6 Steps To Preventing Stretch Marks
CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAMA MIO
1. Exfoliate Twice A Week
You should start using a scrub as soon as your bump starts to grow. Mama Mio have just launched The Tummy Rub Scrub, £18 – specially formulated to help support the skin against stretch marks, it’s the perfect for your pregnancy skincare routine. Use it as the first step to better prepare your body for steps 2: the Tummy Rub Butter, £23.50 and step 3: the Tummy Rub Oil, £27. To really see results, use it twice a week throughout your pregnancy and after.
How to use:
- Use large circular motions to exfoliate deeply.
- Once the area has been fully exfoliated, rinse off the excess product.
The scrub not only softens, but sloughs off dead skin cells, thanks to a botanical blend of fruit enzymes, pumice and bamboo stem extract, which increase the skins regeneration process.
2. Stay Hydrated
Just like the skin on your face, the skin on your body is affected by your water intake. While we’re all aware we should be getting our eight glasses a day, did you know that when you’re pregnant this goes up to 12? As your body is working so much harder, it’s vital you keep your hydration levels up – it will keep your skin supple and help prevent a whole host of other pregnancy issues at bay, like urinary tract infections, headaches and fatigue.
3. Monitor Your Weight
This may seem obvious, but controlling your weight gain during pregnancy – sticking to your doctor’s advice about what would be healthy for you – can help prevent stretch marks. It’s not advisable to take up strenuous exercise if you weren't active before you got pregnant, but exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial – gentle workouts such as yoga, Pilates and swimming are all recommended, as long as you’re comfortable. Be mindful of what foods you’re consuming too; the myth of ‘eating for two’ has long been debunked. Instead, aim for a healthy, balanced diet – covering a variety of food groups – the majority of the time.
4. Moisturise Daily
This is the key to keeping stretch marks at bay. Look for products packed with plant-based oils, nourishing shea butter and rejuvenating vitamin E, which – if used regularly – will boost your skin’s resilience and aid healing. Spend a few minutes massaging in to reap the full benefits and stimulate blood flow – we love moisturising oils for an easier massage. Mama Mio’s Tummy Rub Oil is a worldwide bestseller; a rich blend of organic oils, including coconut, sweet almond argan and rosehip, to renew and restore the skin. Like all of Mama Mio’s range, it contains no nasties is free from parabens, petrolatum, colorants, xenoestrogens, PEGs and phthalates.
5. Be Consistent
As the average life cycle of a skin cell is around 28 days, you need to give your products a chance to do their job. Steps two and three won’t have the same effect without consistency, so try to incorporate them into a daily routine you’ll stick to. It might be that you remember to exfoliate and moisturise first thing in the morning, or think of it as more of an evening indulgence that helps you wind down before bed.
6. Try A Targeted Treatment
Sometimes you need something stronger to tackle stubborn problem areas. Mama Mio’s Goodbye Stretch Marks Stretch Mark Minimiser is a potent formula packed full of collagen-boosting peptides, brightening fruit enzymes and rehydrating oils. It’s been clinically proven to smooth stretch marks in two weeks, and after four weeks 83% of women agreed they had been a big improvement in the appearance of their stretch marks. Want to know more? Three new mums put it to the test – here’s what they thought...
Mum-To-Be 1
Before the trial:
What made you take part in the trial?
After the birth I was looking for a cream to use to help with the stretch marks and came across the trial (whilst up in the early hours feeding my baby) on Facebook. I had already researched and read about Mama Mio and so thought why not enquire!
How did you feel about your body after pregnancy?
To be honest, I had conflicting feelings – on the one hand I was proud my body had carried, supported and birthed my healthy baby boy but, on the other hand it now looked and felt nothing like my pre-pregnancy body; with bulges, bumps and stretch marks where there weren’t any before, which was difficult to accept.
How do you feel about stretch marks?
Whilst they were a mark that my body had done something amazing I really didn’t like looking at them. They were so red and angry looking and made me feel very self-conscious.
After the trial:
Has Goodbye Stretch Marks helped reduce the appearance of your stretch marks?
