Marked improvement

Keeping your skin hydrated and supple can help to prevent or reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Here are some home care products that do the job

Strivectin SD Advanced Intensive Concentrate for Wrinkles & Stretch Marks

This dual-purpose treatment uses NIA-114 technology — invented by skin cancer scientists over 35 years of research — to strengthen and rebuild the skin barrier and energise skin cells. It was originally made to counter stretch marks but has also become known for fighting wrinkles.

Clarins Stretch Mark Control

Made with ingredients such as crowberry, centella asiatica and natural triglycerides, this works three ways. It supposedly slows down the breakdown of collagen and elastin, reduces the size and colour of new stretch marks, and hydrates skin.

Biotherm Biovergetures

A cream-gel, this has moisturising agents and botanical oils to make skin more resilient and elastic in the case of it over-stretching during pregnancy.

La Mer The Concentrate

Model-host Chrissy Teigen was reported to have used this to prevent stretch marks during her recent pregnancy. The reason: This face treatment is believed to strengthen skin and speed up its natural healing process.