Which oil is best to reduce stretch marks? Check out the most effective skin care & ingredients

Any stretch-mark sufferers here? You're not alone! The proneness to stretch marks is a very common problem affecting even 70% of women and (that's interesting) 40% of men. One way of fighting these unwanted guests involves massaging the body with oils. Do you know that natural oils are cut out for treating stretch marks?

A spoon of vegetable oil per day is said to be enough for skin to have all essential nutrients, be healthy and keep stretch marks at bay.

Still, let's explain what stretch marks actually are first. This common problem isn't so easy to define. Do they always look the same? How are they formed? Most of all, how to fight them?

Our skin's biggest enemies

Stretch mark is a kind of a scar which appears when the skin stretches too fast. It's little wonder then that it usually affects pregnant women, obesity sufferers and sportspeople building their muscles. Elastin and collagen fibers - responsible for keeping skin elastic - are broken. The body areas that are the most exposed to stretch marks include belly, buttocks, thighs, breasts and (that's a surprise) back and shoulders.

There are two phases of the formation of stretch marks:

1. inflammatory phase: skin gets tense, starts itching and burning to finally crack due to the tension (not on the surface), which explains the redness and swelling
2. atrophic phase: irritations give place to fading cracks formed due to damage to skin's structural proteins. That's what we call stretch marks.

Causes of stretch marks

Too rapid skin stretching is the prior cause - the skin can't manage the tension, which causes damage to the dermis. That's why the most popular triggers mentioned include pregnancy, obesity and rapid increase of muscle mass. Oblong lines may also affect adolescents’ skin who grow too fast. 

On the other hand, we can't draw a conclusion that e.g. pregnancy causes stretch marks. The direct cause is lack of skin's elasticity and weak collagen and elastin fibers, which might be triggered by:

• unfavorable hormonal changes.
• diet lacking sufficient dose of vitamins and minerals.
• too much stress.
• various illnesses.
• genetic predisposition.
• excessive, permanent skin dryness.
• mechanical damage to skin.

Will the stretch marks get you?

Are you exposed to the occurence of stretch marks? Who is the most likely to experience these unwanted scars spoiling the appearance (and the mood)?

It is estimated that 9 in 10 moms-to-be are prone to the occurence of stretch marks. Still, it doesn't mean that each of them will surely have her skin decorated by the lines after giving birth. You can prevent these imperfections by introducing the right skin care e.g. making use of vegetable oils.

Pregnant women don't make up the only group of people who should be worried about possible stretch marks. Sportspeople are the ones too. Stretch marks are very common among bodybuilders whose muscle mass is rapidly increased.

It's worth knowing that adolescents and women going through menopause belong to the risk group too. In both cases, the unfavorable hormonal changes are to be blamed whereas in the first case it comes along with the faster growth.

Rules for anti-stretch mark routine

We can protect ourselves against the marks by following a few simple rules in daily skin care:

RULE NO. 1 Once you spot some worrying changes, act immediately. Fresh stretch marks are easier to eliminate e.g. by using oils or specialist products.

RULE NO. 2 Keep your body - so skin as well - moisturized and nourished from within and on the outside. Drinking water, balanced diet and supplementation reduce the risk of stretch marks.

RULE NO. 3 Don't forget the benefits of a regular massage. Preventivally, you can perform it while rubbing oils into skin or using a scrub.

However, if visible stretch marks have already made themselves comfortable on your skin, it's not a lost cause! Simply use one of the ways to reduce the scars and get back skin's elasticity. Even though it requires more effort than prevention activities, you’re very likely to succeed.

Do you know how to get rid of stretch marks?

Reduction of stretch marks is a tough and lengthy process. They won’t magically disappear. What are the remedies for stretch marks?

