This post has been sponsored by Palmer’s. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #Palmers #SkinTherapyOil #skincareTips

Feeling your sweet baby kick for the first time. Hearing his strong, tiny heartbeat. Nesting and making plans for when you first meet your bundle of joy.

There are countless ways pregnancy is the sweetest time of our lives, right?

Yes. But…

Along with all of that sweet, comes the not-so-sweet, too. Morning sickness, extreme exhaustion, and for some…stretch marks.

This is my third pregnancy and thankfully, I’ve been able to reduce stretch marks so far. I know that some of it is genetics (thanks, Mom), but I also believe that there are steps we can take to help reduce stretch marks.

Today, I’m partnering with Palmer’s® Cocoa Butter Formula® Skin Therapy Oil to bring you my 5 tips to reduce the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

As soon as I found out I was pregnant with my first, I reached for Palmer’s. Each night before bed, I would slather my growing bump. And I didn’t stop there. I didn’t forget about the other areas of my body that could get stretch marks: my thighs, booty and chest. By the end, I was shocked that I hadn’t gotten any stretch marks.

Introduce Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil Into Your Routine.

This time around, I’m relying on Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil Rosehip to help me keep those pregnancy stretch marks at bay. It’s mineral oil and paraben free and less than $10. I love how it feels on my skin. It’s not at all greasy and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth all day long. It’s made with pure cocoa butter, sesame oil, argan oil and rosehip oil.

And the best part? It works. *After 8 weeks, 93% of women saw a reduction in the appearance of scars and 92% saw an improvement in the appearance of stretch marks.

Hydrate.

By now, I probably don’t have to convince you that water might just be the answer to about 82% of your problems. (Ballpark figure.) Keeping hydrated is important in life and becomes even more important when you are growing a little life inside of you.

I have noticed that I need SO much more water during pregnancy than I do during any other time. From morning to night, I have water—this time, with a whole lot of lemon (#cravings), within arm’s reach. Not only does it help keep that still ever-present nauseous at bay but staying hydrated helps with that pregnancy glow.

Exercise + Gain A Healthy Amount Of Weight

OK, I’m not going to lie. That one was tough to type out. And before you roll your eyes, hear me out. I have gained at LEAST 45 pounds with each of my pregnancies. At 5’6″, that’s a good bit of weight and over the “recommended” amount.

No matter what I do, how well I eat, or how much I exercise, I pretty much gained the same amount of weight during pregnancy. My hips get a whole lot wider. My thighs and booty save everything. So, I’m not saying you have to stay within a certain number on the scale because that would drive me crazy. But, if you focus on getting some exercise and eating well, you’ll be happier and healthier overall.

Take Your Vitamins + Load Up On Fruits And Veggies.

Just another reason not to forget those prenatal vitamins. Vitamin D is said to help skin’s overall appearance and, well, you know you just can’t go wrong loading up on those fruits and veggies. If you can’t stomach them early in your pregnancy, I’ve found that shakes make great meals when I’m feeling nauseous and not able to eat much.

Do you guys have any tried-and-true tips? Have you seen results with Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil? I would love to hear! Let me know in the comments below!

XO

*Based on responses in an 8 week home user trial by 200 female panelists.

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Find more pregnancy and postpartum tips here!