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stretch mark salve recipe
  • Beauty

DIY Pregnancy Stretch Mark Salve

Katie WellsMay 19, 2021
Reading Time: 5 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » DIY Pregnancy Stretch Mark Salve
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Stretch Mark Salve: Why Do We Need It?+−
    • Can You Actually Remove Stretch Marks?
  • Ingredients for the Best Stretch Mark Cream+−
    • Coconut Oil
    • Apricot Kernel Oil
    • Shea and Cocoa Butter
    • Rosehip Seed Oil
    • Calendula and Ginger
    • Essential Oils for Stretch Marks
  • Homemade Stretch Mark Cream
  • Homemade Stretch Mark Salve Recipe

Oh, stretch marks… I got stretch marks with my first pregnancy and have since gotten rid of them, even through five more pregnancies. Better yet, I haven’t gotten any new ones! I think it’s largely due to a healthy diet and lifestyle, but today I’m also sharing my stretch mark salve moisturizer I make.

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade a second of motherhood for better abs, but just because I earned my mama stripes doesn’t mean I want to keep them!

Aside from pregnancy, this salve is great for nourishing skin during weight gain or weight loss for any reason.

Stretch Mark Salve: Why Do We Need It?

While it’s often blamed on genetics (and there’s some truth to this), other things contribute to stretch marks. When skin grows and stretches rapidly, like during puberty, severe weight gain, or pregnancy, stretch marks are often the result.

According to Mayo Clinic, higher levels of cortisol also have a negative impact on our skin tone and weakens elastin fibers in the skin. (Here’s how I got my cortisol back under control.)

Can You Actually Remove Stretch Marks?

While there isn’t a DIY stretch mark cream that will magically erase them, it can help fade stretch marks. Over the years I’ve found several key things that worked for me to fade my “tiger stripes”.

  • Consume lots of grass-fed collagen and gelatin to help skin repair, rebuild, and maintain elasticity. Homemade bone broth, gelatin and collagen powder are all good sources
  • I’ve noticed a big difference in skin firmness since using red light therapy! Even my C-section scar is fading the more I use it.
  • Get your daily dose, of vitamins that is. Healthy fats for fat-soluble vitamins, along with vitamin C and sun exposure for vitamin D help skin repair from stretch marks. Read more about my approach to a skin-healthy diet for pregnancy here.

Ingredients for the Best Stretch Mark Cream

There are a few key ingredients that have a proven track record when it comes to fading scars and stretch marks. A good stretch mark salve also helps keep skin supple as it stretches during pregnancy to accommodate baby. Here’s a breakdown of why I chose each ingredient and what it does to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Coconut Oil

Oh let me count the ways… Coconut oil gets a lot of use around our house, from toothpaste to hair treatments, to skincare. It’s also helpful in this stretch mark removal cream. Coconut oil can also help prevent stretch marks by helping skin grow without tearing.

Don’t have any virgin coconut oil on hand? You can substitute equal parts shea butter and liquid carrier oil (like sweet almond or olive oil).

Apricot Kernel Oil

This isn’t an oil I use as often as coconut oil, but I really like it in this DIY stretch mark salve recipe. Apricot kernel oil is high in the antioxidant vitamin E and supports the skin’s protective barrier. It’s really high in linoleic acid to nourish skin and is a light, faster absorbing oil.

If you don’t have any apricot kernel oil on hand, then sweet almond oil or grapeseed can also be used.

Shea and Cocoa Butter

Long term use of shea butter helps soften and strengthen skin. It’s been used for many years medicinally, including in wound care. My favorite part about shea is how it provides skin with what it needs to produce collagen for supple, strong skin.

Cocoa butter is harder than shea butter but has a lot of the same benefits. This butter helps prevent moisture loss from skin and is traditionally used to both prevent and get rid of stretch marks. It’s very moisturizing and nourishing for dry skin.

Both shea butter and cocoa butter have unique properties and can’t totally replace each other. That said if you only have one or the other you can still make this recipe. If replacing the cocoa butter with shea butter though use a little less since it’s harder.

If you’re using just shea butter, then a little beeswax will help firm up the homemade stretch mark cream.

Rosehip Seed Oil

While some may say it’s better than botox for wrinkles, rosehip seed oil is also great for stretch marks. Rosehip seed oil is really high in vitamin A, C, and E to promote healthy collagen and skin cell formation. Because it’s slightly drying, it helps balance out the heavier feel of the butters and coconut oil in this stretch mark salve.

Calendula and Ginger

Yes, it’s totally possible to just use oil and butters, but why not infuse them with the benefits of herbs? Calendula is great for all things skin-related and helps stimulate collagen production.

Ginger is known to increase circulation and decrease inflammation to help improve skin tone. It also helps prevent collagen breakdown to keep skin firm. A 2013 article in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Industry reports that ginger helps with skin repair.

Essential Oils for Stretch Marks

Essential oils during pregnancy are controversial, to put it nicely. Thankfully we do have some safe options when it comes to skincare. According to experts, essential oils should be limited during the first trimester and certain ones should be avoided altogether.

