Stretch marks, those harmless yet vexing lines that commonly appear on your breasts, thighs and belly are often caused by weight gain, rapid growth and pregnancy. Any type of growth in the body causes the skin fibers to stretch, resulting in reddish or purplish lines that later heal and become a shiny skin color. In some cases, the stress hormone cortisol, may also contribute to the appearance of stretch marks as it causes the skin to lose its elasticity.

Most women embrace these tiger stripes with open arms, but if you not one of them, take heart. While there is no natural remedy to completely eliminate stretch marks, including a combination of self-care techniques into your routine can help abate their appearance.

1. Try essential oils

Essential oils are all the rage these days but did you know they have uses beyond aromatherapy. Some excellent examples of essential oils that your skin will love include lavender, tangerine, frankincense and sandalwood essential oils. Not to mention, they smell absolutely amazing!

However, note that to safely use essential oils on your skin, it is vital that you dilute them with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, almond oil or argan oil, at a 2:1 ratio. You can also mix them into DIY shea butter or cocoa butter lotions.

Avoid using frankincense essential oil during pregnancy and while nursing as studies show it may stimulate premature labor or menstruation.

2. Hydrate areas prone to stretch marks with aloe vera

Aloe vera is a key component in numerous natural skin care products because of its intense hydrating, cooling and healing properties. In addition, aloe vera gel has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and using it on the regular may help fade stretch marks over time.

When using aloe vera gel, your best bet is to acquire it from fresh aloe vera stalks instead of a commercially sold packaged product.

3. Vitamin E oil

Whether you’re expecting their arrival or already have them, applying vitamin E oil on the affected or the area prone to it can help. Try to get your hands on the real deal, as some products can be diluted with cheap oils to reduce costs. Pure vitamin E oil can help moisturize your skin, keeping it elastic, supple and less susceptible to stretch marks. In addition, it promotes faster cell turnover, keeping skin healthy and glowing.

4. Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliating your skin 1-2 times a week helps slough away dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin, ensuring that your skin remains smooth, healthy and receptive to nutrients from your skincare products. Regular exfoliation also supports cellular renewal, which can even out your skin tone and even fade your stretch marks significantly.

You can make your own scrub with a combination of honey, coconut oil, lemon juice and sugar. Other excellent exfoliants include used coffee grounds (which may also reduce the appearance of cellulite!) and ground flax seeds.

5. Don’t forget to moisturize

Keeping your skin moisturized and supple is critical if you’re looking to fade your stretch marks or improve your overall skin health.

Use a rich moisturizer right after you shower as the steam from your shower opens your pores and makes it more receptive to your lotion. In addition, moisturizing right after will ensure it locks in the moisture, without giving your skin the chance to dry out.

To DIY a thick moisturizer, try using natural ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil and essential oils for best results.

6. Hydrate from the inside out

Keeping your skin smooth and moisturized is not limited to how to take care of it from the outside, but how you nourish it from the inside as well. To keep skin plump, elastic and less prone to stretch marks and wrinkles, aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, along with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as they are packed with water, enzymes and antioxidants vital for optimum skin health.

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