Stretch marks and their long, narrow lines appear differently on a multitude of bodies. Depending on your skin color, stretch marks can range from red to purple to dark brown, and commonly crop up on the abdomen, hips, thighs, and/or breasts. They are especially common around puberty and during pregnancy as the skin expands and shrinks: In fact, a 2015 study in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology found that more than half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks during pregnancy.

Though millions of people develop stretch marks at some point in their lives, many strive to get rid of them as quickly as they show up — and often turn to over-the-counter remedies to do so. The following list of the best products to prevent stretch marks and help them fade after they’ve formed, can help you disguise or diminish stretch marks in due time.

Best Overall Stretch Mark Cream

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil

Pros

• Minimizes the appearance of scars
• Hydrating
• Evens skin tone

Key Ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin E and purcellin, chamomile, sunflower and lavender oils

 

Best Value Stretch Mark Cream

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion

Pros

• Hydrating
• Budget-friendly

Key Ingredients: cocoa butter, shea butter, argan oil, vitamin E

 

Best Stretch Mark Treatment

Paula’s Choice RESIST Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment

Pros

• Retinol helps skin texture
• Evens skin tone

Key Ingredients: retinol, vitamins C & E (antioxidants)

 

Best Cream for Old Stretch Marks

Clarins Body Partner Stretch Mark Cream

Pros

• Helps minimize the appearance of marks

Key Ingredients: clycyrrhetinic acid (from licorice), hazelnut oil, centella asiatica and green banana extract

Best Stretch Mark Cream for Pregnancy

Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter

Pros

• Smooths and softens skin
• Fragrance-free and non-irritating

Key Ingredients: shea, cocoa and jojoba butters, vitamin E

 

 

Best SPF for Stretch Mark Prevention

Hawaiian Tropic AntiOxidant+ Sunscreen Lotion

Pros

• Protects skin from sun damage that can exacerbate stretch marks
• Non-greasy
• SPF 50

Key Ingredients: green tea extract

 

Best Postpartum Stretch Mark Cream

Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy Prevention & Treatment

Pros

• Helps even skin tone
• Can be used during breastfeeding

Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, centenella asiatica (cica)

 

Best Cream for Stretch Mark Prevention

Curél Ultra Healing Body Lotion

Pros

• Intensely hydrating
• Long lasting effects
• Not greasy

Key Ingredients: ceramides, glycerin, oat, shea butter

 

 

Best Belly Stretch Mark Cream

Mustela Stretch Marks Prevention Cream

Pros

• Helps skin elasticity
• Targets stretch marks before they happen

Key Ingredients: avocado, shea butter, sunflower seed oil