Best Pregnancy-Safe Stretch Mark Creams

Hidden ingredients: We recommend avoiding products that list phrases like “fragrance” and “natural fragrance” on labels. These terms are a commonly seen shorthand for ingredients that are not required to be disclosed on personal care product labels. But some fragrance ingredients like phthalates are associated with health problems. Without disclosure it’s impossible to know whether the fragrance contains ingredients that are safe for pregnant individuals. 

Ethoxylated ingredients: Many ingredients in personal care products undergo a process called ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide is added in manufacturing to make other ingredients less harsh. In the process, however, the final product can be contaminated with ethylene oxide, an ingredient linked to cancer when inhaled, and 1,-4-dioxane, a manufacturing by-product linked to cancer in animal studies.

Because these chemicals are contaminants, you won’t find them listed on labels. But you can spot potentially ethoxylated ingredients by looking for the following red flag terms: PEG, polysorbate, phenoxyethanol, and the suffixes “-eth” and “oxynol.”

Ingredients that aren’t safe during pregnancy: Topical retinoids are among some of the most effective treatments for stretch marks. Trouble is, retinoids are not safe for use during pregnancy. You’ll find some retinoids listed on labels with words starting with or containing “retin.” Examples include retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, tretinoin, and retinaldehyde. 

Some ingredients you might not expect should be avoided or restricted during pregnancy too. For example, carrot seed essential oil, sage essential oil, and cinnamon bark essential oil are not recommended, according to “Essential Oil Safety,” by Robert Tisserand, an essential oil expert, and Rodney Young, a plant chemistry and pharmacology researcher. And make sure to use products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid and glycolic acid sparingly and infrequently. Check labels for ingredients, and talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Don’t panic: If you’ve used a product with an ingredient that isn’t recommended during pregnancy, don’t panic. Many ingredients with concerns are problematic because of their potential impacts over time. Simply swap your stretch mark cream out for a safer alternative. And remember you can always discuss your concerns with your doctor.