Motherhood brings with it myriad joys. Unfortunately, it also leaves behind unsightly stretch marks. Research suggests that almost 90% of women experience stretch marks after pregnancy. Stretch marks are formed when the skin loses collagen or is stretched beyond its elastic limit. Apart from pregnancy, sudden fluctuations in weight or rigorous exercise over a period of time can also cause stretch marks.
Let’s look at a few safe and natural home remedies to get rid of stretch marks using sugar and a good amount of patience as the main ingredients.
Why Use Sugar?
Sugar contains glycolic acid whose small molecules get easily absorbed by the skin and they help in the production of new skin cells. Sugar is also known to be a natural moisturizer and it attracts moisture from the air and locks it in, leaving the skin soft and well moisturized. Sugar also helps remove the dead skin cells that accumulate around the stretch marks and aids in healing of the skin by improving blood circulation.
1. Sugar Scrub
Mix half a cup of brown sugar with enough water and stir it in until it becomes a smooth paste. Apply this simple mixture on the stretch marks and scrub well. Leave the mixture on for ten minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.
2. Sugar And Salt Scrub
A salt scrub helps improve blood circulation and promotes collagen production in the skin. Mix equal portions of sugar and salt (200 grams each) and add 100 ml coconut, olive or palm oil to the mixture. Apply the paste on the stretch marks and massage it in with circular strokes. Use it thrice a week for best results.
3. Sugar With Lemon
Lemon boosts collagen production and works as an astringent. Mix the juice of one lemon with some coconut oil in a cup. Add enough sugar to the mix to form a thick paste. Apply the mixture onto the stretch marks and scrub for a few minutes. Leave the mixture on for ten minutes, and rinse it off with cold water.
4. Sugar With Honey
Honey not only moisturizes the skin, but also helps tighten sagging skin. Mix equal parts of olive oil, sugar and honey and apply the mixture on the stretch marks and massage it in using circular motion. Leave the mixture on for a while and rinse off with cold water. Use it every other day for best results.
5. Sugar, Lemon, Olive Oil And Honey
Honey with its moisturizing properties keeps the skin supple and lemon with its citric acid lightens the skin. Mix one cup of sugar with the juice of half a lemon and one tablespoon each of honey and olive oil to create a thick paste. Apply the mixture to the stretch marks and massage it well for about 5 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry. Repeat up to three times a week and see your stretch marks vanishing.
6. Sugar With Ground Coffee
Ground coffee is a great exfoliant and removes the dead skin cells promoting the growth of new cells. Also, caffeine present in the coffee grounds helps improve the production of collagen that improves elasticity of the skin. Mix 1 tablespoon of sugar, 3 tablespoons of ground coffee and 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil. Massage the paste on your stretch marks and leave it on for ten minutes before rinsing it off. Use it 2-3 times a week for best results.
7. Sugar With Olive Oil
Olive oil has many benefits for the skin. It is rich in Vitamin E, helps improve the moisture in the skin cells, improves blood circulation and promotes collagen production thereby increasing the elasticity of the skin. Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and apply it on the stretch marks. Massage well for ten minutes and rinse off with cool water. Repeat the process daily and see the stretch marks disappearing.
8. Sugar With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil helps build skin elasticity and strengthens the skin cells. Applying it during pregnancy can ensure that the skin retains its elasticity. Melt a cup of coconut oil and add 1 cup of powdered sugar and apply the mixture onto the affected skin while it is still lukewarm. Massage the oil into the skin and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Use this mixture daily on the skin before your bath for smooth and supple skin.
9. Sugar With Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in Vitamins A and E and makes the skin radiant while promoting the healing process. Mix ½ cup of powdered sugar and just enough almond oil to make a smooth paste. Apply the mixture on the stretch marks and massage for 2-3 minutes. Leave it on the skin for a few more minutes before washing it with cool water. Repeat once a week for smooth, supple skin.
10. Sugar With Castor Oil
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid that helps tighten the skin. It is also a well-known moisturizer. Mix 1 cup of sugar with enough castor oil to make a thick paste. Apply it on the stretch marks and massage it in with circular motion for 5 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Repeat this for three weeks every day for maximum benefits.
11. Sugar With Shea Butter
Shea butter is rich in oleic, stearic, linoleic and palmitic acids which are great for the skin. All these promote the production of collagen which helps keep the skin elastic. Melt shea butter in a double boiler and mix half a cup of the melted shea butter with ¼ cup of sugar. Blend well and add 4 drops of orange essential oil. Apply the mixture to the stretch marks and massage well for 5 minutes. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse it off. Apply twice a week.
A Word Of Caution
Before using any of these mixtures on the skin, perform a patch test to rule out any allergies. Use brown sugar as it gives better results and is easier on the skin than white sugar. Also, do not use the mixtures on the skin if you have any cuts or bruises. Do not use the treatments mentioned above if you are already undergoing any dermatological treatments.
