It may not yet be possible to banish stretch marks completely, but there are ways to make them less noticeable. Tara King investigates

Stretch marks: these red or yellow lines that slink across the skin are the plague of many women's bodies. Once the skin has stretched, although they shrink and fade to silvery traces, the marks are there for life.

Stretch marks are a form of scarring and tend to be found on women's hips, thighs, buttocks, tummy and breasts or on any area where fat is deposited. Pregnancy, weight fluctuation and changes in body shape at adolescence can all result in stretch marks.

Beat the stretch
Keeping your skin supple and well moisturised from the inside out will help avoid the dreaded stretch marks. You can eat your way to better skin by following a healthy diet. 'A wholefood diet packed with essentials fats, zinc, Vitamin C and E are good for your skin', says nutritionist Kate Cook from www.thenutritioncoach.co.uk. 'Make sure you are taking a good multivitamin such as Biocare - One a day or Solgar VM2000 which contains at least 15mg of zinc'. Drink plenty of water to ensure your skin is properly hydrated and also to flush out toxins.

Boost your daily intake of essential fats and zinc by mixing together 50g each of flaxseeds, sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds. Grind in a food blender and sprinkle over salads, breakfast cereals or eat raw. Store in the fridge to keep fresh.

The nine-month worry
Pregnancy is a time when women worry most about stretch marks when their skin is stretched to its limits. Midwife and natural health practitioner Zita West advises women 'to use a rich natural cream to nourish and hydrate the skin that is safe for use during pregnancy'. However she warns that, 'stretch marks unfortunately tend to be congenital and no cream will ever prevent or get rid of stretch marks whatever claims they make.'

Stretch mark creams on the spotlight
Having recently had a baby and graced with a fresh sprinkling of stretch marks, I was more than happy to test out these stretch mark body products.

Elancyl Stretch Mark Reducing Concentrate (£14.95 for 75ml) Stockists: 0845 117 0116.
Elancyl boasts skin-repairing active ingredients which help to regenerate the skin tissue. With it's nozzle dispenser it looks a serious business, but it's in fact a deliciously effective product. I loved the planty smell, it's light and non-greasy texture and the feel of it on my skin. Use twice a day to reap the benefits.

DECLEOR Tonilastil - Firming Stretch Mark Cream with Plant Extracts (£33.50, 100ml. Stockists: 020 7313 8780)
This is one of those word-of-mouth wonder creams that helped to reduce the redness in my stretch marks. The cream has a light, almost serum-like texture - with a fresh and clean smell. It's non-greasy, easy to apply and is quickly absorbed into skin, so you can slap it on and get dressed without sticking to your clothes.

A4 Fushi by eva - cell rejuvenator body cream(£60.00, 200ml. Stockists: www.fushi.co.uk)
This isn't a specific stretch mark cream, but it contains the luxurious ingredient Moroccan Argan oil which boosts circulation and intensely moisturises. A4 has a thick, bouncy texture and is quickly absorbed. It left my skin feeling very moisturised and slightly firmer, but I found the smell slightly sickly.

Organic Earth Mama Angel Baby Stretch Oil (£19.99 - 120ml Available from www.naturisimo.com)
I'm not very good with oils. I tend to squirt too much on and end up feeling like a greasy sausage with stains on my clothes. However, many women swear by body oil, especially during pregnancy when your body is most in need of moisture. This herb-infused organic oil smells all fruity and delicious and doubles up as a bath oil too.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks (£4.99 125g. Stockist: All good pharmacists)
This is one of those products with a hardcore following - you either love or hate it's distinct chocolaty smell. I'm a fan of this cheap and cheerful cream. It's so thick you have to squeeze the tube hard to get it out and rub like mad to get it in. It has super moisturising powers and did make my flabby tummy feel a little bit tighter. Also works as a great all over body cream.

Dr. Hauschka Blackthorn Body Oil (£16, 100ml. Stockist: www.drhauschka.co.uk)
This organic skin range has a loyal following and after trying this product I'm now a convert to their body range. It doesn't feel like a greasy oil, but slips easily into the skin leaving the skin feeling soft and warm. The Blackthorn body oil contains lavender and rosemary essential oils which help to tone the skin and prevent stretch marks.

Zita West Beautiful Belly Balm (£18.50, 100ml. Stockist: www.zitawest.com or 0870 1668899)
The doyenne of the mothers-to-be world Zita West has created this popular pregnancy cream. Beautifully packaged, the cream has a light, delicate texture with a slightly woody smell. It contains a blend of natural plant oils - including rose, sandalwood, borage and Vitamin E which is essential for keeping skin supple and moisturised.

ESPA Nourishing Body Oil. (£25, 100ml. Stockist: 01252 352230)
Blended with sweet almond and calendula, this oil helps to improve stretched skin and keep the skin supple. Stunningly presented in a tall slim bottle with a contemporary pebbled patterned lid, it's almost too smart too use. After a warm bath, rubbing this soft, light smelling oil into my skin left me feeling like I'd just wafted out of a day spa. Recommended.