I'd love to hear about it!!