Finally, Something to Help those STRETCH MARKS!? A Review for InstaNaturals and Body Merry's Stretch Mark and Scar Cream

Stretch marks. Scars. You probably got 'em if you're a female that has gone through puberty.. or gained weight, then lost it rather quickly. Or just gained a significant amount of weight at some point, period. However, the award for "most likely to get some crazy stretch marks" goes to pregnant women. I mean, the stomach is getting stretched out because, you know, there's a baby in there. I am without child, but I've def got some pretty awesome stretch marks on my hips (which I've chosen to cover with cute animal tattoos) and on my lower back (thanks, puberty).

In the case of scars, you probably got it as a result of an injury. Or whatever. I can tell you that  I  am kind-of a klutz and therefore have some pretty gnarly scars.. but the scars don't bother me as much. I mean, they have stories to tell. I have this one crazy scar on my knee from when I was drunkenly climbing these super jagged ocean rocks in Tulum after throwing back some Mexican beer (okay, beers) with my temporary Swiss boyfriend. I NEVER WANT THAT SCAR TO GO AWAY! Still, most people hate their scars. And REALLY hate their stretch marks. 

How exactly do stretch marks happen anyway? This is really simple- literally, the skin is being stretched. Sometimes hormones can play a part in this too (cortisol) and if it does, the stretch mark cases can be more extreme. The color of your said stretch marks can vary, from a brownish to a pinkish, purplish.. heck, mine almost look translucent.

Scarring, on the other hand, is a natural part of the healing process after injury. I'm trying to remember which stage of wound healing its in, but it is. Scars are formed from the same protein that regular tissue is formed from- collagen-- however, the fibers are different and leave a different composition.. so yes, hence, scars. 

People hate stretch marks (and scars) because most women (and people??) would consider them aesthetically displeasing. Aside from that, there's nothing wrong with them. It doesn't mean that you are sick or have some crazy disease or have weird little parasites traveling through your body (which is what I actually thought when I first noticed my first stretch mark, at 12 years old or something crazy, GO ME). The problem with them? They are super hard to get rid of. People used to swear by cocoa butter, then it was coconut oil, then that Bio-Oil stuff came out, but still people aren't satisfied. Other treatment options include microdermabrasion, laser therapy, retinol creams, etc.. the former of which can be quite  expensive. All that for a few stretch marks? I mean, isn't there another way!??!! 

Well, sort of. This review is for stretch mark / scar creams from two bodaciously awesome companies,  InstaNatural and Body Merry. The claims from each of these companies is that the cream will not only help diminish the appearance of these unsightly beasts, but also hydrate the skin and help prevent new ones from forming.

Key ingredients of both of these products include vitamin C, cocoa butter, evening primrose oil, and grapeseed oil, all of which will really help to hydrate and moisturize.. in addition, that good ol cocoa butter is already known to be great in treating stretch marks. Plus, the vitamin c will gently exfoliate the skin, which, in theory, can help to lessen the appearance of stretch marks. 

Other key ingredients of the Body Merry Cream include the following...
Shea Butter, Vitamins E, C, B3, B5, Sunflower Seed Oil, Plant Stem Cells (oo lala!) Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil,  Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Organic Gotu Kala, Algae Extract and Japanese Green Tea Leaf Extract 

And here's the full  InstaNatural ingredients list: Deionized Water, Organic Aloe Vera, Glyceryl Stearate, Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) Cetearyl Alcohol (Plant Derived) Safflower Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate) Stearic Acid, Sunflower Seed Oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Mango Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Evening Primrose Oil, Tranquil Sea Fragrance, Avocado Oil, Macadamia Oil, Palm Oil, Tamanu Oil, Noni (Morinda Citrifolia) Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Antioxidant Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Honeysuckle Flower Extract (Lonicera Caprifollum) Honeysuckle Extract (Lonicera Japonica)

These both have some pretty powerful ingredients in them. I'm particularly interested in Body Merry's key ingredient selection, which include raspberry seed oil and gotu kola, both of which can be used to help balance hormones. In addition, I know that gotu kola is pretty popular in its usage as an anti-inflammatory. Plus, the plant stem cells and green tea, and algae.. that all sounds very appealing to me, personally.

The scent of the InstaNatural's cream is delicious. Something about it is very cleansing and refreshing. Also, it has a great texture- not too lightweight, not too heavy. Body Merry's cream is quite heavier- in fact, it's super heavy, almost like a paste like texture. This is good for the winter months, when we need all of that extra hydration. Also, the scent of this one is quite different, and I have to say that I'm not a fan of it. I'm not even sure how to describe it, but I definitely wouldn't call it cleansing or refreshing.

After using these products for a few weeks each, I have to say that I don't notice a very dramatic appearance in my stretch marks or scars. I personally feel that we just haven't reached that level when it comes to topical applications and stretch marks. However, my skin feels way more hydrated and beautiful. Also, the tone appears a bit more even overall, and that's saying something, for sure.

These are both great products. Body Merry's cream comes in a 4 oz tub and can be purchased on amazon for $19.99. InstaNaturals' stretch mark / scar cream is a bit bigger, as it comes in a 5 oz size. Also, it's in a pump bottle (see pictures of each below), for those people that don't like digging their hands into the same tub repeatedly  and potentially contaminating it. At the same time, if we're the only ones using it, does it matter?! It's a personal choice. 5 oz of InstaNaturals pump bottle magic can be purchased on amazon for 23.75. Given the above review, both products have wonderful advantages and benefits. It really comes down to what you want, my dear readers. I will say, if you're an extreme germaphobe.. maybe go for the InstaNaturals, since its got dat pump bottle. Also, if you're sensitive to smells, go for InstaNaturals. On the other hand, if you want an uber rich product with some potent ingredients, go for Body Merry.

Pump bottle!! I hate germs, so I want this bottle!

Actuallyyyy, only my own grubby hands are gonna be using this stuff, so I could care less! I like being able to see how much product I have left. Yay for tubs of yummy creams!!