Stretch marks can be a source of insecurity, especially in summer when swimsuit season arrives. They often appear following a pregnancy or rapid weight gain.
Initially red or purple in colour, they gradually fade into white streaks over time.
They are harder to fade at that stage, but with a little perseverance, all is not lost! Discover our 5 homemade grandmother’s remedies for stretch marks: an apricot mask, an egg white mask, a sugar and olive oil scrub, aloe vera, and rosehip oil with brown sugar.
How do you use grandmother’s remedies for stretch marks?
The home remedies below rely on simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen or can easily find: apricots, egg whites, sugar, olive oil, aloe vera, rosehip oil and brown sugar. They all have one thing in common. You need to use them regularly and patiently, especially on white stretch marks that have been there for a long time.
Each recipe has its own instructions: how long to leave it on, whether to rinse with lukewarm or cold water, and whether to use it daily or weekly. Follow the directions given for each one in the sections below.
Apricot mask
Apricot is a fruit rich in vitamin C and potassium. It is a popular choice for skincare.
Used as an exfoliant, it leaves skin feeling softer, while clearing away dead skin cells.
Easy to make, the apricot mask is a grandmother’s remedy that often comes up for stretch marks.
Ingredients:
- 2 or 3 apricots
Preparation:
Cut the apricots in half. Remove the stones, then mash the fruit to obtain a smooth paste.
How to use:
Apply the apricot paste directly onto your stretch marks and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat once a day — or twice for more established marks — for at least one month.
Egg white mask
Egg whites are rich in protein.
Applied as a mask, it leaves a feeling of tightness on the skin as it dries.
The egg white mask is therefore a simple natural remedy to try on unsightly streaks.
Ingredients:
- 1 to 2 egg whites
Preparation:
Separate the egg whites and pour them into a bowl. Whisk gently with a fork until a light foam begins to form.
How to use:
First, cleanse the area where your stretch marks are located with water. Then apply a thick layer of egg whites.
A make-up brush can be handy for this step. Leave on until the whites are completely dry (approximately 15 minutes).
Rinse with cold water. Finish by moisturising your skin with a cream. Use this natural remedy daily for a minimum of two weeks.
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- Aloe Vera in an ultra-concentrated formula: the plant for skin suppleness, in a dropper bottle
- Three to four drops into a dollop of cream, mixed in the palm of your hand, morning, evening or both
- The same routine as usual, with no extra tube
Sugar and olive oil scrub
Fatty substances nourish the skin and leave it feeling suppler and more comfortable.
Olive oil is therefore a popular stretch mark remedy. Rich in vitamin E, it has long been used to nourish and soften the skin.
Applied regularly, it leaves skin feeling more comfortable, both on existing stretch marks and on areas prone to them.
Opt for a virgin, organic olive oil obtained by cold first pressing.
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Meanwhile, a sugar-based scrub is a natural way to slough away dead skin cells and leave your skin beautifully soft.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
Preparation:
Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
How to use:
Massage the scrub onto your stretch marks. Leave to dry for a few minutes, then rinse with water.
Repeat once a week.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant with a wealth of uses in skincare. Its water-rich gel is easy to apply to the skin, including on areas with stretch marks.
Ingredients:
- Aloe vera leaves
Preparation:
Peel a leaf by removing its outer skin and extract the pulp.
How to use:
Gently massage the gel onto the affected area using circular movements until fully absorbed. Leave on for approximately 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Repeat this massage once a day.
You can also purchase ready-made aloe vera gel. However, where possible, favour using freshly extracted pulp from the leaves.
Rosehip oil and brown sugar
Rich in fatty acids, vitamin A and antioxidants, rosehip oil is nourishing and a popular choice for caring for areas prone to stretch marks.
It is also used on existing marks.
Before using it for the first time, do a patch test on a small area of skin.
Choose a pure, virgin oil, preferably organic, to avoid any chemical ingredients. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor or a healthcare professional before using it.
A brown sugar scrub is also a great way to exfoliate the skin. Making your own at-home peel couldn’t be simpler!
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of rosehip oil
- 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
Preparation:
Combine the two ingredients until you obtain a smooth, even paste.
How to use:
On clean, damp skin, take a small amount of the scrub and massage it onto the affected area using gentle, circular movements. Avoid pressing too hard, as this may irritate your skin. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Use this scrub one to three times a week.
With a little patience, these time-honoured tips will help you look after your skin. That said, it is easier to care for your skin before stretch marks appear than to fade them once they have set in. So make sure you nourish and moisturise your skin properly every day, for example with a stretch mark oil.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you get rid of stretch marks in a few days?
No, natural remedies take patience. For example, allow at least one month of use for the apricot mask and a minimum of two weeks for the egg white mask. Older white stretch marks are also harder to fade than red or purple ones.
How do you use aloe vera for stretch marks?
Remove the outer skin from a leaf to extract the pulp. Gently massage the gel onto the area in circular movements until fully absorbed. Leave on for about 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Do this once a day. Shop-bought gel is an option, but fresh pulp is preferable.
Which natural remedy should I choose for stretch marks?
It comes down to personal preference. You could try an apricot or egg white mask, a sugar and olive oil scrub, aloe vera gel, or a rosehip oil and brown sugar scrub. Consistency matters most. Follow the instructions for each recipe and avoid rubbing too hard when using a scrub.
Can I use these remedies during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant, ask your doctor or a healthcare professional before using any of these remedies, including plant oils. They can advise you based on your situation.
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Useful categories: Stretch Mark Plants, Stretch Mark Care.
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