During pregnancy or after it, stretch marks are a common worry, along with skin that feels dry or tight. Sweet almond oil is an oily ingredient often used in cosmetic skincare to nourish and soften the skin. Its use is cosmetic. The studies cited here do not allow us to conclude that it has any effect on scars or that it prevents stretch marks. This article covers what you can reasonably expect from it in five points: its cosmetic use, gentle massage, skin comfort, suppleness and skincare habits, and choosing the right oil. We also cover the precautions to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
An oily ingredient for cosmetic use
Sweet almond oil is used in skincare. A review article looks at its uses and properties (1). It does not establish that the oil has any effect on scars, including after a C-section, or prevents stretch marks. It should therefore be treated as a cosmetic product, not as a treatment.
The oil is often applied with a massage, and the studies on this need careful reading. One study (2) looked at women pregnant with their first child. It compared applying bitter almond oil with and without a 15-minute daily massage. Its findings cannot be applied to sweet almond oil. Another study (3) was an observational study of pregnant women in Italy. It recorded side effects linked to various herbal products, including local irritation after almond oil was applied to the skin. The association with premature labour in that study concerned chamomile and liquorice, and the article does not allow it to be attributed to almond oil. To be on the safe side, ask your doctor or midwife before massaging your bump during pregnancy.
Gentle massage, on unbroken skin only
If your doctor has no objection, apply a small amount of oil and massage gently, without rubbing hard. Only apply the oil to unbroken skin. Avoid wounds, recent scars (including a C-section scar that has not fully closed) and any red, irritated or inflamed areas. Review papers have looked at applying various plant oils to the skin (4). They do not provide sufficient evidence to attribute an anti-inflammatory effect to sweet almond oil. If itching is intense or persistent, or if your skin reacts, stop using the oil and speak to your doctor.
Comfort for skin that feels tight
During pregnancy or breastfeeding, skin can feel drier and tighter, partly because of weight gain and hormonal changes. As an oily substance, sweet almond oil can make dry skin feel more comfortable and softer to the touch. Some reviews on stretch marks list almond oil among the products that have been studied (5 and 6). These papers do not allow us to conclude that sweet almond oil prevents or reduces stretch marks, or that it changes the skin’s elasticity.
Skin suppleness and skincare habits
During pregnancy, skin can become drier and rougher. Setting aside a moment to look after it can add to your comfort.
Sweet almond oil contains fatty acids and vitamin E. Used as an emollient, it can help soften and smooth the surface of dry skin. It should not, however, be considered protection against stretch marks, which appear for many different reasons.
If you add it to your routine, keep things simple: use a small amount, apply it only to unbroken skin, and stop if it causes any discomfort.
Choosing the right oil
Check that the product is sweet almond oil intended for cosmetic use, and read the ingredients list. Almond oil comes from a tree nut. If you are allergic to tree nuts, or if you have any doubt, ask a medical professional before using it. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or midwife before starting a massage routine.
Sweet almond oil is an oily ingredient used in cosmetics. It can make dry skin feel more comfortable and softer. The studies cited do not allow us to conclude that it has any effect on scars or that it prevents or reduces stretch marks. Use a small amount, only on unbroken skin, and do not massage a recent scar or an inflamed area. Ask your doctor or midwife before any massage during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are allergic to tree nuts, or if you are unsure, seek advice before use.
Our range also includes Cellublue Stretch Mark Oil. Its product name does not mean it has been shown to prevent stretch marks. Check the ingredients before use. If you have an allergy, particularly to tree nuts, ask a medical professional for advice. During pregnancy or breastfeeding, also check with your doctor or midwife.
The massage oil that helps prevent stretch marks from appearing*, during pregnancy and beyond
*User test on 21 volunteers over 3 weeks, based on participants' feedback.
- Why does it work?
Sources and references
(1) The uses and properties of almond oil. Ahmad Z. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. Volume 16, Issue 1, February 2010, pages 10-12.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388109000772?via%3Dihub
(2) The effect of bitter almond oil and massaging on striae gravidarum in primiparaous women.Timur Taşhan S1, Kafkasli A. Journal of Clinical Nursing. June 2012, 21(11-12): 1570-6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04087.x
(3) Use of herbal products among 392 Italian pregnant women: focus on pregnancy outcome.Cuzzolin L, Francini-Pesenti F, Verlato G, Joppi M, Baldelli P, Benoni G. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. November 2010, 19(11):1151-8. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pds.2040
(4) Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils.Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. December 2017, 27;19(1). https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/1/70
(5) Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.Ud-Din S, McGeorge D, Bayat A. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. February 2016, 30(2):211-22. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.13223#jdv13223-bib-0026
(6) Striae Gravidarum – Etiology, prevalence and treatment.Rabinerson D, Melzer H, Gabbay-Ben-Ziv R. Harefuah. December 2018, 157(12):787-790. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30582313
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Useful categories: Stretch Mark Care, Stretch Marks.
