Best oils to use for stretch marks during pregnancy

With the onset of pregnancy, hormonal background changes and rapid weight gain may lead to the appearance of stretch marks. After childbirth, the situation may become even worse. It’s a good idea to take care of your skin in advance. We will give you some advice on how to use oils for stretch marks during pregnancy. You can also learn about cider vinegar for stretch marks and other ways to get rid of stretch marks.

Stretch marks or striae are a skin defect caused by excessive stretching of the subcutaneous tissue. Such micro-traumas are most often formed during pregnancy and are localized on the abdomen, chest and thighs. Fresh stretch marks are pink or purple. It is worthwhile to understand that stretch marks are an analog of scars and it is almost impossible to completely get rid of them. Therefore, the best way is to prevent their appearance during pregnancy. Natural oils perfectly cope with this task if you use them systematically.

Which oil to choose?

The oil, which you are going to use against stretch marks on the skin during pregnancy, should be chosen very carefully: not every oil can be used in this period — some can be harmful to the health of the baby.

You can buy some ready-made formulas adapted for the skin of a pregnant woman: oils of the following brands — Weleda, Bubchen, Benars or Hipp Mamasanf. Many pregnant women use Johnsons Baby’s oil, originally developed for children’s skin.

Carefully read the information on the label and do not forget to look at the expiration date — if it is running out, do not buy the oil. If the oil is cheap, then, most likely, it contains surfactants and sodium lauryl sulfate, which destroy the natural lipid barrier on the skin. Over time, the skin may become dry and irritated.

Natural oils for stretch marks

Natural oils for stretch marks are much more effective. Following the recipe and the prescribed proportions, you can make home remedies for stretch marks.

Start using natural oils as early as possible and do not wait for the appearance of the first stretch marks.

Oils to use during pregnancy.

First trimester. Olive, coconut, jojoba and wheat germ oils.

Second trimester. Sesame, olive, neroli, lavender, orange, fir and tea tree oils

Third trimester. Аlmond, olive, linseed, sesame, and cocoa butter oils.

You can combine natural oils in a variety of compositions, depending on their properties.

Base (natural vegetable) oils can be used in pure form, and ethereal oils — only in diluted, otherwise there is a high risk of getting a chemical burn. The best option is to mix the two types of oils. Such fragrant compositions can significantly increase the elasticity of your skin, and activate the processes of cell regeneration. If you use oils in the form of compresses, during baths or massages, your skin will be provided with necessary nutrition and moisturizing.

Vegetable oils

The following variants of vegetable oils are a proven option for the prevention of stretch marks:

OLIVE. Olive oil is rich in all kinds of minerals, vitamins A, E, D, K, fatty acids. Olive oil successfully helps with stretch marks during pregnancy: it nourishes and intensively moisturizes the surface layers of the epidermis, helping them cope with stretching during intensive tissue growth. The oil has a positive effect on the general condition of the skin.

ALMOND. Almond oil is one of the best means for skin care during pregnancy. It is safe and effective. Enriched with a complex of vitamins A, E, F and B, as well as minerals, it activates protein synthesis in cells to maintain skin elasticity, restores water and fat balance in epidermal cells. Bioactive substances struggle with the friability of the skin, minimizing the formation of striae, and relieve irritation. Almond oil is used as an independent skin care product and does not lose its effectiveness when combined with other organic components. For example, almond oil with lavender is an excellent oil mixture that moisturizes and soothes the skin.

SEA BUCKTHORN. Sea-buckthorn oil is a real storehouse of nutrients: carotenoids, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids. The oil has a valuable wound-healing component, under the influence of which even long-lasting stretches can decrease. It has an antimicrobial effect and intensively moisturizes the skin.

COCONUT OIL. It is an effective prevention of stretch marks at any time of pregnancy. A large amount of Vitamin E in its composition perfectly softens the skin, protecting its structure from atrophy.

COCOA BUTTER OIL. A powerful antioxidant, helping to fight degenerative changes in skin tissues. The oil can be used alone without the addition of other oils and ethers. The oil regulates the water-lipid balance in skin cells, saturates them with vitamins and valuable biologically active substances.

WHEAT GERM OIL. The composition of the oil strengthens the processes of cell regeneration and improves the general condition of the skin.

This is a short overview of the most useful oils for stretch marks. However, the list can be easily supplemented with other oils: apricot, peach, jojoba, grape seed, shea, sesame and flaxseed. All of them contain valuable fatty acids and vitamins so necessary for the skin in the period of intensive tissue growth, and are safe during pregnancy.

Ethereal oils

Base organic oils with the addition of esters can repeatedly strengthen their action: after all, the most valuable property of ethereal extracts is the ability to deliver valuable substances without changes deep under the skin. Be careful: mix base oils with ethereal extracts — add two or three drops of ether in 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. You can also add ethereal oils into cream, yoghurt, cream or honey.

Best ethereal oils

• Immortelle promotes the renewal of epidermal cells.
• Extract from carrot seeds helps to quickly heal scarring, makes the skin strong, gives it tonus.
• Mirra heals in a short time.
• Mandarin and orange improve blood microcirculation.
• Geranium prevents dryness, helps to reduce fresh stretch marks, intensively nourishes the skin.

OILS forbidden during pregnancy.

Let’s also list those essential oils that are strictly forbidden during pregnancy:

• mint,
• chamomile,
• ginger

It is also dangerous to use parsley and basil, nutmeg and wormwood, juniper and fennel, cinnamon and rosemary, thyme and cedar, oregano and sage oils. They can cause bleeding and spontaneous contractions of the uterus.