Essential Oils For Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are breaks in the various layers of the skin (dermis and epidermis). They start off with a reddish-purple hue and go on to become silvery or white.

The most commonly known causes of stretch marks are:


Fluctuations In Weight

Skin gets stretched out with any kind of rapid weight and this makes epidermis tear and form scars.

Cushing Syndrome

This is due to high cortisol levels. Stretch marks are common with this condition.

Overuse Of Cortisone Skin Creams

The overuse of cortisone creams is believed to make the skin prone to stretch marks. Cortisone creams are often prescribed for dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

This condition is an inherited disorder that affects the joints, skin, and blood vessels thereby making the skin prone to tears and bruises and hence often causes stretch marks.

Abnormalities In Collagen Formation

There are medications that can cause a loss of collagen fibers in the skin’s dermis, and in turn, its elasticity which results in a tear in the skin each time the body goes through a physical change.

Stretch marks are just normal and common. Though they can’t be totally erased, there are certain oils that might lighten their appearance.

Essential Oils For Stretch Marks

Lemon Oil

Due to its ability to fight damage caused by free radicals in the skin and prevent the death of cells that produce collagen and keratin (the building blocks of skin), lemon oil is one of the most stretch marks-busting remedies.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has wound-healing abilities. It could increase collagen production and help in the development of granulation tissue, which is a tissue that forms over raw, broken skin during wound healing, according to research. It also helps in dealing with new stretch marks and prevents a new one from forming.

Rose and Rosehip Oil

Rose oil is extracted from the petals of roses while rosehip oil is extracted from the fruit of the rose plant. Rose essential oil stimulates the production of keratinocytes, which creates keratin (the structural proteins that make up the skin’s outer layer). Keratin is a must for stretch marks. This essential oil strengthens weak skin thereby fixing cellulite and stretch marks

On the other hand, rosehip oil has shown to improve the severity of stretch marks in pregnant women with old stretch marks.

Patchouli Oil

Patchouli oil has been recommended for stretch marks due to its antioxidant properties that can fight skin damage caused by free radicals and promote collagen synthesis.

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola contains compounds that help increase collagen production. It improves skin’s tensile strength, therefore aiding in the reduction of stretch marks and prevents future ones.

Bitter Almond Oil

Based on a study, a daily 15-minute massage of bitter almond oil has been found to lower the incidence of stretch marks on pregnant women.

Neroli (Bitter Orange Tree) Oil

Neroli oil is made from bitter orange tree blossoms. This oil has been used in folk medicine to lighten skin as well as improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks. According to studies, neroli oil has antioxidant properties that help in skin cell regeneration and wound healing.

Argan Oil

Argan oil is known to improve the skin’s elasticity, thus reducing the appearance of stretch marks. You could either use an ointment with argan oil in it or use the essential oil as a massage oil.

Pomegranate oil

Pomegranate oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which are believed to increase the skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity thus improving the appearance of stretch marks.

How To Use

Use essential oils in a homemade blend when treating stretch marks. Dilute 5–10 drops of essential oils in 1 tablespoon of a carrier. It is important to do this as essential oils are made at high concentrations. Lovely carrier oil includes almond, olive, coconut, and grapeseed oil. Rub the mixture onto the stretch marks until fully absorbed.

Furthermore, you can also exfoliate with essential oils to scrub away dead skin cells and lighten up dark streaks, making stretch marks less noticeable.

Start with 2 cups of a natural exfoliant like sugar or sea salt. Combine with 1 cup carrier oil like olive, avocado, or sunflower oil. Add 10–15 drops of essential oils and mix well.