Which plant oil for stretch marks? The guide to keeping skin supple
For stretch marks, the best-suited plant oils are sweet almond oil and avocado oil for the body, with argan or prickly pear seed oil on targeted areas: they nourish the skin, boost its suppleness and help prevent stretch marks from appearing. Massaged in every day as soon as the skin starts to stretch, they maintain its elasticity and help fade the look of recent stretch marks.
Pregnancy, weight gain or loss, growth spurts, sport: when skin stretches quickly, it feels tight, sometimes itchy, and marks can appear on the belly, hips, thighs or breasts. Here is what a plant oil can really do, which ones to choose and how to massage to get the most out of them.
Stretch marks: what a plant oil can do for you
Stretch marks form in the deep layers of the skin when it is stretched too quickly. They are pink or purplish at first, then turn pearly white over time. Whether they appear depends largely on factors we cannot control: hormones, genetics, how fast the skin stretches.
A plant oil does not reach these deep layers. Its role lies elsewhere:
- It nourishes the skin surface with its fatty acids and eases the feeling of dry, tight skin.
- It helps prevent stretch marks from appearing by keeping skin supple and elastic while it stretches.
- It soothes the feeling of discomfort and the itchiness of dry skin, common on a growing belly.
- It makes massage pleasant: the regular daily gesture is often what makes the difference to skin comfort.
On recent, still pinkish stretch marks, regular massage helps fade their look. On old, pearly-white ones, the oil makes skin softer and smoother to the touch without erasing them: the right time to act is prevention.
The 4 plant oils to choose
Sweet almond oil: the classic for the belly and body
Gentle, almost odourless and easy to spread, sweet almond oil is the most widely used massage oil for the body, including during pregnancy. Rich in oleic acid and vitamin E, it nourishes without feeling too greasy and suits large areas: belly, hips, thighs.
Our organic sweet almond oil is 100% pure, cold-pressed from almonds from Spain, COSMOS Organic certified by Ecocert and packaged in France by an ESAT (a sheltered workshop), in 50, 100 and 200 ml glass bottles. The 200 ml size is the most practical for a daily body massage.
Avocado oil: for very dry skin
Richer and more cocooning, avocado oil suits very dry skin that feels tight or itchy. It contains oleic acid, vitamin E and phytosterols. Use it pure on the driest areas, or mixed with sweet almond oil for a lighter texture. Learn more in our guide organic avocado oil: benefits and uses.
Our organic avocado oil is cold-pressed from avocados from Spain, in 50 and 100 ml glass bottles.
Argan oil: the all-rounder for targeted areas
Neither too light nor too rich, argan oil absorbs well and leaves skin soft. It is rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid and vitamin E. It suits thinner areas such as the breasts or inner arms. Our organic argan oil comes from Morocco.
Prickly pear seed oil: the precious care, in small amounts
Very rich in linoleic acid (omega 6) and vitamin E, prickly pear seed oil has a dry texture that absorbs quickly. As it is precious, use it locally: 2 to 3 drops on a mark, or a few drops added to sweet almond oil. Our organic prickly pear seed oil comes from Tunisia and is available from 5 ml.
Which oil for your situation
| Oil | Texture | Best for | Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet almond | Gentle, glides well | Daily massage, pregnancy, all skin types | Belly, hips, thighs, buttocks |
| Avocado | Rich, cocooning | Very dry skin that feels tight or itchy | Belly, thighs, very dry areas |
| Argan | Balanced, absorbs well | Normal to dry skin | Breasts, arms, thinner areas |
| Prickly pear | Dry, absorbs quickly | Targeted care, as a complement | Localised marks, 2 to 3 drops |
Our body blend: in a clean bottle, 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil and 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. For targeted care, add a few drops of prickly pear seed oil when you massage. Good to know: the basket discount applies automatically, -10% from 2 oils and -15% from 3.
Everything in one gesture: our stretch marks and pregnancy pack combines organic sweet almond oil and avocado oil, ready for the daily massage of the belly, hips and breasts.
The anti-tightness massage in 5 steps
- After your shower, pat your skin without drying it completely: slightly damp skin spreads the oil better.
- Warm a teaspoon of oil (about 5 ml) between your palms for the belly and hips, a little more if you also massage your thighs.
- Massage in wide circles around the navel, clockwise, then move up to the hips.
- Do small "pinch-rolls": gently pinch the skin between thumb and forefinger and roll it, on the thighs and hips (not on the belly during pregnancy: stick to gentle strokes).
- Let it absorb for 5 minutes before getting dressed.
Regularity matters more than quantity: a massage every day, morning or evening, as soon as the skin starts to stretch (from early pregnancy, for example), rather than a big application now and then.
During pregnancy: precautions
- Pure plant oils only: avoid essential oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding, unless your doctor or midwife advises otherwise.
- Patch test: apply a drop to the crook of your elbow 24 hours before first use, as skin is often more reactive during pregnancy.
- Nut allergy: ask a healthcare professional before using sweet almond oil.
- Breastfeeding: do not apply oil to the nipples before a feed.
- Damaged skin: do not apply oil to irritated or broken skin.
For other uses of sweet almond oil during pregnancy and for babies, read our guide organic sweet almond oil: benefits and uses.
Mistakes to avoid
- Starting too late: oil maintains the suppleness of the skin; it is more useful while the skin is stretching than once marks have formed.
- Massaging dry skin: on slightly damp skin, oil spreads better and you need less.
- Forgetting hidden areas: lower belly, hips, upper thighs and breasts are often the most affected.
- Storing the oil badly: keep the bottle tightly closed, away from heat and light, and use it within 12 months of opening.
Frequently asked questions about oils and stretch marks
Can a plant oil make stretch marks disappear?
Not completely. An oil helps prevent stretch marks from appearing and helps fade the look of recent ones; on old marks, it makes skin softer and smoother to the touch.
What is the best oil for stretch marks during pregnancy?
Sweet almond oil is the most widely used: gentle and almost odourless, it suits a daily belly massage. Avocado oil is a good alternative for very dry skin. Use pure plant oils, without essential oils.
When should I start massaging my belly?
As soon as the skin starts to stretch, ideally from early pregnancy, and until a few weeks after giving birth, once a day.
Should I choose an organic oil?
For care applied every day to a large area of skin, an organic, virgin, cold-pressed oil is a good choice: it keeps its fatty acids and natural vitamin E, without solvents. All our oils are COSMOS Organic certified by Ecocert.
How long does a bottle last?
For a daily massage of the belly and hips (about 5 ml), allow roughly 40 days for a 200 ml bottle of sweet almond oil.
Key takeaways
To ease the tightness of stretching skin, organic sweet almond oil for the daily massage, avocado oil for very dry skin and a few drops of prickly pear seed oil on targeted areas make a simple trio. The daily gesture matters more than the oil itself. If your skin also suffers from the cold, read our guide the best plant oil for dry skin, and find our organic sweet almond oil in a 200 ml bottle.
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