Beauty Review: Avoiding Stretch Marks

As soon as I found out I was pregnant on that cold winter day back in December I decided to slather myself in oils and creams in the hope of preventing stretch marks. From that day forward I applied different potions religiously twice a day. My diligence seems to have paid off, there's not a stretch mark in sight despite my boobs doubling in size within the first 2 weeks and my belly, butt and thighs growing steadily for the duration of my pregnancy. Admittedly giving birth to my little lady prematurely meant the skin didn't have to accommodate a massive bump, but I'd like to give some credit to the products I used as well. 

Bio Oil 60ml £5.99 BUY HERE

 When I knew I had a bun in the oven I immediately added Bio Oil to my shopping list, well if it's good enough for Kim Kardashian! Plus it's won 242 skincare awards and all my pregnant girlfriends recommended it. It contains calendula, lavender and rosemary along with vitamin A and E to moisturise and rejuvenate the skin. It's a light oil that glides on easily meaning I didn't have to use much to cover my expanding figure. It didn't sink into the skin easily though so I'd use it at night for fear of damaging my daytime outfits. Unfortunately the smell is quite synthetic and in the early days of pregnancy I just couldn't stomach it.

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter £13.95 BUY HERE

This was the only cream I used on the bump during pregnancy. It's a rich and thick formula that needs a bit of effort to rub in, but it's non-greasy and my skin absorbed it easily so I used this in the morning before getting dressed. It contains hydrating shea butter, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil to keep the skin supple and toned. It has the delicious and subtle scent of honey, has no artificial fragrances and contains 99% natural ingredients. Post pregnancy this has become important to me as when I'm breast feeding or doing skin to skin with my little lady I don't want anything riddled with chemicals to come into contact with her skin. Therefore I've happily been applying this cream to my arms, chest and belly post pregnancy safe in the knowledge that she won't react to it.

Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil £40 BUY HERE

This product is Clarins' best selling body oil and it's easy to see why. Slathering it on was like having a spa treatment at home as it's a deliciously rich oil with a fabulous botanical scent that I found instantly relaxing. It contains 100% pure plant extracts of rosemary, geranium and mint paired with moisturising hazelnut oil. Clarins claim the oil tones and improves skin suppleness while preventing stretch marks. It can also be used post pregnancy to tone and firm the skin. As it is rather pricey I've been mixing the oil with another body lotion since giving birth. The only con with this fantastic oil is the packaging. I wish it had a pump dispenser or a smaller pouring hole. I always end up pouring out too much or dribbling some down the side of the glass bottle and it's too expensive to waste like that! 

Dr Hauschka Blackthorn Body Oil £20.50 BUY HERE

This oil isn't specifically made for stretch marks, however the blend of blackthorn blossom and birch leaves extract coupled with jojoba oil and sunflower oil keeps the skin incredibly supple and hydrated. The formula is luxuriously thick but it absorbs easily leaving behind a fresh woody, herby scent that lingers on the skin. However the smell isn't offensive and didn't increase my nausea, I actually found it quite refreshing. It's free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and preservatives and is vegan. This oil is a little pricey but is incredibly luscious and when pregnant was a much appreciated indulgence to apply to my skin after wallowing in the bath after a long day.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil £6.66 BUY HERE

I started using this oil towards the end of my pregnancy when the anti-sickness drugs I was taking kicked in, so the pungent chocolate smell didn't make me want to put my head down the toilet. But if smelling like a bar of Dairy Milk is appealing (and it is to me post pregnancy) then you'll love this. This multi-tasking oil tackles scars, dry skin and ageing along with stretch marks. It contains rosehip and sesame oil to rejuvenate and moisturise along with vitamin E and cocoa butter to help maintain skin elasticity. The pump dispenser made application non-messy and the oil absorbed easily without leaving my skin feeling too greasy. I used it after a shower when my skin was a little damp to lock in more moisture. Post pregnancy I'm using it on my legs when I'm wearing a skirt or shorts as it adds a lovely sheen to my skin. A great bargain buy, but smell it before you buy.

The Beauty Review

The seasons have changed, so I've been trying out some richer beauty products along with a couple to help deal with my skin which has gone a little bonkers recently.

Hand Salve £9.99 Burt's Bees BUY HERE

I suffer with very dry hands so I keep a tub of this on my bedside table and rub it in every evening. Et voila! In the morning they are smooth and soft again. The formualtion is a  rich, thick balm so you really don't need much. It smells heavenly due to the rosemary and lavender oils and contains a blend of beeswax, olive, sunflower and sweet almond oils to deeply moisture parched skin. When my feet are tired and rough I treat them to a splodge of this, put on a pair of old socks and by the morning they are soft again.

Secret Concealor £19.50 Laura Mercier BUY HERE

Work has been crazy busy recently, as such my diet and sleeping patterns have suffered resulting in dull skin, under-eye greyness and my favourite, lots of little spots. I've been attempting to drink more water and eat more cleanly, while externally I've been applying Laura Mercier's Secret Concealor. It's a waxy and creamy formula, making it easy to blend into the skin. It contains vitamin E to help the skin retain moisture and vitamin A to improve the skin's elasticity, making it a multi-tasker for around the eyes. I use my ring finger to pat some around my eyes to mask the tiredness. I then seal it with a little brush of powder. Some people may be concerned that using something so moisturising to cover up blemishes would be counterproductive, however I haven't found this to be the case. I usually blitz my spots with tea tree oil, letting it absorb into the skin for a few minutes, before tapping some of the concealor on and around the spot. And hey presto! I look like I've been getting 8 hours sleep a night and drinking gallons of water!

Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam, from £30.50 Shiseido BUY HERE

Japanese skincare company Shiseido have been in business for over 140 years, producing great products that fuse technology and natural elements for incredible results. I love cleansing my face with coconut oil, but when I found this cleanser at the back of my bathroom cupboard recently I thought I'd give it a try. It's a very dense cream so you really only need a fingernails worth to wash your entire face and neck. I like to splash my face with water before lathering it up in my wet hands then massaging into my face for a good minute or so. It completely gets rid of all my makeup, mascara and London grime that I've accumulated during the day. Make sure you remove it thoroughly with water before opening your eyes because it stings like crazy. Afterwards my skin feels squeeky clean but not tight or stripped, and it smells soapy and fresh.