We can use up to a 4% dilution for smaller areas of the body during pregnancy. For balance, this stretch mark salve uses a 2% dilution, though you could go a little stronger if preferred. The following essential oils can safely be used in the second and third trimesters to help reduce and fade stretch marks:

  • Lavender essential oil
  • Cedarwood essential oil
  • Frankincense essential oil
  • Patchouli essential oil
  • Helichrysum essential oil

Homemade Stretch Mark Cream

This salve is designed to keep skin supple to accommodate a growing belly and soothe any pregnancy-related skin irritation. It’s super simple to make so I can even manage to remember the recipe when I have placenta brain. It can be whipped to make a lotion consistency that’s basically a body butter.

stretch mark salve recipe
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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Stretch Mark Salve Recipe

Rich and luxurious, yet not too heavy, this stretch mark cream helps fade and prevent marks.
Prep Time5 mins
Active Time10 mins
herb infusion30 mins
Total Time45 mins
Yield: 7.5 ounces
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

  • ¼ cup coconut oil virgin
  • ¼ tsp dried ginger optional
  • 1 TBSP calendula flowers optional
  • ¼ cup shea butter unrefined
  • 2 TBSP cocoa butter
  • 3 TBSP apricot kernel oil
  • 1 tsp rosehip seed oil
  • 20 drops vitamin E oil optional to extend shelf life
  • 20-40 drops pregnancy safe essential oil of choice optional

Instructions

  • Add the coconut oil, calendula, and ginger to the top of a double boiler. Heat water underneath to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the herbs. Skip this step if you aren’t using the herbs.
  • Add the cocoa butter and shea butter to the top of the double boiler. Heat just until melted, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients.
  • Pour into a metal tin or glass jar and put in the fridge to cool. This fast cool time helps prevent the shea butter from going grainy and beading up.

Notes

For a whipped version pour the mixture into a mixing bowl and put in the freezer for about 20 minutes or until firm, but not frozen. Whip with the whisk attachment on your mixer and store in a glass jar.

Shelf life and storage: This should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct heat and light. The salve should last about a year if stored properly, if not longer.

Ever tried a salve for stretch marks? What have you done that’s helped get rid of them? Share below!

This natural salve uses shea butter and coconut oil with added herbs and carrier oils to create a soothing and moisturizing lotion to remove stretch marks.

Category: Beauty

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.








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Reader Interactions

Discussion (156 Comments)

  1. Kari

    May 15, 2013 at 9:47 PM

    Thanks for all the great recipes and tips!I am so excited to try this! I loooove the whipped body butter, but wanted to give this a try too! How long does this take to solidify usually?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      May 16, 2013 at 1:59 PM

      Depends on temp, but up to a couple days…

      Reply
      • Kari

        May 16, 2013 at 9:37 PM

        Ok thank you!! I thought I did something wrong!

        Reply
  2. lesley

    April 16, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    I got stretch marks while pregnant. Thankfully they have faded but I did get laser treatments so I think that helped a lot. I found out about shea butter after I was pregnant and told my twin sister about it and she made a lotion of shea butter, coconut oil, and almond oil (it may have been grape seed oil) She did not get one stretch mark! I wish I knew about shea butter while I was pregnant. So from my sisters experience I would say this really works. She did put it on at least 3x a day and have her shirt rolled up so it wouldn’t get oily. I don’t think this can make stretch marks go away though, although it may help in their appearance.

    Reply
  3. Ryan Watson

    April 14, 2013 at 12:33 AM

    I ate just as you did during pregnancy (following a combo of the Brewer’s diet and Weston A. Price) eating upwards of 100 grams of protein daily and drinking water and pregnancy teas, and got awful stretch marks! I have heard that they are hugely hereditary and if “your mom has them then you will…” from everyone! I am going to try this salve and see if it can at least help them fade! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Christine Blas

      February 29, 2016 at 12:02 AM

      So did it work? I have a tummy Covered in Tiger stripes along with a saggy stretched out tummy. I have had these marks for 11 years.

      Reply
  4. Deborah J Wilson

    April 11, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    Im allergic to Coconuts.. well actually all tree nuts in general is there another option for the coconut oil in the recipe?

    Reply
  5. Rienske Mortier

    April 6, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    I tried making this one but it does not solidify – is it because I used liquid coconut oil?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      April 7, 2013 at 6:56 PM

      probably… you can remelt and add more of the other ingredients to thicken though…

      Reply
  6. rozelle

    April 4, 2013 at 8:42 AM

    Hi..this recipe looks great! Would it be ok if I replaced the coconut oil with argan oil or rose hip oil because I read that those are good for stretch marks?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      April 4, 2013 at 1:13 PM

      Yep 🙂

      Reply
  7. Fajah Shamsid-Deen

    April 2, 2013 at 8:51 PM

    I just ordered the herbs and can’t wait to make this salve!

    Reply
  8. Sabrina Carlson

    April 1, 2013 at 6:49 PM

    I made this but afterwards it didn’t solidify for two days, and when it did it it separated with solid on the bottom and liquid on top. Is there something I should do to prevent this? Maybe put it in the fridge for faster cooling?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      April 1, 2013 at 9:16 PM

      I’ve never had it do that… what liquid was in it that separated?

      Reply
      • Sabrina Carlson

        April 7, 2013 at 6:08 PM

        I assumed it was the apricot kernel oil?

        Reply
        • Erin

          May 13, 2013 at 10:06 PM

          I used apricot kernel oil and mine does the same thing. It’s not solid at all

          Reply
    • Mary

      August 4, 2016 at 2:31 AM

      I made a batch and mine never solidified at all. Made it very messy. I’d like to try again because perhaps I am doing something wrong? Or perhaps it’s because I live in hot Southern California? Any advice would be appreciated :). I love your posts!

      Reply
  9. Kat Townsend

    March 6, 2013 at 12:50 PM

    Does dried ginger powder work or does it have to be the other way?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 6, 2013 at 2:27 PM

      dried ginger powder works…

      Reply
  10. Christina L

    March 3, 2013 at 9:01 PM

    If I can’t find the Calendula and don’t add the Ginger, do I still have to simmer the oil for half an hour or is that just to infuse the herbs?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 3, 2013 at 11:07 PM

      That is just to infuse… only takes five minutes if you don’t do that step :_)

      Reply
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