Medically reviewed by A lot of people including both men and women are affected by stretch marks. This unappealing skin problem is directly a result of fast and considerable weight gain or change in the body.
For instance, most women develop stretch marks during pregnancy. It also often affects pubescent girls specifically on their newly growing breasts.
During puberty wherein rapid growth occurs, this usually starts to appear in certain areas of the body. The good news is that there are ways to reduce stretch marks or get rid of the problem.
It can also be prevented using the right skincare products. The problem is choosing a stretch mark product among the hundreds of brands on the market.
Let’s take a closer look at a popular product for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy and determine if is worth buying.
Overview
The product to be reviewed is from a company called Burt’s Bees which is well-known for offering natural products. They offer a range of skincare products from lip balm to washes for babies.
The stretch mark prevention product is called Mama Bee Belly Butter which is an extra rich belly butter specially formulated to nourish and moisturize the skin during pregnancy.
It basically prevents the development of stretch marks during pregnancy by making the skin in the belly more elastic and nourishing it.
The formula is fragrance-free to prevent skin irritation, especially on sensitive skin types.
It uses a combination of natural butter to make the skin soft and smooth before and after pregnancy.
Active Ingredients
One of the primary active ingredients of Mama Bee Belly Butter is Shea butter which is one of the most popular natural remedies for the prevention and reduction of stretch marks.
It is natural fat extracted from the fruit of the Karite tree. It has been shown to offer powerful nourishing and moisturizing properties that help improve the elasticity of the skin.
Some studies have shown that it can even help prevent wrinkles and other signs of skin aging from developing.
Another primary active ingredient is cocoa butter which is also a very well-known natural treatment for stretch marks.
It is commonly used for preventing stretch marks during pregnancy but some people claim it also works in reducing stretch marks that are already formed.
However, there are some studies that have shown using coco butter isn’t really effective when used alone.
The formulation of the extra rich belly butter also includes vitamin E to optimize the effects of the other active ingredients.
There are several studies that have shown the effectiveness of vitamin E when applied topically for the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy.
However, there is insufficient evidence that vitamin E reduces the appearance of already formed stretch marks.
Jojoba oil is another active ingredient of the anti-stretchmark product that helps fight stretch marks. There is some clinical evidence that this natural oil works in preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.
The Claim
The primary claim of Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter is that it prevents stretch marks from developing during pregnancy.
It works in preventing stretch marks by keeping the skin smooth and supple before and after pregnancy.
It also increases skin elasticity to help it cope with the considerable stretching of the skin, especially in the belly and breast areas.
How Does It Work for Stretch Marks?
Take note that the rich belly butter is only for preventing the development of stretch marks so you need to use it before gaining weight or before your belly gets bigger during pregnancy.
It works by improving the elasticity of the skin and nourishing it to make it stronger. The formula makes the skin supple and flexible helping it to cope with the physical stress caused by the significant stretching of the skin.
Physical stress on the skin is the primary cause of the appearance of stretch marks so making the skin more resistant to physical stress helps prevent the development of stretch marks.
Are There Any Side Effects?
The only known side effect from using Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter is skin irritation.
This usually occurs when the user has highly sensitive skin. It can also occur as a result in hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation.
If you have highly sensitive skin, consult your skincare professional before using this product.
Who Can Use Mama Bee Belly Butter?
Anyone can use the anti-stretchmark formula if they want to prevent the development of stretch marks whether during pregnancy or puberty.
Just make sure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients to prevent skin irritation or other hypersensitive reactions.
Perform skin testing on a small area then observe for about 30 minutes before applying on affected areas to make sure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients in the formulation.
Directions for Use
Apply Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter on the belly and breasts along with with other stretch mark prone areas to keep the skin supple and prevent the development of stretch marks.
Apply twice daily preferably in the morning and evening for optimal results. Make sure to wipe off your breasts before nursing.
Pros
- The formulation is all-natural
- It is fragrance-free and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals
- It is from a known natural skin care company
- It contains clinically proven ingredients for preventing stretch marks
- The rich belly butter is affordable ($13 per container)
- There are some positive reviews from customers saying it works
Cons
- The formula is not clinically proven to be effective
- There are many reviews from people who have tried it saying it isn’t very effective
- It is only for preventing stretch marks and isn’t designed for reducing stretch marks that are already visible
- Some people may be hypersensitive to any of the ingredients in the formulation of the anti-stretch mark formula
Alternatives to Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
Final Verdict
After thoroughly inspecting Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter, it is a good product but only for preventing stretch marks.
It is not effective for reducing stretch marks that are already formed or those that are visible.
The main problem with the formula is that it has not undergone clinical testing for effectiveness so there is no evidence that it really works.
The formulation is typical but it is still worth purchasing since it is offered at an affordable price. However, there are better anti-stretch mark formulas on the market.
The unfortunate truth is that more than 90% of the stretch mark creams being sold today are ineffective. Some are even unsafe and can cause side effects like skin irritation. Choosing a stretch mark cream is a very difficult process that takes a lot of time for thorough research. To make it a lot easier for you, we have carefully examined the top stretch mark creams on the market and ranked them based on effectiveness, safety and affordability. Here are the best products for your consideration.
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