Stretch marks are one of the most normal occurrences, especially on the female body. Everything from gaining or even losing weight to ageing and loss of collagen can leave you with stretch marks. An easy way to understand this would be to think of your skin like a rubber band or elastic hair tie. Over time, because of wear and tear, and expansion and contraction, it loses shape. So simply put, stretch marks are the result of your skin losing elasticity and not being able to bounce back to its original shape.
Understandably, the way to maintain, boost, and increase the longevity of the elasticity of the skin would be to keep it hydrated and moisturised. And that’s why body oils are so effective for stretch marks. Compared to moisturisers, body oils create a stronger non-penetrative barrier that seals all the hydration and moisturisation into the skin.
6 Body Oils To Reduce The Appearance Of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are typically darker in colour when they first appear, signifying the breakdown of elasticity in the skin. They would appear purple-reddish, or even brownish, based on your skin colour. Without treatment, they will turn whiteish or silver over time. At this point, the stretch marks are beyond repair and more permanent in appearance, which is why it’s always advisable to begin treatment measures at the first sight of stretch marks.
A great first line of treatment, body oils are packed with fatty acids that nourish and hydrate the skin. Here’s a list of the best body oils to arrest, or reduce the appearance of stretch marks:
1. Argan Oil
Sourced from kernels of the argan tree, this oil has quickly made its way to the most favourite oils for skin care and hair care. And it is believed to do wonders for lightening the appearance of stretch marks too, by improving the elasticity of your skin. Not just reducing stretch marks, but applying argan oil can prevent these marks from appearing on your skin altogether. It has been found to be especially beneficial for making the skin of post-menopausal women more elastic when applied topically.
2. Rosehip Oil
Derived from the seed or fruits of roses, there is almost nothing that this ingredient cannot do for skin care, in all its forms—essential oil, powder, and petals. A wonderful moisturiser, it hydrates stretch marks enough to reduce their severity, especially those among pregnant women. Not just that, it has proven to be among the most effective when it comes to preventing new stretch marks from appearing on your skin.
3. Bitter Almond Oil
You’ve heard about sweet almond oil. The oil that weaves magic for all your skin and hair concerns. Well, almost all. Don’t confuse sweet almond oil and bitter almond oil because they are completely different. Bitter almond oil is extracted from a different variety of almond trees and offers a different set of benefits. It works effectively in reducing the appearance of stretch marks when massaged daily for about 15 minutes for a few consecutive days. However, it’s not yet known whether the oil gets absorbed by the skin and should be used with caution after consulting a dermatologist.
Check out these desi nuskhes for reducing the appearance of stretch marks here
4. Shea Butter
Shea butter has made a name for itself for its hydrating benefits and its ability to visibly tone down stretch marks. In fact, it was because of this quality that shea butter started gaining popularity in India more than a decade back. Shea butter is regularly featured as a core ingredient in moisturisers, body butter, body yoghurt, hand creams, foot creams, and more. It comes from the nuts of the shea tree and is enriched with vitamin A which is known for improving blood circulation and also healing blemishes and scars. Shea butter is not an essential oil but a carrier oil, which can be used as is or diluted with other essential oils to enhance its benefits.
5. Olive Oil
Another carrier oil like shea butter, is extracted from olive, which almost all of us (if not all) love in our Continental food. Embalmed with super hydrating properties, it deeply moisturises your skin, leaving it buoyant and thoroughly nourished. What’s more, it is also laden with antioxidants that prevent and treat skin inflammations, redness, and irritation. Olive oil may not prevent stretch marks from appearing, but it may help in lightening them once they appear. You can use it in its raw form as an essential oil or as a carrier oil by mixing it with other essential oils.
6. Neroli Oil
This oil is derived from bitter orange tree blossoms and may be effective for lightening the appearance of stretch marks and scars. It is packed with antioxidants that aid in the regeneration of skin cells and also improve the appearance of your skin. However, there is no comprehensive evidence yet that proves that neroli oil is effective in doing so. You can try to use it and observe whether it works for you.
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