03 Jan 10 Why I Like Revitol Stretch Mark Cream

One of the main reasons I like Revitol Stretch Mark Cream is that the formula is 100% all natural.  Also, the ingredients are proven to work in scientific studies.

Here are the exact ingredients:

10% Squalene Oil
(Olea europeae isolates) Squalene oil is naturally derived from olive oil isolates. It has very strong regenerative properties when used on skin as it is very similar to human natural skin oils . So when applied it acts much like a natural protector and stimulates regeneration of the skin surface. These properties make this ingredient essential to help reduce the appearance of scars: especially stretch marks. It is also a potent antioxidant and protects your skin from environmental damage while keeping it soft and healthy.  According to MSNBC

Squalene, another phytochemical in olive oil, may inhibit cell changes and the activity of enzymes that can result in cancer.

Beware – some squalene oil is made from shark cartlidge, but the squalene oil in Revitol Stretch Mark Cream is made from pure olive oil

Vitamin E
The squalene oil in Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention cream is enriched with vitamin E,  a powerful antioxidant and essential ingredient for skin regeneration.  The effect of vitamin E on stretch marks is caused by its regenerative effect on skin. Vitamin E penetrates deeply into the skin to stimulate the growth of new cells, helping to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. As such, the stretch marks become thinner, shorter and fade over treatments. As vitamin E stimulates the production of new skin cells, it increases skin elasticity and firmness and helps in the regeneration process helping to reduce the likelihood of stretch marks appearing.

Vitamin A Palmitate
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin and is best known for having positive effects on vision. However Vitamin A is just as much important to the largest organ; the skin. Vitamin A may help improve the appearance of striae (stretch marks) and regulate epidermal (skin) cell growth.

According to Fox News:

Using vitamin A at the inception of pregnancy… is essential to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized. This will help reduce inflammation and stave off the negative effects of the hormones in the skin. This cream… also helps remodel the collagen and elastin in the skin and improve its appearance.

Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is necessary for new skin cell production and complements the function of vitamins A and E in the regeneration process of the epidermis. Normally vitamin D3 is produced in the upper skin layers upon exposure to sunlight. However, with our modern live styles it is difficult to produce the amount of vitamin D needed. When applied topically in high concentrations vitamin D3 also shows beneficial effects on cellular processes. This helps to increase the cellular activity around stretch marks and to rejuvenate skin.

DL-Panthenol
DL-Panthenol is the scientific name for pro-vitamin B5. It helps promote skin health as it works to improve the structure of both the lower and upper skin layers. DL-Panthenol soothes skin while stimulating cell growth and differentiation. This ingredient aids in the regeneration of the skin, therefore aiding in reducing the appearance of existing stretch marks. It also acts to prevent stretch marks by promoting collagen and elastin production.

Aloe Vera Extract
Aloe vera has been shown in clinical studies to have a positive effect on the skin. Aloe vera has been used for thousands of years by the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Indians and Chinese to decrease the appearance of scars and to moisturize and heal skin. This extract from the aloe leaf protects skin from environmental factors and promotes skin regeneration.

Hubby did extensive research on this ingredient:

Aloe Vera is probably the most widely used ingredient in skin care products.  However, there do not appear to be any scientific studies that prove the ingredient works or does not work.

My take is that aloe vera feels great and can’t hurt, so why not use it.

Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract also helps promote skin health. Grapefruit seed extract helps to promote collagen and elastin production, which strengthens and retextures the skin. As collagen and elastin are responsible for the skin’s elasticity, improving and stimulating production of the connective tissue cells. The condition of the skin’s connective tissue also dictates how well the skin contracts after pregnancy. So not only does this compound improve the condition of your stretching skin, after the delivery it will also aid in the contraction of your skin to its previous appearance.

According to the California Chronicle:

For preventing and smoothing out stretch marks you can benefit from Grapefruit Seed Extract. It works to get rid of stretch marks by restoring the damaged collagen and elastin in the skin. By using Grapefruit Seed Extract you will see your stretch marks becoming restructured into fresh skin.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is especially beneficial to rub on your body during and right after pregnancy. This will help to prevent stretch marks and return your skin back to its before-pregnancy shape and size quickly after the birth.

28 Dec 09 My Revitol Stretch Mark Cream Experience

When I became pregnant with my first child (my son Ethan) I was worried about getting ugly stretch marks.  This happened to my sister – no more bikinis for her!  Just in case you don’t know stretch marks occur when the skin stretches too much (duh) like when somebody gains weight or becomes pregnant.  I did some research and discovered that the skin actually tears and since these tears occur in a deep skin layer they can be very difficult to heal.

I was pretty happy with my figure – I liked the way I looked in a bikini (and so did my husband).  My mother suggested using cocoa butter.  But my hubby (the online research nut) read a New York Times article that reported on a large medical study that showed cocoa butter does not prevent stretch marks at all.

The largest study on the subject was published in 2008 by a team of dermatologists and obstetricians. It followed 175 women in their first pregnancies, some randomly assigned to apply a cocoa butter lotion each day and others assigned to use a placebo. Neither the subjects nor the researchers knew who was using which treatment. After many months, the researchers found no difference in the development or severity of marks, known medically as striae, over the abdomen, breasts or thighs.

But that same study did show that a special form of vitamin E, called tocopheral, was highly effective in preventing stretch marks.

For those looking for an alternative, scientists have found that vitamin E creams are more effective.

A bit more research led me to Revitol Stretch Mark Cream.  The main ingredient is vitamin E and the cream claims it can prevent stretch marks altogether.  I was a bit skeptical, but the online reviews were generally very positive so I decided to give it a try.