Stretch Mark Cream
Many women and even some men find themselves battling stretch marks. While they’re often associated with pregnancy, they can happen to just about anyone and be found on just about any part of the body. This is why there are many products on the market today that promise to address this issue, but what should you look for in a stretch mark cream? How is one different from the other and what sets them apart?Vitamins
One important ingredient in a successful stretch mark cream would be vitamins. This is because the skin needs vitamins in order to heal itself, and stretch marks are actually a type of scar. Adding vitamins directly to the skin’s surface gives it an added boost in order to heal.Look for a stretch mark cream that has a high concentration of vitamins, especially vitamins A, C, and E. Retinol is a fancy word for vitamin A and a common ingredient in skin creams, so look for this as well. Many creams that are meant for stretch marks will also advertise that they are high in vitamin C concentrate and some have pure vitamin E oil in them as well. If you don’t see these listed in the ingredients or directly advertised on the label, you may want to continue looking for another cream.
Oils and Butters
Because stretch marks happen partially because of dry skin, it’s good to find a stretch mark cream that has a number of oils in it. You may notice ingredients such as cucumber oil, avocado oil, and elements such as aloe vera. These are all oils that are natural and good for the skin.Cocoa butter is also very good for the skin as is shea butter. These are made from natural oils and are meant to stay on the skin’s surface to hydrate it for a prolonged period of time. Finding oils and butters in a stretch mark cream is essential as they are meant work even when the weather is dry or the marks are very deep, two problems with correcting these scars.
Using Your Cream
No matter the ingredients in your stretch mark cream it won’t work if you don’t use it. Many who purchase these creams and lotions have the best of intentions with using them but then let them go after a week or so.Make it as easy on yourself as possible when using such a cream. Keep it next to the bed if necessary, or reach for it right out of the shower so you know you’ll use it every day. Try to apply it and give it time to be absorbed before you put clothes over it. Your skin should also be dry before applying the stretch mark cream so you know it will get absorbed and will not evaporate with the water on the skin. If you find a good cream for yourself and are faithful about using it, then you’re sure to see a reduction in these unsightly marks.
