Do Natural Body Oils Really Help With Stretch Marks?

Daily massage with a nourishing oil is one of the most underrated skincare rituals.

If you've ever stood in front of the mirror tracing the fine lines along your hips, thighs or belly, you're in very good company. Stretch marks affect somewhere between 50% and 90% of pregnant women, and plenty of the rest of us collect them through growth spurts, weight changes and the simple act of being human.

So the question we hear most often is a fair one: do natural body oils actually do anything for them? The honest answer is more nuanced — and, we think, more useful — than the "miracle cure" promises you'll see elsewhere. Let's walk through what the research really shows, and how to get the most from an oil.

First, what stretch marks actually are

Stretch marks (their clinical name is striae) form deep in the middle layer of your skin, the dermis. When skin stretches quickly, the collagen and elastin fibres that give it structure and bounce are put under tension and reorganise — leaving the fine streaks we recognise. They often start reddish or purple (striae rubrae) and gradually fade to pale, silvery lines (striae albae) over time.

That's the key thing to understand: a mature stretch mark is essentially a type of scar within the skin. No cream or oil — natural or otherwise — can fully erase a scar. Anyone telling you differently is overselling.

What the science says about oils and prevention

This is where honesty matters. A landmark Cochrane review of clinical trials concluded there is no high-quality evidence that any topical preparation reliably prevents stretch marks during pregnancy. Dermatology reviews echo this: most over-the-counter products have only mild effects, and no single ingredient has been proven to stop stretch marks from forming.

If a brand promises an oil will guarantee stretch-mark-free skin, that promise isn't supported by the evidence. We'd rather you heard that from us.

The part almost everyone misses: the massage

Here's the genuinely interesting finding. In a study of first-time mothers, stretch marks developed in only about 20% of women who massaged oil into their skin — compared with roughly 41% of those who did nothing. Tellingly, applying the same oil without massage made little difference.

Researchers concluded that the physical act of massage — improving circulation, keeping skin supple, encouraging you to notice and care for changing areas early — may be doing much of the heavy lifting. A nourishing oil is the perfect vehicle for that daily ritual: it lets your hands glide, turns two minutes of self-care into a habit, and keeps skin comfortable while it stretches.

Certain plant oils have supportive evidence too. In one trial, a moisturiser containing rosehip oil and vitamin E outperformed a placebo at reducing stretch-mark severity in pregnancy — and rosehip happens to be rich in the vitamins your skin loves.

Featured · Body Oil

Nova Glow Body Oil

Rosehip, baobab & grapeseed oils — formulated for the daily massage ritual on stretch-mark-prone skin.

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Where natural oils genuinely shine

Set aside the prevention question and oils become a clear winner for something just as important: comfort and elasticity. As skin stretches — during pregnancy, growth or weight change — it can feel tight, dry and itchy. Dermatologists note that keeping skin well moisturised helps support its elasticity and overall condition, and that massaged-in products are most effective when used consistently and early.

A good botanical body oil does exactly this. It:

• Replenishes moisture and reinforces the skin's natural barrier
• Soothes the tight, itchy feeling of rapidly stretching skin
• Keeps skin soft, supple and visibly more radiant
• Gives you a calm, daily moment to connect with your changing body

None of that requires a miracle claim. It's simply good skin care — and it feels wonderful.

Our honest take

We'd never promise that an oil will erase stretch marks — the science doesn't support that, and your trust matters more to us than a sale. What we can say with confidence is that a pure, well-formulated body oil, massaged in daily, keeps stretching skin hydrated, supple and comfortable, and gives many people visibly softer, more even-looking skin over time.

That's why our oils are made with nothing but nutrient-rich botanicals — baobab, rosehip and grapeseed among them — and never the synthetic fillers your skin doesn't need. Whether you're navigating pregnancy or simply caring for skin that's changing, the ritual is the same: nourish, massage, repeat.

Featured · Pregnancy Safe

Nova Glow Pregnancy Body Oil

A gentle blend made for the daily belly-massage ritual through every trimester.

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This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Stretch marks are a normal, healthy part of how skin changes — if you have concerns about your skin during pregnancy or otherwise, please speak to your doctor or a dermatologist.

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