Stretch marks are a reminder of that growth spurt when your scrawny hips suddenly curved. Or the ones that appeared with your first child. Some appear with weight gain, during part of weight training, or from long-term application of some medications. Regardless, they shine and itch, often more dramatically than is comfortable.
What causes stretch marks? They are scar tissue, medically known as striae. They happen when there’s sudden stretching that ruptures the skin’s collagen and elastin. These components give skin strength and elasticity. Stretch mark scarring appears as skin heals. At first they are pink shades, later fading to white. Initially they may cause itching, that too fading with time.
Why Essential Oils are good for Stretch Marks
There are luscious oils that care for skin when it is being stretched to the max! Circulation is invigorated. Capillaries are cared for. Sebaceous oils are prompted to promote skin elasticity. Skin cells proliferate, regenerate, and tone. Itchy, swollen and inflamed tissues are calmed and protected. Delicious oil aromas relieve stress, bathing you in peace-filled balance when your body is rapidly changing.
Stretch marks are most often associated with pregnancy, a time of life when essential oils for skin truly shine! Even though you should avoid topical use during the first 16 weeks, you can inhale their loving vapors to infuse calm as they nurture your skin.
Best Essential Oils For Stretch Marks
1. Frankincense Oil (Boswellia carterii)
Frankincense is a spicy oil with a moderately heavy, pungent aroma that conveys a message of strength. Its compound limonene is a powerful ally that promotes the deep cleansing protection needed for stretch mark care. The compound pinene adds further aid when skin becomes taut and irritated as it stimulates, tones, and offers antiseptic care.
Frankincense stimulates serotonin, inducing calm, deep breathing that fosters feelings of wholeness and balance.
Mix 4 drops in 10 ml of coconut carrier oil; massage each day into stretch mark areas.
Best for: Caring for skin irritation.
2. Myrrh Oil (Commiphora myrrha)
Myrrh is an ancient oil that protects and cleanses contemporary skin. Its esters boost white blood cells to protect the harmed skin of stretch marks. They limit the redness and swelling in inflamed tissues. Myrrh is relaxing, calming troublesome itchiness, letting you sleep. Myrrh soothes damaged skin as it stimulates granulation and new skin cell growth.
Create a warm compress by adding 6 drops of myrrh to a bowl of very warm water. Soak a towel in the water, wring thoroughly, and place on area of stretch marks. Wrap with a second dry towel to insulate, keeping in place for 15 minutes.
Best for: Skin regeneration.
3. Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender to the rescue! The compounds in lavender tone skin, strengthening the tissues that need bolstering in the midst of rupturing, rapid growth. These powerful natural chemicals help tissues regenerate with as little scarring as possible. Lavender is refreshingly absorbed into the layers of skin where sebaceous glands produce oils.
Lavender lovingly stands with you as you release stress. This calming promotes welcome rest.
Open the bottle and waft beneath your nose for a refreshing lift.
Best for: Skin strengthening.
4. Patchouli Oil (Pogostemon cablin)
Patchouli is rich and lustrous in aroma and benefits! Its sesquiterpene compounds cleanse and protect your skin, supporting you when skin is being stretched. Patchouli fends off redness and tension when skin becomes inflamed from tissue injury.
According to research, beta-patchoulene is the compound responsible for patchouli’s potent anti-inflammatory activity. It then benefits you with restorative support as its alcohols and esters help strained, damaged skin to regenerate. Skin is thankfully toned and reinvigorated.
Add a few drops of patchouli to an older, worn undergarment, letting it cozy up to areas of stretch, offering hours of protective goodness.
Best for: Skin protection.
5. Rose Geranium Oil (Pelargonium graveolens)
Geranium is a lovely, versatile oil that is highly valued as a body and mind balancer. It aids skin oils, helping to maintain moisture and suppleness in the midst of rapid change. It offers calm when feeling stressed by the appearance and irritation of stretch marks.
Geranium alcohols support cleansing, providing vital care when skin is harmed or irritated. It stimulates circulation, strengthening your skin’s repair and toning abilities. At the same time, the oil’s alcohol and ester compounds give you a welcome boost if you’re feeling down.
To prepare a personal spray add 2 drops of geranium to 10 ml carrier oil mixed with 3 ml witch hazel. Blend well and use when feeling stressed or blue.
Best for: Stimulating circulation.
6. Helichrysum Oil (Helichrysum italicum)
Helichrysum goes deep to boost skin elasticity and aid with skin regeneration. This benefit is due to the oil’s ketones. It is particularly helpful as helichrysum achieves a happy outcome quite quickly. Pinene, a terpene compound, limits the effects of inflammation. Muscle and nerve spasms are reduced, offering added support when your body is experiencing rapid change.
