Natural Remedies for Stretch Marks

You can spend a small fortune on commercial products that promote the healing and reduction of stretch marks. However, if you spend a little time reading labels, aside from the many chemicals you can't pronounce, you will discover something rather interesting.

The active ingredients in most stretch mark remedies are derived from natural ingredients. It's true! Mother nature already provides us with the most effective, natural remedies for stretch marks.

Olive Oil: Olive oil is one of those items you just can't live without. Great for cooking, great for reducing wrinkles, and great for healing stretch marks. Rich with vitamins and nutrients, it's available at any grocery store, and works well as a topical solution to reduce stretch marks and the discolouration that accompanies them.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is known throughout the world for its natural healing properties. It's a staple ingredient found in many skin care and stretch mark products, labeled as cocos nucifera on the packaging. Aside from being richly hydrating, it's also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidizing. As far as stretch marks go, the abundance of nutrients will stimulate collagen production, and lighten the deep streaks of discolouration of heavy marks. It absorbs well into the skin and is unlikely to cause adverse reactions.

Caffeine: Many store bought products are promoting the use of caffeine to decrease the signs of aging, cellulite and stretch marks. Does it sound like hocus-pocus to you? Well, actually, it's true. That doesn't mean you should start drinking more coffee every day. Believe it or not, you should bathe in it.

Applied as a body scrub, coffee grounds will work to plump up the area of stretch marks so they appear even with the rest of the skin. It can also be added to bath water for a nice soak. Caffeine is a stimulant, which won't reduce stretch marks, but actually aggravates the layers beneath the skin, causing them to swell up. This gives the appearance of smooth skin.

Caffeine is only a temporary solution, but it's a great fix if you have a special occasion coming up and you want your stretch marks to be less noticeable. Cinnamon or cayenne pepper can also have the same temporary plumping effect, but they are more likely to cause irritation or rashes on the skin.

Essential Oils: Most essential oils are rich in vitamins and nutrients which promote the body's natural ability to regenerate tissue, and foster the healing process. Essential oils such as aloe vera oil, jojoba oil, lavender oil and vitamin E oil are excellent conduits for the reduction of stretch marks.

When using essential oils, it's important to use them sparingly, because a little goes a long way. A few drops is all you need. You can apply the oils full strength, or add a few drops to your favourite moisturizer, mix it with some vaseline or add a couple dashes to your bath water. Essential oils also seal in moisture and usually help the skin restore its natural pigmentation, so those white streaks or deep purple scar-like lines of stretch marks are faded.