Whether they're a result of pregnancy or some other changes in the body, stretch marks happen to all of us. So what are they, exactly?

"Stretch marks, or striae, occur when our skin stretches and the collagen and elastin fibers that support the skin rupture," explains board-certified dermatologist Deanne Mraz . "The tears cause tiny blood vessels in the skin to break, which is what gives the marks their purplish-red hue. Over time, these marks can fade to pink and then white."

The 10 Best Stretch Mark Creams

It's worth reinforcing that practically everyone has them. “Stretch marks are common and harmless,” says board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman . Still, if you want to get rid of them, you're hardly alone, and there are solutions. Just keep in mind that you might not get full results from an over-the-counter cream. "Stretch marks are essentially scars and there is no way to truly get rid of scars, but there are numerous treatments that can greatly minimize the appearance of stretch marks," says Hartman.

From the best belly balms to the best retinol lotion, keep reading for our edit of the 10 best stretch mark creams, including derm recommendations, editors' picks, and more.