Are you looking for ways to help minimize the chance of getting stretch marks or help get rid of your stretch marks?

From body butter, stretch mark cream, to vitamin E oil skin care products, there are many options out there that claim to help with uneven skin tone and stretch mark prevention. Before you go to drastic measures like lasers and micro-peels, consider the natural way by learning about the best oil for stretch marks on your skin. In addition to diet and exercise, our oils can help prevent stretch marks from forming.

Beyond prevention, essential oils may help reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks when used correctly. To help you sort through our extensive collection of natural body products and oils, we’ve listed the top seven oils for stretch marks. 

What Causes Stretch Marks?

In order to prevent and diminish stretch marks, it’s important to understand the causes behind them.

While stretch marks are indeed signs of stretching skin, the Mayo Clinic shares the risk factors for developing these indents and colored streaks:

• Genetic tendency

• Stress on the skin, especially during pregnancy, that affects the skin's elasticity

• High cortisone levels, weakening the skin’s elastic fibers

While maintaining a healthy weight is a key for preventing stretch marks, that’s little comfort to women experiencing pregnancy or developing highly visible red and purple stretch marks for seemingly no reason.

Because the skin’s elasticity plays a role, essential oils that promote elasticity and cell regeneration may help prevent and diminish stretch marks.

Which is the best oil for pregnancy stretch marks? For stretch marks all-around? Let’s take a look.

1. Skin Love Synergy Blend

New to our collection, Skin Love was created to help firm, heal and tone your skin and skin cells naturally. It contains the following powerhouse natural ingredient oils:

• Frankincense

• Sandalwood

• Lavender

• Helichrysum

• Evening Primrose CO2

• Roman Chamomile

• Rosehip Oil CO2

• Pine

• Geranium

• German Chamomile

• Seabuckthorn Berry CO2

• Copaiba

• Marigold Flower CO2

• Gurjun Balsam

• Damascus Rose

• Vanilla CO2

This synergy blend is packed with anti-inflammatory and calming properties that are formulated to help boost cell regeneration, prevent scarring and level out stretch marks.

Drawing on contemporary science and folkloric medicine alike, we’ve formulated this blend to nourish your skin. In our book, it’s the best oil for stretch marks. 

However, if you’re excited to put some of your individual oils to use, we’ll share the details of some of its most potent constituent oils below.

2. Frankincense

Frankincense is one of our favorite oils for addressing an uneven skin tone on the face. The same qualities that help to diminish redness, age spots and discoloration can also make it a useful aid when it comes to stretch marks.

A 2017 study looked at Frankincene’s effects on fibroblasts—growths of connective tissue. Researchers found that:

• Frankincense decreased inflammation when applied topically.

• The oil seemed to play a role in cell-signaling that could influence cell repair and remodeling.

Because Frankincense may promote cell regeneration, it’s an ideal oil for aiding stretch marks.

3. Geranium

Another time-tested essential oil favorite, Geranium is an astringent that helps tighten skin. 

Due to its regenerative properties, Geranium oil is used in traditional and folkloric medicine to strengthen cell walls and reduce the appearance of varicose veins. 

The regenerative properties that make this oil one of our favorite essential oils for varicose veins can also help to strengthen skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

4. Neroli

Incredibly gentle, Neroli helps balance oil production while it tones the skin. 

• Neroli is a known antioxidant. That means it can help prevent damage due to environmental pollutants, UV rays and other harmful substances. Stronger, less damaged skin may be less likely to develop stretch marks.

• Neroli oil is one of the best essential oils for stretch marks during pregnancy.

If you have sensitive skin, Neroli is your go-to!

5. Jasmine Absolute

Great at moisturizing dry skin, Jasmine absolute can also help improve the skin’s elasticity. 

Jasmine is perhaps best known as an additive to perfume. However, this musky, floral oil also has powerful properties that can benefit skin health. It is:

• Antimicrobial

• Anti-inflammatory

• Highly hydrating

Scientists studying essential oils for skin health note that Jasmine is great for mature skin. Its regenerative properties help soften the skin and reduce dryness.

6. Helichrysum

Packed with anti-inflammatory and cytophylactic properties, Helichrysum helps skin regenerate collagen. 

Helichrysum has been used in Mediterranean culture for complaints including:

• Burns

• Wound healing

• Reducing the appearance of varicose veins

Derived from the flower of a plant in the daisy family, Helichrysum essential oil contains a compound called ursolic acid, which affects collagen production.

