11 DIY Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

Last Updated: April 13, 2018

Stretch marks may not be a serious health risk, but they are embarrassing. They appear most frequently on the abdomen, thighs, breasts, buttocks, and upper arms when skin expands rapidly due to weight gain or pregnancy. Stretch marks will come when connective tissues stretch beyond their flexibility.

Stretch marks form in the middle layer of the skin. At first, they may be purple or red in color, but they eventually fade to a silvery white. Regardless of their hue, no one wants them around. You’re about to learn 11 safe, natural remedies ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks at home.

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks:

These methods are just as effective as commercial products, but they’re far less expensive.

1. Sugar

Sugar exfoliates skin to remove dead cells, and it contains essential fatty acids that moisturize skin and help prevent more stretch marks. It also increases blood flow to the stretch marks.

 Process:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of raw sugar with few drops of almond oil and lemon juice.
• Stir well and apply on stretch marks.
• Massage into skin for 10 minutes.
• Repeat daily before taking a shower for a month.
• Note: Mix 1 tablespoon of raw sugar with water to make a paste and follow the same process

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and natural healing properties. It soothes and repairs scarred skin. Aloe vera is rich in essential nutrients that help to heal scars, and it reduces inflammation.

Process 1:

• Slice open a fresh aloe vera leaf.
• Squeeze to extract gel.
• Rub gel into scarred skin.
• Leave for few minutes and then rinse with warm water.
• Repeat daily.

 Process 2:

• Mix ¼ cup of fresh aloe vera gel with oil from 10 vitamin E capsules and 5 vitamin A capsules.
• Massage into stretch marks and leave on until completely absorbed.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.
• Repeat regularly to get rid of stretch marks.

3. Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, D, and E. It helps to soften the skin and reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks while preventing new ones from forming.

Process 1:

• Take a hot shower to cleanse skin and open pores for better absorption.
• Rub few drops of olive oil into scarred skin in circular motion.
• It helps to i improve the blood circulation and reduces the stretch marks.
• Leave on until dry.
• Repeat twice a day.

 Process 2:

• Mix few drops of olive oil with a few drops of vinegar and water.
• Apply to stretch marks before bed and leave on overnight.
• This smoothes, hydrates, and exfoliates skin.
• Repeat regularly.

4. Lemon

Lemon exfoliates to remove dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of stretch marks, and it’s also a natural bleaching agent.

Process 1:

• Cut a fresh lemon in half.
• Squeeze to extract juice.
• Massage juice into stretch marks, rubbing in circular motions.
• Leave on 10 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water.
• Repeat daily to lighten stretch marks.

 Process 2:

• Mix equal quantities lemon juice and cucumber juice.
• Apply to stretch marks and let dry.
• Rinse with water.
• Repeat daily.

 Process 3:

• Mix ½ cup of cocoa butter with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
• Apply to stretch marks, rubbing in circular motions.
• Allow to dry, then rinse with water.
• Repeat daily.

5. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is an emollient which helps to soften and smooth skin. It breaks up scar tissue and prevents new scars from forming.

Process 1:

• Massage cocoa butter into scarred skin for 10-15 minutes.
• Leave on.
• Repeat twice daily for one or two months

.Process 2:

• Mix ½ cup of cocoa butter, 1 tablespoon wheat germ oil, 2 teaspoons grated beeswax, 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil, and 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil.
• Heat this mixture until beeswax is completely melted.
• Let cool and store in jar for future use.
• Apply to stretch marks 2 times daily to reduce the appearance.
• Keep the jar in refrigerator to use next time.

6. Egg Whites

Egg whites are rich in proteins and amino acids which help to repair stretched skin and make stretch marks less visible.

Process:

• Separate the whites from two eggs.
• Whip with fork.
• Apply to stretch marks and leave on 10-15 minutes.
• Rinse with water and pat dry.
• Massage with olive oil to moisturize and improves the quality of collagen to repair the stretch marks.
• Repeat daily for at least two weeks to see the results.

7. Coconut

Coconut moisturizes skin, helping it to maintain elasticity and suppleness. It also contains anti-oxidants that fight against free radicals and boost the immune system.

Process 1:

• Massage coconut oil into stretch marks until it is completely absorbed.
• Leave on and repeat 3 times daily for at least 15 days.

 Process 2:

• Mix few drops of coconut oil with few drops of tea tree oil.
• Apply to stretch marks.
• Repeat 3 times daily.
• You can also use Shea butter, baby oil and other essential oils like avocado oil, emu oil, etc. in place of coconut oil to get rid of the stretch marks.

8. Coffee

Coffee contains a chemical which helps to lighten scars and tighten skin.

Process:

• Grind coffee beans by adding enough warm water to make a paste.
• You can also use coffee ground directly but don’t add water.
• Mix it with aloe vera gel.
• Massage into stretch marks for 3-5 minutes.
• Wipe it with a warm cloth or towel for at least 15 – 20 minutes.
• Wash off with water and apply olive oil or moisturizer.
• Repeat daily for 1 month.

9. Alfalfa

Alfalfa leaves contain amino acids, vitamins E and K, and other essential nutrients, all of which help to restore skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

 Process:

• Mix alfalfa powder with chamomile oil to make a paste.
• Massage into stretch marks for 5 minutes.
• Leave on 10-15 minutes.
• Rinse with water.
• Repeat 2-3 times daily for at least a week to observe the change.

10. Potatoes

Raw potatoes contain vitamins and minerals that accelerate skin cell regeneration.

Process:

• Slice a potato.
• Rub one slice over stretch marks for 5 minutes.
• Take another slice and continue the process several minutes.
• Allow juice to dry on skin.
• Rinse with warm water.
• Repeat 3 times daily to get rid of stretch marks.

11. Castor Oil

Castor oil is one of the oldest and most effective remedies for nearly all types of skin problems.

Process:

• Massage a few drops of castor oil into stretch marks for 10-15 minutes.
• Cover with clean, dry cotton cloth.
• Put a heating pad over the cloth and leave on 30 minutes.
• Rinse with water.
• If castor oil is too thick, mix it with olive oil or almond oil.
• Repeat daily for at least 1 month.

Tips for Reducing the Appearance of Stretch Marks:

• Drink 10 glasses of water a day. Staying hydrated helps skin maintain moisture and elasticity.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages.
• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins A, C, D, and E such as carrots, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, milk, eggs, fishes, nuts, meats, fiber rich foods, dairy products, avocados, sunflower seeds, blue berries, etc..
• Eat a low calorie diet to avoid weight gain.
• If you plan to lose weight, do it gradually, not suddenly.
• Use combinations of orange oil, vitamin E oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and cocoa and Shea butters to enhance results.
• Use a brush or other exfoliater on dry skin to remove dead cells and detoxify skin.
• Get regular exercise in order to maintain a healthy weight.
• Massage grapefruit extract into stretch marks to increase blood circulation and promote collagen production.
• Always keep skin moisturized to prevent and lessen the stretch marks.
• Do not scratch stretch marks.

Have you tried any of these home remedies for stretch marks? Tell us which one worked best for you!

Rajee Datti

Hi everyone, this is Rajee!

I live the beautiful city of Baltimore, where my husband works.

I’m from India. I have been visiting India on and off for past few years and my mom was an inspiration for me to start this site. She has a wealth of knowledge on home remedies for a large number of health problems, and we grew up in an environment where frequent visits to the doctor just wasn’t logistically or financially feasible.

Despite this, she managed to raise a family of healthy kids, and my goal here at Home Remedies for Life is to pass on some of her knowledge of natural remedies.