Having stretch marks removed in a beauty salon

Stretch marks are one of the most common triggers making us go to a beauty parlor. Currently, we can choose between various treatments to repair the skin and improve its appearance. The most popular anti-stretch mark procedures include mesotherapy, cellucare, chemical peel, microdermabrasion, carboxytherapy, radio-frequency skin tightening and fraction laser. Specialists say that combination therapy (using all of the procedures) gives the best effects.

Home ways to reduce visibility of stretch marks

You can get stretch mark-free, smooth skin at home. How to get round to it? You can effortlessly do a series of treatments to minimize the marks in your own bathroom. Using exfoliators (ideally coffee-based scrubs known for skin tightening effect) on a regular basis and moisturizing lotions comes useful. Nourished and hydrated skin looks better. Remember also about regularly-performed skin-firming massages e.g. using a glove or massaging tool in order to boost blood flow and skin's bounce. Home baths enriched with sea salt and oils are of great help too.

Natural beauty oils are hands down the best to reduce stretch marks, delivering essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. They smooth out, increase elasticity, improve microcirculation and enhance repair. That's what makes them a top choice among moms-to-be.

TOP LIST: The best oils to treat stretch marks

Olive oil mixed with lemon juice and a few drops of vitamin E is said to be the best remedy for stretch marks. The truth is it's not the only blend or oil that you can make use of. What are the best oils to reduce stretch marks? Check them now!

ALMOND OIL

For anti-stretch mark routine or removal, cold-pressed, unrefined almond oil is a sure favorite. It's the most popular choice among women planning pregnancy and expecting a baby: applying it regularly to skin areas which are the most exposed to stretch marks helps revitalize skin and add elasticity, as well as improve the natural density of skin.

A high-quality sweet almond oil, such as 100% organic, natural Nanoil Sweet Almond Oil:

• increases moisture levels and delivers nutrients to skin.
• enhances production of collagen and elastin.
• repairs skin and stimulates cell renewal process.
• ensures more elasticity and bounce.
• brightens discolored skin and scars such as stretch marks.
• smoothes out skin, making it soft and radiant.

ROSE OIL

It's an equally popular choice for treating stretch marks. Rose oil is light and non-greasy, and thus it's well-absorbed. By working from within, it increases skin's resilience and elasticity. You should know that rose oil is a source of trans-retinoic acid (vit. A) which is known for its intensive repairing effect.

ARGAN OIL

A natural, cold-pressed argan oil makes a very good anti-stretch mark beauty oil. In this case, the one from the Nanoil line is recommended as it holds 100% of nutrients found in argan nuts. Thanks to the nutritional ingredients, it repairs, has antioxidant effect, boosts elasticity and protects skin against factors that could make the stretch marks worse. What's more, argan oil stimulates metabolism of cells and triggers production of collagen. All you need to do is apply argan oil on a regular basis, rubbing it into skin areas exposed to stretch marks (use circular motions).

MACADAMIA OIL

If we notice first stretch marks, we can go for macadamia nut oil e.g. Nanoil. It's a natural cosmetic mostly made of valuable fatty acids, incl. palmitic acid which has antioxidant properties. Rubbed into skin, macadamia oil helps restore elasticity and has anti-cellulite effect, which hundreds of women swear by.

COCONUT OIL

Easily-available and believed to solve nearly every skin problem. Coconut oil is full of vitamins (B, C, E) and minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium) thanks to which it improves elasticity and nourishes. It also acts as a protective shield which locks in moisture, which is extremely important for skin affected by stretch marks.

WHEAT SPROUT OIL

It's not so popular but it's surely effective when reducing stretch marks. Wheat oil enhances repair and firms up skin thanks to being high in lecithin and vitamin of youthness (vit. E). When it's picked, it's usually used for massage.

LAVENDER OIL

Lavender essential oil is the last oil in our list featuring anti-stretch mark oils women recommend to each other. When it's used carefully - in small amounts and combined with other oils, it stimulates skin microcirculation, which, in turn, ensures elasticity boost. Use it as addition to homemade or ready products for stretch marks.