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 OilHelps keep skin elastic and firm to aid in the prevention of stretch marks, with wheat germ, jojoba and arnica. |
 Erbaviva Stretch Mark OilSoftens, protects and moisturizes with nourishing wheat germ oil blended with rose and carrot seed essential oils. |
 Erbaviva Stretch Mark CreamFormulated 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 BalmA 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 OilHeals, 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. |
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Key ingredient to look for
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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.
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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.
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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.
