No evidence for topical preparations in preventing stretch marks in pregnancy.

BOTTOM LINE There was no statistically significant average difference in the development of stretch marks in women who received topical preparations with active ingredients compared to women who received a placebo or no treatment. Only three trials (involving 461 women) looked at the severity of the stretch marks and these did not show a clear difference. The preparations used included Alphastria®, Trofolastin®, Verum, olive oil and cocoa butter, which all contain vitamin E; Alphastria and Verum also contain hyaluronic acid.