We've been toying with soap-making, and both of those are wonderful for the skin. I can't guarantee stretch-mark reducing results, but if it's going to happen, exfoliation + coconut oil + vitamin E is going to be one of the better bets. I would be genuinely shocked if one of the specially marketed (and, of course, especially priced) products could do more for you. They'll make your skin glow, too, but at four times the cost.

Also, if it matters, you can get both Vitamin E and coconut oil without additives...while I don't get too bothered about such things, it is kinda nice to know that if something DOES work, I don't have to try to figure out which eight-syllable chemical did the trick *grins*

...as a side bonus, coconut oil comes as a solid in a jar, but turns to liquid at a low temperature...it is great to use as a massage oil. A little goes a long way, doesn't leave any gross residues or smells (after you get used to the natural smell of coconut oil)...good stuff.

i have found 70,000 i.u. of pure vitamin e oil at a grocery store here in tx (albertson's). it is sticky as heck, but i mix in a little bit of the 4,000 i.u. vitamin e oil i got from the family dollar so i can spread it better. i have stretch marks on my upper arms and all over my belly. i have had these stretch marks for 7 years now (some are red, most are silvery white). and i have seen more results with that 70,000 i.u. vitamin e oil than stretch mark creams (i used palmer's massaging cream twice a day when i started getting them and they still spread). my stretch marks are shrinking little by little. i will continue to use this as i lose weight and possibly for the rest of my life. i am also dry brushing before i shower every night. i apply the vitamin e oil when i get out of the shower and when i wake up.

i have also read something about a zinc deficiency being the cause of stretch marks. not sure, but i am taking a zinc supplement anyway to help with my vitiligo (zinc helps with cell reproduction and tissue repair) along with copper, since zinc depletes copper levels.

but what works for me may not work for you! so you may have to try different methods over a period of time to see which one works the best for you. that's what i did. dry brushing alone, to me, didn't really help. but combined with pure vitamin e oil, it can work. just beware, 70,000 i.u vitamin e oil is sticky! make sure it is spread right, just to avoid stains on clothes (if you are concerned with that).

hope everything works out for the better for you!

Years ago, when the dinosaurs still stomped the earth, I weighed 135 pounds when I got pregnant. 9 months later, I delivered twin boys that weighed over 6 pounds each, with a gain of 60 pounds. Yup, I had stretch marks. I tried all the lotions, oils and potions on the market to no avail.

The good news, they do fade with time. Probably the best thing I accidently did, that I did NOT do on purpose, was a bad sunburn. After the peeling, and healing they actually looked better. I would not recommend this method. However, I did discover that a good self tanning lotion does help cover them up. I've never tried a spray on tan, but it might be worth a shot.

I use to hate the stretch marks on my hips but... I actually like them a lot now. I actually think they are attractive on women, I love to see silvery lines on big, wide, feminine hips. Maybe it's not perfect skin, but after all this time I realized it's probably the silliest thing to get upset over. There are people who have been in severe accidents or people with horrible burns who live in pain EVERYDAY because they've lost skin and scarred or not, they wish they had something to protect their bodies from infection.

However, I have DEEP ones on the side of my boobs and the inside of my thighs and I haven't learned to like them yet. Hoping to try laser treatments after my weight loss to see if they look any better.

I have always had them but I have noticed that as I am losing they are getting smaller or something. To be honest I dont really mind them its not like I plan on being naked infront of the world or even planning to wear a two peice I mainly want to look good in my clothing. I think I have bigger fish to fry lol