Skin Care Solutions for Stretch Marks

Condition overview

Stretch marks, also known as striae, are pink, purple or red streaks that appear on the stomach, thighs and other areas of the body.
These scars are caused by the physical stretching of the dermis (middle) layer of the skin, usually due to weight gain, growth spurts in adolescents or during pregnancy.
Widespread stretch marks can also be the result of Cushing's syndrome or a similar adrenal gland disease. If you think you could be suffering from Cushing's syndrome, please consult your physician immediately.
Treatments can help fade the appearance of stretch marks over time, but it's impossible to completely remove them.

Most often caused by physical stretching of the dermis (middle) layer of the skin.

Product recommendations

Pregnancy Specific

Weleda Pregnancy Body Oil

Helps keep skin elastic and firm to aid in the prevention of stretch marks, with wheat germ, jojoba and arnica.

Erbaviva Stretch Mark Oil

Softens, protects and moisturizes with nourishing wheat germ oil blended with rose and carrot seed essential oils.

Erbaviva Stretch Mark Cream

Formulated with beneficial shea butter, sea buckthorn and feverfew extracts combined with rose and carrot seed essential oils to help protect skin.

General

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm

A concentrated blend of cocoa butter and shea butter, along with other protective ingredients, help heal present stretch marks or prevent new ones from appearing.

Weleda's Blackthorn Body Oil

Heals, firms and helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Made from blackthorn blossom and birch leaf extracts blended into a hydrating sunflower seed and jojoba oil base.

View more recommendations (2)

Key ingredient to look for

Birch

Long known for its purifying and detoxifying effects, birch leaf extract fortifies skin with a high level of tannins, flavonoids and saponins. Also helps against muscle soreness and bruises, promotes the excretion of fluids and increases metabolic activity.
Shea

Rich in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids along with vitamin E and carotene, shea softens and smoothes skin. It also protects against dryness, environmental damage and accelerates the healing of superficial wounds and irritations.
Wheat Germ Oil

Known to help restore skin, refine its texture and keep the connective tissue healthy, antioxidant-rich wheat germ contains high amounts of vitamin E, lecithin and essential fatty acids.

Alternative recommendations

There is no way to completely prevent stretch marks, especially during pregnancy.
By maintaining a healthy weight through a good diet and consistent exercise the risk of getting stretch marks can be reduced.
Using a cream or oil, like the ones mentioned above, can help fade or even prevent marks, but they can still occur.