Add 1 drop to a lava bracelet, letting helichrysum bathe you in its deeply sweet aromas of greenery.
Best for: Boosts skin elasticity.
7. Bitter Orange Oil (Citrus aurantium)
Bitter orange is rich in terpene and alcohol compounds that invigorate circulation. Pinene is one that aids in the care of delicate capillaries that can be damaged as skin stretches and ruptures. Linalool boosts circulation by dilating blood vessels, bringing warmth to your skin. Bitter orange has the ability to tone and bring balance to the dermis layers of skin, those upset by rapid growth.
Add 1 drop of bitter orange to 10 ml of shower gel, lathering first on stretch mark areas.
Best for: Capillary care.
Note:Â Avoid topical use during first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
8. Pomegranate Oil (Punica granatum)
Pomegranate seed oil is made from the seeds of this glorious fruit. It is known to stimulate the rapid reproduction of keratinocytes, skin cells that make up most of your skin’s outer layer. This cell growth strengthens and tones skin. A study of female human subjects concluded that a cream containing pomegranate oil shows potential for preventing or improving factors that lead to stretch marks.
Add 4 drops to your favorite skin cream, massaging into tissues for deep, lasting effect.
Best for: Improving skin’s outer layer.
Note: Avoid topical use during first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Best Essential Oils For Stretch Marks Recipes
Carry On Stretch Mark Salve
This blend is made exclusively of carrier oils as each included here strengthens, tones, and moisturizes your taut skin. Circulation is improved as collagen and skin tissue are renewed. This oil is approved for use early in pregnancy.
- Small glass jar
- 5 ml coconut carrier oil
- 5 ml apricot carrier oil
- 5 ml Centella asiatica (gotu kola) carrier oil
Blend oils well, storing in a glass jar.
Apply and gently massage into areas of stretching skin, even before any marks show.
Supple, Soothing, Skin Strengthening Salve
This balm blends the benefits of each oil with jojoba and its skin penetrating, smoothing, and softening gifts.
- A glass bottle
- 30 ml of jojoba carrier oil
- 8 drops of bitter orange
- 4 drops of lavender
- 3 drops of geranium
- 3 drops of frankincense
Drop the oils into jojoba oil, blend well, and store in a glass bottle. For use during pregnancy, simply apply to abdominal tissues, without massaging. It is suitable to massage the balm into other tissues, such as arms, thighs, or breasts, pregnant or not!
Steam Inhalation: Mark My Words, I’ll Not Be Stretched!
This friendly yet determined steam inhalation gives your skin strength as it wraps you in calm, bestowing sound refreshing sleep.
- A large bowl of very warm filtered or distilled water
- A large towel
- 10 drops of lavender
- 6 drops of helichrysum
- 4 drops of myrrh
- 3 drops of frankincense
Drop the oils into the water and swish well.
Cover your head with the towel, keeping your face 6 to 8 inches from the water’s surface, using caution not to scald. Tuck the towel in around bowl edges, creating a tent.
Stay seated, inhaling these lovely aromas for 10 minutes. When finished, arise carefully.
A Caring Compress For Tense, Taut Skin
This is a gently warming recipe that hydrates tense tissues as it soothes the depths of your skin. Essential oils are blended with coconut as this carrier oil is as skin loving as they come!
- A bowl of very warm water
- 2 medium size towels
- 20 ml of coconut carrier oil
- 6 drops of bitter orange
- 4 drops of pomegranate
- 2 drops of patchouli
Blend the essential oils with the coconut oil. Mix well in the water.
Dip one towel in the water, then wring thoroughly.
Fold the towel, then applying it to your taut skin. Cover with the second dry towel for insulation.
Keep the compress in place for 15 minutes, letting yourself be nudged into relaxation.
To Summarize
- Stretch marks, medically called striae, show up during bursts of growth. This happens during pregnancy, adolescent maturing, weight training, with some topical medications, or rapid weight gain. Stretching ruptures collagen and elastin tissues, leading to scarring.
- Essential oils promote skin suppleness, regeneration, and toning by stimulating circulation, skin oil production, and strengthening skin layers. They provide restful calm when experiencing dramatic body changes.
- Best essential oils for stretch marks are frankincense, myrrh, rose geranium, lavender, patchouli, bitter orange, helichrysum, and pomegranate. Note safety precautions for topical use limitations during pregnancy.
- Use tips include a lava bracelet infusion, wafting from the bottle, mixed with shower gel, a personal spray, and as a massage oil or compress.
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