How to Naturally Get Rid of Stretch Marks

There are tons of creams and potions out there that claim to get rid of stretch marks, but you’re probably wondering how to naturally get rid of stretch marks instead. There are a few chemical-free, soothing ways you can go about removing those old and new marks that can pop up from growth spurts, pregnancy, or weight gain.

What to Apply Topically

No matter what you choose to apply to your stretch marks, remember to be consistent. It may take months to notice a remarkable difference. You may even want to take before and after photos to track the progress.

Potato Juice

Potatoes naturally lighten and brighten your skin, so they can help fade those stretch marks.

You don’t leave this one on all day, so don’t worry about smelling funny. Slice up a raw potato and rub the pieces over the stretch marks. Let the juice dry on your skin for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Pat dry and apply your moisturizer. You can do this a few times per day if you have the time.

For more benefits of potato juice, check out Livened Up.

Lemon Juice

You may have tried putting lemon juice in your hair to lighten it in the sun during your younger years, or maybe you’ve heard it can fade freckles. Lemon juice, like potato juice, is a natural skin lightener and brightener that may work on stretch marks, too. You use it the same way you do the potato juice—slice, rub the juice on, leave it for 10-15 minutes, and rinse. Apply your moisturizer and you’re all set.

Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter

Cocoa butter and shea butter are both excellent for moisturizing the skin, which can help speed up the healing process or prevent future stretch marks. If you opt for cocoa butter over shea, you’ll smell delicious (like chocolate!) too. Mix in a little vitamin E oil to increase the benefits.

Coconut Oil

This is, hands down, one of the best, most nourishing body moisturizers out there. It’s packed with antioxidants and works to lessen the appearance of stretch marks and prevent more from forming. Use it all over, every day, for the best results.

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as fatty acids, making it a star when it comes to healthy skin cells. Trilogy offers certified organic rosehip oil. Since it’s not exactly inexpensive you may want to add a few drops to another oil before spreading it onto the skin.

Tea Tree Oil

Use this one sparingly, especially if you have sensitive skin. It’s best to mix this one with another carrier oil, whether it’s sweet almond, olive, coconut, or jojoba. Tea tree oil is often used in natural acne care and to help get rid of dandruff, but one of its lesser known qualities is its ability to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scarring.

Almond Oil

The vitamin E in sweet almond oil can help repair your skin. Use it as a moisturizer all over your body, taking special care to massage it into the areas where you have stretch marks. One study showed that the combination of bitter almond oil and massage reduced stretch mark development in pregnant women.

Application

• Before you get started, dry brush or exfoliate in the shower. This can lessen the appearance of the marks by removing the build-up of dry skin, increasing your circulation, and making it easier for the treatment to soak into the skin.
• Be sure to apply the juice, oil, or butter to your skin after a shower or bath when possible since your pores will be open and whatever you put on your skin will be more easily absorbed. Of course, you won’t always manage that if you’re applying something throughout the day, but just don’t forget to apply whatever you’re using post-shower.
• Combine a few options if you’d like. For example, you can mix in a few drops of tea tree oil with your almond oil, or apply coconut oil after rubbing the skin with potato juice. Always do a test patch and wait a few hours or overnight before applying something to a large area. It would not be fun to find out you have a sensitivity to tea tree oil or shea butter once you’ve applied it all over your breasts, belly, thighs, and bottom!

What to Eat to Heal Your Skin

Don’t forget to work on healthy, smooth skin from the inside, too. Some foods help heal your skin when eaten, not just when they’re rubbed on the outside.

• Avocados help rejuvenate the skin from the inside out thanks to a mix of folic acid and omega 3s that heal and soften the skin.
• Because of the high manganese content in pineapple, it helps the skin heal.
• Try adding walnuts to your lunch, afternoon snack, or dinner to heal and repair your skin. The L-arginine (an amino acid) may help make stretch marks less obvious.
• The sulfur found in cabbage assists wound healing in the body and may contribute to a diminished appearance of stretch marks. The vitamin C, which increases collagen production, is also beneficial.
• Pumpkin seeds are great because of their zinc content and vitamin E. Making sure you’re getting plenty of zinc in your diet could decrease your chances of developing more stretch marks, too.
• Dark, leafy greens contain vitamin K, which helps heal the skin.

Drink your water, too! Hydrated skin always looks and heals better than dehydrated skin.

Be Patient

When you’re learning how to naturally get rid of stretch marks, it’s easy to imagine this miraculous transformation overnight, and you may be one of the lucky ones who sees rapid results. However, in most cases, the stretch marks will fade gradually. That’s why we recommend taking before and after shots (kind of like you would when starting a new diet or exercise program) to monitor your progress. Stay consistent, eat well, and make sure your skin stays hydrated for the best results.