It’s not often we get the lowdown on Meghan Markle’s skin care regimen. The products responsible for Duchess of Sussex’s glowing complexion are almost as elusive as Kate Middleton’s blow dry secrets.
Nonetheless, we do have some knowledge courtesy of one of Markle’s close friends, who recently opened up to The Sun about the royal’s pregnancy must-haves.
“Meghan’s pregnancy standby is Bio-Oil which is non-greasy and does the job effortlessly without messing up her clothes or five-star sheets,” an insider told the U.K tabloid.
The luxurious-feeling body oil is beloved by women for its nourishing ingredients including vitamin A, E and Lavender Oil. At just $15 a pop, this budget-friendly hero delivers high-end results without costing the earth.
If Meghan is hoping to keep stretch marks at bay – she’s not alone. Almost 80% of women see more stretch marks after being pregnant.
What are stretch marks?
While some women might feel self-conscious about their ‘tiger stripes’ it’s important to remember that there is absolutely nothing wrong with having stretch marks.
Stretch marks are a reality for between 50 and 90 per cent of people on the planet according to research from the University of Michigan. While they most commonly appear on the abdomen (from pregnancy or weight gain) other common areas include the thighs, hips, bum and arms.
To understand what causes stretch marks you need to consider that your skin is made of up of several layers. The top layer is called the epidermis and the dermis lies beneath that. Your dermis is what determines your skin’s elasticity and where your body stores and produces collagen.
Stretch marks are tiny tears in your collagen bundles which occur during periods of rapid growth. The common thinking here is that when the skin returns to its natural growth rate it can appear to be wrinkled and loose because it’s not supported by the same collagen structure underneath.
WATCH: Meghan Markle Plays Up Her Pregnancy Glow in a Blush Brandon Maxwell Dress and Blazer
This article originally appeared on InStyle.