It can be highly effective on many kinds of scarring and may help reduce stretch marks, too.

7. Sweet Orange

Almost all citrus oils are known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Sweet Orange is no exception. 

An overview of Orange’s properties states that it can prevent skin fragility and help to even skin tone.

How To Use Essential Oils For Stretch Marks

How can you use these essential oils to reduce stretch marks?

The first step is diluting them with a nourishing carrier oil such as Fractionated Coconut oil, Sweet Almond oil, Jojoba oil, Rosehip oil, Grapeseed oil or Argan oil.

In this regard, Argan is ideal, since it has its own skin-healing properties that may help prevent or diminish stretch marks.

• A 2016 study looked at the ability of an Argan oil-in-water cream to reduce stretch marks. An ultrasound found that skin was more elastic after application. 

• A scientific overview of Argan oil’s properties notes that its antioxidants and fatty acids make it a potential ally in helping scars, stretch marks and other skin discoloration of all kinds.

To create your own massage oil or body oil combine:

• 1 oz Argan carrier oil

• 18 drops Skin Love synergy blend

After your shower or bath, apply your new stretch mark oil to slightly damp skin for maximal absorption. Because Argan oil is so thin, it should absorb quickly into the stretch mark prone areas.

This produces a massage oil with a dilution rate of 5%, allowing you to experience essential oils’ most beneficial effects. However, if you’re sensitive to certain aromas, or may be pregnant, be sure to dilute your oil more thoroughly.

Preventing Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, changes to your body may be stressful, especially if you’re concerned that your stretch marks are permanent.

First of all, rest assured that stretch marks diminish over time. If you’re experiencing significant discoloration, hormonal changes likely play a role. Your stretch marks may fade in time. However, you can still take steps to prevent and reduce stretch marks.

During pregnancy, we recommend avoiding essential oils during your first trimester because:

• Topical essential oils can be transferred to your baby through the placenta

• Changes to your sense of smell may make the aromas overwhelming

In your second and third trimester, it should be safe to use essential oils at a lower concentration (although we also recommend consulting with your doctor and an aromatherapist).

Try out:

• 4 oz Argan carrier oil

• 20 drops Skin Love synergy blend 

Be sure to consult your doctor before using essential oils if pregnant or nursing, and check out our guide on essential oils safe for pregnancy if you have other questions!

Supporting Wellness Goals

At Edens Garden, we blend the best of contemporary and traditional aromatherapeutic knowledge to formulate synergy blends that meet your wellness needs and have natural ingredients. Whether you’re hoping to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, get better sleep, or survive allergy season, we have the perfect blend for you.

Sources:

1. “Stretch Marks.” The Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stretch-marks/symptoms-causes/syc-20351139
2. Han, Xuesheng et al. “Biological activities of frankincense essential oil in human dermal fibroblasts.” Biochimie open vol. 4 31-35. 3 Feb. 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5801908/
3. Suttie, Emma. “Natural Remedies for Varicose Veins.” Chinese Medicine Living. November 12, 2017. https://www.chinesemedicineliving.com/acupuncture/natural-remedies-for-varicose-veins
4. Ao, Yoko et al. “Singlet oxygen scavenging activity and cytotoxicity of essential oils from rutaceae.” Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition 43.1 (2008): 6-12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2459252/
5.  Orchard, Ane and Van Vuuren, Sandy. “Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Disease.” Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017). https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2017/4517971/
6. Appendino, Giovanni et al. “Helichrysum italicum.” HerbalGram 105 (2015). https://www.bioelicriso.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/HG105-Helichrysum-PROOF.pdf
7. Suryawanshi, Jyotsna. “An overview of Citrus aurantium used in treatment of various diseases.” African Journal of Plant Science 5.7 (2011): 390-395. https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380019714_Suryawanshi.pdf
8. Bogdan, Cătălina et al. “Preliminary study on the development of an antistretch marks water-in-oil cream: ultrasound assessment, texture analysis, and sensory analysis.” Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology 9 (2016): 49-55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5019162/
9. Goik, U., Goik, T. and Załęska, I. “The Properties and Application of Argan Oil in Cosmetology.” European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology 121 (2019). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ejlt.201800313?casa_token=p17xQRQl24QAAAAA%3AIVuQl2BbflHeOBYC5DNFL-owCrJptqb-7n3-RlYiVBsshbJf05Z3Wk0URdYHnQlWCb_YbuBDPimdqg