Did you know that you can make a great anti-stretch mark ointment from just a few ingredients - with coconut oil in the lead?
Are you pregnant and looking forward immensely to the new life you will bring into the world? But on the other hand, are you afraid of unpleasant skin changes, like stretch marks, that pregnancy brings with it?
Why do stretch marks occur in pregnancy at all, you ask? As the baby grows in your abdomen, the skin stretches beyond its capacity and thus damage to the connective tissue - stretch marks.
Although some women are more prone to stretch marks because they naturally do not have very elastic skin, there are still natural ingredients that can help you prevent or at least alleviate this problem.
One of such good natural solutions is an anti-stretch mark ointment, which you can make yourself at home. You will need only a few ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, apricot kernel oil (or almond oil) and ginger powder.
An ointment that hydrates and softens the skin
The main star of this fat is coconut oil, which is saturated with healthy fats and which perfectly hydrates the skin of pregnant women. Then there is shea butter, which, in addition to nourishing, retains moisture in the skin, which is very important for pregnant women.
This ointment will soften the skin of your abdomen and prevent any skin irritations that pregnancy could bring to you.
Start applying it as soon as possible because stretch marks in the initial stage respond very well to any treatments. That is why some women apply anti-stretch mark preparations to their skin even before pregnancy.
Natural ointment against stretch marks - making in a few steps
Ingredients:
1/4 cup shea butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 tablespoons apricot kernel oil or almond oil
ΒΌ teaspoons of ginger powder
marigold flowers (optional)
Preparation:
Place the refractory bowl above the water bath. Add the ginger powder and apricot kernel oil to the bowl. If you use marigold flowers, add them as well.
Bring to a boil, then cook for about 30 minutes over medium heat.
If you have added marigold flowers, strain through a strainer or gauze.
Return the oil to the bowl above the water bath then add the coconut oil and shea butter. Heat until everything melts nicely, then stir to bring everything together.
Remove from heat and store in a jar with a lid.
Use as needed before, during and after pregnancy. You can apply the ointment on the parts of the skin where there are stretch marks and massage it in a circular motion for a few minutes.
Also, if desired, you can add to this ointment a few drops of your favorite oil that is suitable for pregnant women, for example, avocado oil, evening primrose or grape seed oil.
A few additional tips against pregnancy stretch marks:
Consume healthy fats (coconut, olive, flaxseed oil) to give your skin extra softness inside.
Get as much vitamin C as possible through your diet (it contains peppers, kale, parsley, broccoli, citrus fruits), which is very important for collagen production.
Spend more time in the sun to supply your body with a sufficient dose of important vitamin D.
Drink sufficient amounts of fluids, whether water, teas or healthy natural juices. During pregnancy, your body will require even more water than usual. And your skin needs more fluid to be even more elastic.
Lubricate your skin with oily vitamin E. This antioxidant will improve the elasticity of your skin and reduce or prevent stretch marks.
