Exfoliating is a common skincare treatment, but it’s crucial to know how to do it properly. Improper exfoliation can make stretch marks appear worse.
One of the best ways to get rid of stretch marks is to gently remove dead skin cells. The procedure boosts your skin’s renewal process and improves its health.
1. Use a Gentle Exfoliator
Exfoliation is a great way to remove dead skin cells, reduce the appearance of large pores, and even out uneven texture. It also helps to brighten your complexion and encourage cellular turnover, making it a key step in any skincare routine.
However, using the wrong face exfoliator or exfoliating too often can cause inflammation, itching, redness, and discoloration. That’s why I chatted with two expert dermatologists to share their favorite gentle exfoliators for sensitive skin.
A gentle exfoliator should be made of finely ground particles that won’t irritate or inflame your skin. These can be derived from ingredients like crushed nutshells, seashells, ground fruit pits, and seeds.
The small granules are less likely to irritate or inflame your skin and they won’t damage the delicate, thin layer of skin on the surface of your body.
Using an exfoliating scrub is a great way to gently remove the dry, dead skin cells that can make your stretch marks look more noticeable. This can help moisturizers and oils penetrate your skin more deeply, giving you healthier-looking skin that is more elastic.
2. Avoid Harsh Scrubs
Harsh scrubs can irritate your skin and worsen the appearance of stretch marks. That’s why it is important to use a gentle exfoliator when exfoliating your body.
To avoid this, look for scrubs that are formulated with natural (organic, if possible) ingredients and a non-irritating formula. These products will also be hydrating and safe for your skin.
You can also make your own body scrub by mixing coffee grounds with coconut oil. This mixture will give your body a deep cleanse and will help to improve the elasticity of your skin.
The next step is to apply the mixture to your body in circular motions. Massage it into your skin for about a minute before rinsing it off in the shower or bath.
Coffee scrubs are an excellent way to remove cellulite and improve the appearance of stretch marks, but you need to use them regularly for them to work well. This is because caffeine inhibits the production of collagen, a key building block of the skin’s structure.
3. Apply a Moisturizer After Exfoliation
Exfoliating is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and reveal fresher, more radiant skin. It can help brighten and even out your complexion, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and make your skin look as young as you feel.
It’s important to apply a moisturizer after your exfoliation so that your skin stays hydrated and looks as healthy as possible. This will keep your skin from feeling dry and itchy, and it’ll also protect it from environmental damage.
Another way to keep your skin soft and supple is by applying a moisturizer that contains ingredients like aloe vera or rosehip oil. These oils are known to heal damaged skin, and they can also soften stretch marks.
If you’re trying to prevent stretch marks, it’s recommended to use a moisturizing body cream two times a day, which will help strengthen your skin and make it more elastic. It’s also helpful to apply a vitamin A derivative or retinol, as these help your skin cells regenerate and turn over more quickly.
4. Use a Natural Bristle Brush
Exfoliation is a technique that’s used to treat numerous skin concerns. It stimulates cell turnover and renewal, which results in a brighter skin appearance.
Using a dry brush on your skin stimulates this process by gently rubbing against the surface of your skin. This can increase your skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Another benefit of using a natural bristle brush is that it promotes the production of collagen, which can help fade away existing stretch marks. Collagen is responsible for boosting elasticity, firming, and smoothing the skin, which helps keep the skin looking young.
To properly exfoliate your stretch marks, you’ll need to use a natural bristle brush with a long handle and be firm with your strokes. You can also add oil to your brush, like Bio-Oil, to help it work more effectively.
5. Use an Exfoliating Scrub in the Shower
Exfoliation is a common practice that can help improve your skin tone, elasticity, and overall health. The right type of exfoliation can also reduce the visibility of stretch marks.
A scrub can be used on stretch marks to remove dead skin cells and smooth out the appearance of any unsightly lumps or bumps. It can also be used to remove dry, flaky skin that can clog up your pores, making it harder for your body’s natural oils and creams to penetrate deeply into the skin.
There are many different types of scrubs that you can use to gently slough off dead skin and soften the area. Some of these include coffee grounds, jojoba beads, sugar, and salt.
Another popular type of exfoliating scrub is one that uses crystals. These crystals are finer than granules and can be more gentle on your skin.
The crystals work by exfoliating away the top layer of your skin and allowing new skin to grow. This new skin will be tighter and more elastic, which can help make your stretch marks appear lighter and smaller.
6. Apply Honey and Baking Soda
Honey is a natural ingredient that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It contains gluconic acid, an AHA that exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells to lighten the skin tone.
It is also a good antiseptic and helps in reducing the redness of the skin. It has the ability to moisturize the skin and boost collagen production, which makes it an effective natural treatment for stretch marks.
For best results, try applying the remedy several times a week. It takes time for the results to show, but it is an effective way to get rid of your stretch marks naturally and without any side effects.
Another great natural solution for stretch marks is to apply a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. This combination has a natural bleaching property and can be used on the skin daily to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
7. Use Sugar Scrubs
Exfoliating your skin is a crucial part of your regular beauty routine, helping to rid your pores of dead skin cells while also improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help improve the penetration of serums and moisturizers, so they work more effectively.
Sugar scrubs are a great way to give your skin an all-over exfoliation. They’re less abrasive than salt granules, and they contain moisturizing ingredients like fruit or nut oils to hydrate your skin.
They can be made with white organic sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar or coconut sugar. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to add fragrance and additional healing properties.
You can find a wide range of sugar scrubs in the market today, from brands like The Body Shop and Fresh to more affordable options. Most of them include hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil to smooth, soften, and nourish your skin.
8. Use Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera
One of the easiest ways to exfoliate your stretch marks is by using coconut oil. This natural moisturizer is extremely beneficial for all skin types, including those with dry, flaky, or sensitive skin.
Another great ingredient for exfoliating your stretch marks is aloe vera gel. It softens and soothes the skin, reduces inflammation, promotes faster healing, and is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
For an even more effective stretch mark remedy, you can mix coconut oil with aloe vera and apply it on your affected areas twice a day to fade the appearance of these red, scaly lines. This homemade blend can also be used as a body mask to moisturize your skin.
Adding lemon juice to a sugar scrub is also an effective way to lighten the appearance of stretch marks caused by pregnancy. The acid in lemon juice has the power to “bleach” the skin and make stretch marks appear lighter.
