Pregnancy My Pregnant Body 9 Natural Stretch Mark Treatments That Have Science to Back Them Up Stretch marks are an annoying and unavoidable side effect of pregnancy. These pinkish streaks show up around six or seven months of gestation, and they usually stick around after your little one is born. Some women turn to expensive, chemical-laden creams to banish stretch marks on their stomach, hips, and breasts. But did you know that natural remedies can work just as well? Here are nine natural stretch mark treatments to buy or DIY By Nicole Harris Nicole Harris Instagram Nicole Harris is the Editor at Parents. She joined the team in 2018 as a Staff Writer and was promoted to SEO Editor in 2021. She now covers everything from children's health to parenting trends. Nicole's writing has appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, Good Housekeeping, The Knot, BobVila.com, and other publications. A graduate of Syracuse University, Nicole currently lives in New Jersey with her husband. our editorial guidelines Updated on January 11, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Monning27/Shutterstock 01 of 09 Coconut Oil New Africa/Shutterstock Coconut oil's fatty acids easily absorb into the skin. It's also anti-inflammatory and encourages collagen production, which will speed up stretch mark recovery. How To Use: Thoroughly rub coconut oil (such as Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil; $10 for 15 oz) onto stretch marks. No need to wipe off this natural ingredient afterwards! 02 of 09 Aloe Vera New Africa / Shutterstock The stalky green leaves of aloe vera store water and nutrients. These components contribute to aloe vera's healing properties, as well as its ability to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. How To Use: If you have an aloe vera plant at home, break off one of the stalks and rub the gooey insides on your stretch marks. Don't rinse off the residue. Alternately, you can buy aloe vera gel (such as Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel; $20 for 12 oz) and rub it onto your stretch marks once a day. 4 Signs You Might Get Stretch Marks During Pregnancy 03 of 09 Cocoa Butter Courtesy of Amazon. Derived from cocoa beans, super-hydrating cocoa butter seeps deep into the skin, allowing it to retain moisture. This will fade the appearance of stretch marks over time. How To Use: Apply a generous amount of cocoa butter (like Unrefined Cocoa Butter by Better Shea Butter; $19 for 16 oz) to your stretch marks and massage into the skin. Do this once or twice per day—especially after showering. How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy 04 of 09 Egg Whites Hello I'm Nik/Unsplash Thanks to their amino acids and proteins, egg whites can regenerate stretched-out skin. How To Use: Whisk two egg whites with a fork. Apply the foamy whites to your skin, let them dry, and then rinse them off. Follow up with a layer of moisturizer or olive oil. Repeat this process every day (or several times per week) to see results. 05 of 09 Lemon Juice Peter Ardito; Styling by Suzanne Lenzer You probably know that lemon juice can stain your countertops and fabrics. But these acidic fruits can also "bleach" stretch marks from pregnancy. How To Use: Soak a cotton ball in the juice of a lemon, then let it sit on your skin for about ten minutes. If you do this regularly, the natural acids of the lemon juice will lighten stretch marks. 06 of 09 Sugar The fine grains of sugar work as a natural exfoliant. Scrubbing away dead skin cells can reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and it also promotes healthy blood circulation (with means increased healing power!) How To Use: Make a homemade sugar scrub to combat pregnancy-induced stretch marks. Combine one cup of sugar with one tablespoon of the following ingredients: honey (for moisturizing and tightening), olive oil (for moisturizing and elasticity), and lemon juice (for lightening). Scrub into your skin for several minutes, then rinse with water. Repeat one to three times per week. Stretch Mark Creams: What Works, What Doesn't 07 of 09 Olive Oil Olive oil contains plenty of antioxidants and vitamin E. If you apply the moisturizing substance to your skin regularly, you may bid adieu to stretch marks over time. How To Use: Grab your olive oil from the kitchen cabinet. Rub it onto your stretch marks and let your skin absorb the moisture. Leave it on overnight, or wash off with lukewarm water after 20-30 minutes. Also consider warming the olive oil before application to improve blood circulation. Stretch Marks Are Beautiful, And This Artist Proves That 08 of 09 Argan Oil Courtesy of Amazon. Argan oil contains vitamin E, vitamin A, fatty acids, and other nutrients that make skin more supple and less inflamed. That's why it's ideal for minimizing the appearance of stretch marks from pregnancy. How To Use: Once a day, massage a few drops of argan oil (like InstaNatural Organic Argan Oil; $17 for 4 oz) into freshly-washed skin. 09 of 09 Turmeric Courtesy of Amazon. When ingested, turmeric has plenty of benefits for pregnant women, including the ability to decrease swelling and inflammation. (Check out Golde turmeric-based products here). It turns out that curcumin—the active ingredient in this yellow spice—can also treat stretch marks when applied to the skin. How To Use: Mix turmeric powder or crushed turmeric root into water, lemon juice, or coconut oil to form a paste. Apply on stretch marks once or twice a day. Is Turmeric Safe During Pregnancy? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit