Can You Use Coconut Oil For Stretch Marks? It's Worth Trying

Coconut oil has been lauded as somewhat of a “cure all.” It has countless uses fr your meals, for your health, and even for your skin. But besides it’s hydrating properties, are there other benefits for using it on your skin? Can you use coconut oil for stretch marks? They’re a common skin woe — especially after pregnancy, weight gain, and childbirth — and using such a common (and affordable) household product to heal them would be almost too good to be true.

Besides making cookies, mositurizing skin is one of the better known (but not any less important) uses for coconut oil. According to his site, certifies doctor of natural medicine Dr. Josh Axe noted that coconut oil helps keep your skin moisturized, which allows previously existing stretch marks to heal and diminish naturally. According to Skin Overhaul, stretch marks aren’t just on the top layer of your skin (the epidermis), but they go deeper into the dermis, making them a bit of a pain to heal. Coconut oil, as it turns out, is able to permeate the dermis, unlike most other moisturizers and even some creams specifically designed to help stretch marks fade, meaning that it should at least show minor improvement to their appearance.

To add to its list of super powers, according to New Health Advisor, coconut oil contains saturated fats that help strengthen the cell wall, preventing new stretch marks from forming, and also fights free radicals, reducing the appearance of stretch marks you already have.

Coconut oil isn’t guaranteed to work for everyone and every stretch mark, but it’s definitely worth a shot, especially since other creams or products are much more expensive and contain a laundry list of ingredients that may do more harm than good.

Although there is nothing to hide about your stretch marks — wearing them with pride for what your body has accomplished is just as valid — it’s not uncommon for women to want them gone, especially if they are extensive or easily visible. Whatever your take on your stretch marks, using coconut oil will only improve the health of your skin and if it diminishes your stretch marks while you’re at it? Well, that’s even better.