Have ungainly stretch marks? Of course, that’s a matter of perception as far more women in particular have them, but these raw, unphotoshopped pictures hardly make it into catalogues. There is of course the very brave Chrissy Teigen, who has inspired us all by revealing her post-pregnancy stretch marks. Even so, if you dislike them, it’s your prerogative to see if you can reduce the appearance or get rid of them altogether. When the skin expands and then shrinks, it causes a loss of collagen which then shows up as these red, raised stripes. After the red phase, the settle into a different kind of discolouration. It is natural to yearn for smooth, supple skin.
There are a myriad stretch mark creams on the market. The one we are reviewing today is called GoodBye Stretch Marks. Wouldn’t it be great to say goodbye to them indeed – let’s see what this product has to offer. For starters, Mamma Mio says it’s cream reduces the appearance of stretch marks and also provides key nutrients the body needs to maintain skin elasticity.
Ingredients
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
- Glycerin
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
- Aqua (Water)
- Methylsilanol Mannuronate
- Persea Gratissima Oil
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
- Squalane
- Butylene Glycol
- Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Sodium Lactate
- Sodium Palmitoyl Proline
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Parfum
- Limonene
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Nymphaea Alba (Water Lily) Flower Extract
- Glyceryl Caprylate
- Ascorbyl Palmitate
- Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
- Carbomer
- Linalool
- Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide- 7
- Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
- Ascorbic Acid
- Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
- Citral, Citronellol
- Evernia Furfuracea Extract
- Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
- Rutin
- Phaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract
- Polysorbate 20.
This cream draws on five strong ingredients and peptides, fruit and algae extracts and a blend of nourishing oils to nourish the skin, repair it and smooth away the appearance of stretch stripes. Aloe is known as an antioxidant, that deeply repairs and most importantly, soothes inflammation. It would fight any redness. Together the synthesis of ingredients flattens the raised marks and work to restore elasticity and firmness.
Dosage
Unlike other manufacturers, Mama Mio gives a timeline for when you can see improvement and puts this at 12 weeks. Apply a thin layer over each stretch mark thrice daily. The cream is safe enough to use while breastfeeding but don’t apply it to your nipple area.
Price
The tube of cream retails for $60 on the Mama Mio website.
Guarantee
There is a returns policy but it is convoluted, as you have to read this in conjunction with the terms and conditions of sale. It appears that you only have 7 days to ask for a return and the process for doing so is rather long-winded and technical. Instead of a clearly worded policy, the manufacturer has opted to couch theirs in lengthy legalese.
Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks Review – Conclusion
The obvious advantage of this cream is that you can use it while breastfeeding – you do not want to wait many months after pregnancy before tackling stretch marks because by then the marks start discoloring, at which point it is harder to treat. It also sinks in to the skin nicely, without leaving a sticky residue.
The product is very expensive and unfortunately, those who have tried it give it below average reviews. To their credit though, Mama Mio is transparent, and have not removed bad reviews from their own website where as many manufacturers often erase bad reviews, leaving only good ones. It is likely that you will be better off with a vitamin E-, aloe- and silicone-rich product. These are known to work, with silicone being used by plastic surgeons to help patients recover from scars.