Pregnant or not, I love a good body lotion and cream. When you’re pregnant, you’re probably going to try anything to prevent stretch marks. While many people believe using pregnancy-safe lotions and creams prevent pregnancy stretch marks, it’s not necessarily true, but it can help depending on your skin type.

Stretch marks occur when the fibers just underneath the skin’s surface break apart due to the pressure of rapid weight gain. Moisturizer helps maintain skin elasticity, making it less likely to tear when your body starts expanding. That’s according to Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Pregnant women will also need to do other things, like drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and use a humidifier while they sleep, for example. 

Again, there are no creams or oils proven to prevent stretch marks. However, keeping the skin supple may be helpful for reducing the risk in some people. Moisturizers can also help reduce getting itchy skin that happens as the skin stretches.

Some tips on preventing the appearance of stretch marks include ​​making sure you’re getting all your vitamins. Not only is maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is paramount for the growth of your baby, but stretch marks may occur simply because you’re missing certain essential nutrients. Vitamin C, E, D, and Zinc are some of the crucial elements of a balanced pregnancy diet that can help prevent stretch marks.

7 Best Body Lotions and Creams for Pregnancy

With all that said, let’s get to some safe body lotions and creams that will help us keep our skin soft and smooth before, during, and after pregnancy. Some of the hyperlinks are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase any of these best stretch mark creams.

​​1. Hempz Natural Hemp Seed Oil Body Moisturizer

Click here to buy it for $20 on Amazon.

This Natural Hemp Seed Oil helps soothe inflammation and calm atopic dermatitis. Rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, this moisturizer is naturally scented, providing a crisp, clean aroma. Without any harsh chemicals, this scent leaves behind no residue, and won’t irritate your skin. The shea butter and ginseng help reduce any redness and Vitamins A, C, and E will help protect your skin from natural and environmentally triggered oxidants.

2. Lubriderm Daily Moisture Hydrating Unscented Body Lotion

Click here to buy it for $8 on Amazon.

This 24-fluid ounce tube of Lubriderm Unscented Daily Moisture Body Lotion with Vitamin B5 helps replenish and moisturize normal-to-dry skin. It’s clinically proven to moisturize skin for 24 hours. With no artificial fragrances and no greasy residue, you’re left with a pleasant, soft, clean, and smooth feel on the skin. Plus, this dermatologist-developed brand is the #1 recommended brand by tattoo artists for tattoo care and aftercare.

3. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Therapy Body Lotion

Click here to buy it for $5 on Amazon.

This 24-hour cocoa butter daily moisturizing body lotion features a light cocoa scent and provides deep hydration for all skin types, from normal to dry and even eczema-prone skin. This lotion is made with Cocoa Butter to naturally moisturize and Vitamin E helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and skin imperfections, giving a more even and toned appearance. It’s also vegan friendly with no animal ingredients or testing.

4. Gold Bond Healing Skin Therapy Lotion

Click here to buy it for $10 on Amazon.

This 20-ounce pump bottle of Gold Bond Healing Skin Therapy Lotion comes with aloe vera and three nourishing vitamins to moisturize and hydrate. The Gold Bond Healing Lotion penetrates 10 surface layers of skin deep for nourished and healthy-looking skin. It has been tested by dermatologists and is hypoallergenic.

5. Jergens Ultra Healing Dry Skin Lotion

Click here to buy it for $8 on Amazon.

​​Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer absorbs into extra dry skin, including typically rough spots like heels, elbows, and knees. It penetrates five layers of skin and reduces dryness at the source. It is made up of a unique formulation, with a Hydralucence blend of ingredients combined with Vitamins C, E, and B, to leave skin luminous.

6. Curél Daily Healing Hand and Body Lotion

Click here to buy it for $5 on Amazon.

This lotion provides time-released hydration with 24 hours of continuous relief. It helps to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier with daily use. The safe ingredients are non-irritating, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing. With Advanced Ceramide Complex, the lotion restores skin’s ceramide levels to help retain moisture and prevent symptoms of dry, damaged skin from returning.

7. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Click here to buy it for $9 on Amazon.

This 18-fluid ounce pump bottle of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion will moisturize dry skin for a full 24 hours. The nourishing lotion contains a unique soothing oatmeal formula that absorbs quickly, leaving your skin soft, beautiful, and healthy-looking. It’s a clinically proven and award-winning fragrance-free daily lotion for dry skin that locks in moisture and improves sensitive skin health in just one day.

My Favorite Body Scrub and Body Cream

I can’t make a list like this and not share my favorite body scrub and body cream. This is my go-to in a bath and what I buy for friends and colleagues when it’s gift time. 

The brand is Tree Hut and I’m a sucker for all of their fun scents, but for me, the scrub used as body wash and body cream must match. To get very specific, I don’t buy the cream. I buy the whipped body butter. It’s thicker… like butter. Oh, so good.

Tree Hut Lavender Shea Sugar Scrub and Body Butter

Click here to buy the sugar scrub for $22 on Amazon.

Click here to buy the body butter for $22 on Amazon.

So… what are the best lotions on your list? Did I miss some of the best products that give you peace of mind? Maybe it’s something with organic ingredients or it has coconut oil, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, mineral oil, olive oil, benzoyl peroxide, avocado oil, azelaic acid, lemon oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, glycolic acid, or essential oils. (There are A LOT!) Let me know on Instagram at @ChristinaAllDay and I’ll try it out.

The good news is that using the best body lotions and creams is a preventative measure that you can carry on after your first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester. 

Want to know what other beauty products and skincare products I love? Click here!