A stretch mark free belly

A small handful of you have emailed me asking what I do to prevent tiger stripes during pregnancy.  At the risk of sounding like a total know-it-all doucher, I am going to share my pregnancy lotion rituals.

I didn't get any stretch marks from my pregnancy with Eva.  My Mom and other family members all have stretch marks so I am definitely not on the "genetically lucky" train.  I gained 33 pounds (about a third of my total body weight) throughout the pregnancy so I am also not on the "Oh you barely even look pregnant!" train. I blow up.

With all of that being said, here is my secret.

I am obsessive about applying Bio Oil and then lathering up with cocoa butter.  Bio Oil is sort of expensive ($20+ for a bottle) but my cheap frugal self happily purchases bottle after bottle of this magical serum.  I re-apply this combo every morning, every night, and every time I take a shower.  If my skin feels tight, I run upstairs and add some more.  I start applying both the oil and the cocoa butter when I find out that I am pregnant and continue throughout the pregnancy until the bitter end.  In the second trimester, I go through about 1 big bottle of Bio Oil and 1 tub of cocoa butter per month.  I would guess that I use about a third more during the last trimester.  During the last trimester, I tried to keep my belly "sticky" with product all day/night and would re-apply multiple times throughout the day.

Since we're at it, here is the rest of my lotion routine.  I use

on my crows feet and forehead lines.  I am not sold.  Maybe I got too used to the magical powers of the needle (Botox) but after months of use, I don't think I really see any improvement.

In a pathetic attempt at not looking like an east coaster in the middle of the winter, I use

Jergens daily tanning lotion on my arms, legs, shoulders and chest in the morning and night.  It is cheap and effective enough but the smell bugs my pregnant nose.  Anyone have a better recommendation?

During the day, I use Oil of Olay moisturizer and

Loreal BB Cream under my foundation.

My skin loses it's mind when I am pregnant so I use

Clearasil every night.  It is benzoyl peroxide with no salicylic acid so it is pregnancy safe.

My night time bedtime routine takes about 20 minutes and my morning lotion routine takes about the same.  When I am not pregnant, I add a Retin A product during my night time ritual to help with skin tone.  I also rub pure vitamin E oil on my lips every night before bed.

Now you guys know what works for me.  If writing this post cursed me into a belly full of stretch marks this time around, I can guarantee my house will be filled with big old crocodile tears and pouting.  I will also blame you, dear readers, for the lines on my belly for jinxing me.

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