100% I was a little sceptical that the cream could deliver on its promises, but it did exactly what it said on the bottle!
How do you feel about your body now?
I feel so much more confident in myself. I am so happy with the results and how much the cream has reduced the visibility of my stretch marks – it’s amazing.
Would you recommend Goodbye Stretch Marks to a friend?
Without any hesitation – in fact, I have already recommended it to lots of my mummy friends who also experienced the dreaded stretch marks and they love it as much as I do.
Mum-To-Be 2
Before the trial:
What kind of skincare (if any) did you use during your pregnancy?
During both of my pregnancies I’d used all sorts of creams such as cocoa butter, moisturisers, spray-on moisturisers... You name it, I’d used it.
What made you take part in the trial?
How low and unattractive I felt about my body. I was willing to try anything to make myself feel a little better.
How did you feel about your body after pregnancy?
I felt like I’d lost part of my identity. I had this wonderful human to show for it but that didn’t help how I felt about my flabby, stretch mark-covered, tired-looking skin. I’d cry looking at myself in the mirror most days.
How do you feel about stretch marks?
I felt really embarrassed, especially whenever my partner would see them. I hated them, I felt like I’d never feel confident in my own skin again.
After the trial:
Has Goodbye Stretch Marks helped reduce the appearance of your stretch marks?
The cream has helped to significantly reduce the look of my stretch marks. They’re not as purple or obvious and it feels (and smells) amazing when applying it.
How do you feel about your body now?
I didn’t realise how much the cream had worked until I viewed the before-and-after photos side by side. The change is astonishing! I honestly can’t believe that a cream can do that! But it can! I’m so much happier now that it’s given me the confidence to lose weight, feel closer to my partner and even buy a bikini for our holidays. I no longer cry when I see my tummy in the mirror.
Would you recommend Goodbye Stretch Marks to a friend?
I would definitely recommend Goodbye Stretch Marks to a friend! In fact, I already have!
Mum-To-Be 3
Before the trial:
What kind of skincare (if any) did you use during your pregnancy?
I tried every lotion and potion I could find – special pregnancy day and night creams, cocoa butter, body oils…
At what stage in pregnancy did you first notice stretch marks starting to appear?
It was at the final hurdle. I managed to make it to 30 weeks with nothing (I had the twins just over three weeks later). Then on Christmas Day I looked in the mirror and saw them and was really upset. I’ve always trained hard and looked after my stomach – I was used to having my abs and was hoping that I would spring back to the same form after I had the boys. When I saw the stretch marks I thought that I would never be able to look good again.
What made you take part in the trial?
I wanted to try something new and see whether or not it would help to make a difference. I wasfeeling very down after investing money in creams which didn’t live up to their expectations.
How did you feel about your body after pregnancy?
Very down. I didn’t recognise it. After working so hard for so many years to maintain it, my confidence was hit hard.
How do you feel about stretch marks?
I’ve had stretch marks on my boobs and thighs since I was in my teens and they never bothered me. But for some reason the stomach feels different. It made me unhappy.
After the trial:
Has Goodbye Stretch Marks helped reduce the appearance of your stretch marks?
Massively. The difference has been phenomenal. I never thought in a million years that the cream would make such a dramatic difference but it has. I feel like I’m on the road to being ‘me’ again. I’m going on holiday in two weeks and have no qualms about wearing a bikini now. I know 100% that this is because of Goodbye Stretch Marks.
How do you feel about your body now?
I feel like my body confidence has been restored. It helped me get myself in gear and get back to training too. I feel happier in my skin.
Would you recommend Goodbye Stretch Marks to a friend?
Absolutely. It’s a miracle in a bottle and has made such a massive difference to me and my skin.
For more pregnancy skincare advice, please shop the Mama Mio range.
Receive a free Superstar in a Jar with any of the 4 products featured in story (Tummy Rub Scrub, Tummy Rub Oil, Tummy Rub Butter and Goodbye Stretch Marks) using code: SHEERLUXE
Expires: 30/09
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.