Stretch Mark Cream Ingredients

. We have rounded up the ingredients found in the best stretch mark creams. Read on to find which are safe and effective aids to reducing stretch marks and which are a waste of money.

As stretch marks and scars are caused by irregularities in the collagen matrix, any of these ingredients which help to repair or replenish collagen, will help minimize stretch marks.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera gel consists primarily of water and polysaccharides (pectins , hemicelluloses, glucomannan, acemannan, and mannose derivatives). Aloe Vera is highly praised for its healing properties and can be used both internally and. Traditionally aloe Vera has been used for its anti-oxidant, gastrointestinal, and nourishing properties. Aloe Vera is especially effective for healing wounds. As such, it is widely used to relieve sunburn and is one of the best natural moisturizers around.

Cocoa Butter

A naturally-occurring component of cocoa beans, cocoa butter is an emollient that has been utilized for hundred of years to heal and moisturize skin that has been exposed to the elements. It contains natural antioxidants that prevent decay and is an essential ingredient in chocolate. Because of its healing and softening properties, cocoa butter is often added to soaps, lotions, creams, and balms.

DMAE

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is an antioxidant cell stabilizer believed to reduce wrinkles and inflammation, enhance brain power, and increase skin tone. However, a number of health concerns have arisen surrounding DMAE and products that use it as their main ingredient. DMAE has been found to have properties similar to amphetamines. As a result, side effects may include headaches, muscle tension, and insomnia.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is a widely known fruit acid that is derived from sugar cane. It is sold for industrial use in concentrations of 70-percent or greater. However, at these levels it is extremely dangerous when exposed to the skin. As a result, the government regards any concentration of glycolic acid above 10-percent to be hazardous. However, any concentration below 10-percent has little to no effect. Consequently, there is much debate over the safety and effectiveness of glycolic acid.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract is neither grapefruit juice nor an essential oil. It's actually a synthetic product that's often touted as natural. Chemical manufacturers take the leftover grapefruit pulp and, in an industrial chemical process, alter the compounds. Chemical reagents and catalysts, such as synthetic ammonium chloride, are generally used in this process under extreme high heat and pressure or vacuum. In recent time, grapefruit seed extract has become a highly controversial chemical compound. A number of studies conducted worldwide have reported abnormal and suspicious and abnormal chemical activity in several, randomly selected grapefruit seed extracts.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide

Want to achieve a more youthful appearance and smoother-looking skin?

Then this potent peptide is just for you. Palmitoyl oligopeptide effectively penetrates the skin to stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the dermis and increases the skin's smoothness and elasticity, helping to reduce stretch marks.

Plus, oligopeptides have been show to be highly beneficial for preventive purposes by destroying the free radicals responsible for premature aging, collagen breakdown, and skin damage.

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3

Need to turn back the clock on and give your skin a younger, more firm look?

If so, then Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 is just what you need. Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 is a piece of a collagen molecule that is merged with palmic acid. When combined with the culture of fibroplasts, this ingredient stimulates glucosamnoglycans, elastin, and collagen. When palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 penetrates the skin, then end result is increased collagen production, reduced stretch marks, and firmer, younger-looking skin.

One study concluded that palmitoyl pentapeptide worked just as well as retinol on sun-damaged skin but without the irritation and photosensitivity consistent with retinol use. In another study, wrinkles were reduced by as much as 68-percent with the use of palmitoyl pentapeptide.

Retinyl Palmitate

Renew your cells and achieve a fresher, younger-looking appearance with retinyl palmitate.

As a retinoid, retinyl palmitate is easily metabolized by the skin cells and converted in retinoic acid. This acid directly affects the skin and encourages the division and renewal of cells by increasing the skin's metabolic rate. Because topical retinoic acid causes severe irritation and photosensitivity, retinyl palmitate is far superior to this substance.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is a solid fatty oil made from the nuts of the Karite Nut trees indigenous to the semi-arid savannah regions of West and Central Africa. The oil form these nuts is typically extracted and mechanically refined. The benefits of Shea butter are primarily a result of its high content of non- saponifiable fatty acids (stearic and oleic acid). As such, it works well with the body because its it's an extremely therapeutic emollient that helps to heal cracked, aged and damaged skin.

Siegesbeckia Orientalis

Let this time-tested herbal extract stimulate healing and soothe inflammation.

Stretch marks and scars are caused by irregularities in the collagen matrix. Siegesbeckia orientalis has been used for centuries as a means to effectively regenerate damaged tissues by restoring collagen and restoring the collagen matrix. The overall effect of siegesbeckia orientalis causes skin blemishes and other imperfections to be eliminated.