Like it or not, we live in a world that is very much concerned with appearances. Looking your best doesn’t just help impact the way that others perceive you, but it can also have a direct impact on your confidence, self-esteem, and even on your overall happiness. In short, you need to make sure that you look your best in order to truly feel your best.

There are plenty of things to consider here. Everything from weight to hair to clothing can impact the way that you look. But for millions of people, another factor exists – stretch marks. These are far more common than many realize, and yet so many feel the need to prevent them or eliminate them entirely. Luckily, there are options out there for doing so and some of them include natural solutions like the use of essential oils.

Stretch Marks Appear During Pregnancy and Excess Weight Gain

Most people know what they look like, but just what are stretch marks, exactly? The medical term for them is ‘striae distensae’, and they’re a natural occurrence that happens when the middle layer of the skin is torn. Just as their name suggests, this is most common when the skin is stretched more than it normally would be – such as during pregnancy or obesity.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks appear when your body rapidly gains excess weight. As the skin is stretched, the middle layer is torn. While it doesn’t cause pain, it does leave behind series of scars throughout the area. These can be slightly raised or somewhat discolored, most commonly purple or reddish. They’re far more common in women, but do occur in about 25% of men as well. They’re also more common in certain areas, such as:

• Abdomen and stomach
• Breasts
• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Upper arms
• Hips or outer/upper thigh areas

In particular, those who gain and lose weight significantly will be most prone to develop stretch marks. Rapid weight loss will make them more apparent, which is why pregnant women are among those who most commonly develop them.

Natural Ways to Reduce Stretch Marks

Stretch marks aren’t a major medical emergency and pose no real danger to your health. However, they can be unsightly and as such many wish to eliminate them. Treatments often focus on helping the body replenish the different fatty acids that cause the skin to regenerate, thus minimizing the appearance of the stretch marks. While it is generally best to focus on preventing stretch marks through more moderate weight gain and the use of essential oils, vitamin K creams, and other options, those with existing stretch marks can also reduce their prevalence in various ways.

Recipes to Help Stretch Marks

Essential oils are best used in a kind of ‘anti-stretch mark’ recipe. There are a couple of options:

• The Easy Stretch Mark Cream – Blend 4 ounces of raw shea butter with 10 to 15 drops of essential oil. Whip together well and use each night before bed. Shea butter is also excellent for reducing stretch marks, so this is one of the best and easiest methods.

• Make a Super-Stretch Mark Cream – Melt about 2 to 3 tablespoons of beeswax, 4 to 5 tablespoons of coconut oil, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of shea butter in a double boiler setup. Once it’s melted into liquid form, add your essential oil and stir well. Transfer to a mason jar and let it set up before using. Each of these ingredients can nourish the skin and contribute to fewer stretch marks.

• Make a DIY Massage Oil – Add essential oil to a carrier oil such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil and slowly rub it into the affected areas of skin.

The Best Essential Oils to use for Stretch Marks

1. Lavender – Lavender essential oil is one of the single most versatile essential oils available. It can benefit health in numerous ways, but it’s also effective at treating skin conditions and improving the skin’s health – including in the reduction of stretch marks.
2. Lemon– Lemon essential oil can help reduce stretch marks by replenishing the oils in the body that are used to rebuild skin.

3. Jasmine – Jasmine can help to reduce dry skin and balance the oils within it. Additionally, it can make skin more elastic, helping reduce stretch marks and scars.

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