Cocoa butter does help with stretch marks, but does it work for everyone? I don’t know about you, but most people have always been skeptical of cocoa butter.
It does seem like the cure-all for every skin problem – from dryness to stretch marks. But does it really work? This article will explore whether cocoa butter is an effective treatment for stretch marks and how to use it.
Stretch marks are an unfortunate part of pregnancy; like many products on the market today,
cocoa butter does not have any solid scientific evidence to support its use as a treatment for stretch marks. However, does this mean that it does not work?
No, there are many anecdotal reports from women who say that cocoa butter effectively prevented or reduced the appearance of stretch marks.
In fact, one study showed that a cream containing cocoa butter and vitamin E was more effective in reducing stretch marks than a cream without cocoa butter.
So, does cocoa Butter help with Stretch Marks? Continue reading to find out.
Why Do You Have Stretch Marks?
Before getting into details, let’s first understand why you get stretch marks in the first place. Stretch marks are basically scars that form when the skin stretches too much or too quickly.
The collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis layer of your skin tear, and over time, these tears heal and leave a scar.
The most common cause of stretch marks is pregnancy, but other factors include weight gain or loss and steroid use.
This can happen when you gain weight rapidly, during pregnancy or puberty, or when you start lifting weights.
The fibers in the skin tear, and the body tries to repair them by producing collagen. Unfortunately, this process does not always go perfectly, and some of the scars remain as stretch marks.
Does Cocoa Butter Help With Stretch Marks? What You Need To Know
If you’re looking to try using cocoa butter to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Cocoa butter is not a miracle cure – it may or may not work for you
- It can take a few weeks to see any results, so be patient
- Cocoa butter is most effective when used early on before stretch marks have had a chance to form
- Apply cocoa butter twice a day, morning and night
If you’re pregnant, it’s best to wait until after your baby is born to start using cocoa butter. You should also consult with your doctor before starting any new skincare products.
How to Use Cocoa Butter for Stretch Marks
There are a few different ways to use cocoa butter for stretch marks. Here is a simple step-by-step guide you can use for stretch marks:
- First, before applying any creams or lotions to your skin, make sure that it is clean and dry. You should also wait at least 30 minutes after showering as your pores are open from the hot water, and this could allow other ingredients in the cream to penetrate too quickly into the skin, which may cause irritation.
- After cleansing with a mild soap, pat yourself dry but do not rub – just let your skin air-dry naturally so that moisture does not evaporate from your dermis layer of skin too quickly.
- Apply your cocoa butter using gentle, circular motions. You should then wait for about 30 minutes before applying any other creams or lotions to the skin. This will allow enough time for it to be absorbed into your top layer of skin and thus can help prevent irritation from other ingredients in these products.
- Repeat twice a day – once in the morning and again at night – until you notice results (this could take up to three months). After that point, continue applying every few days just like you would with any moisturizing cream.
Does Cocoa Butter Help With Stretch Marks? The Verdict
Cocoa is most effective when used early on before stretch marks have had a chance to form, but it does not work for everyone. It can take a few weeks to see any results, so be patient.
If you do notice an improvement in the appearance of your skin, then continue using it until you reach your desired outcome before stopping.
This will give your body enough time to adjust to the changes.
In general, cocoa butter does help with stretch marks – especially those from pregnancy or puberty – however, certain factors may affect whether or not cocoa butter is effective, including:
Your Age – as you get older, your skin becomes thinner and drier, which means it absorbs creams more easily;
therefore, adults tend to find they need less moisturizing products than teenagers who still have young, supple skin.
The Severity Of Your Stretch Marks – as you can probably imagine, those with thick and deep scars will take longer to develop the collagen needed for cocoa butter to help reduce their appearance;
however, this does not mean that it is impossible – just give yourself enough time before giving up on using cocoa butter.
Your Diet – if you’re eating a healthy and balanced diet, then there’s a much greater chance that cocoa butter will work because all the
nutrients found in fruit and vegetables (such as vitamin E) are great for maintaining good health, including glowing skin!
Frequently Asked Question about Cocoa Butter on Stretch Marks
Can You Use Cocoa Butter Lotion For Stretch Marks?
Yes, but it’s best to use pure cocoa butter in its solid form and not as a lotion. This is because lotions usually contain other ingredients which may not be beneficial for stretch marks.
I’m Pregnant – Can I Start Using Cocoa Butter?
You should consult with your doctor before starting any new skincare products. Generally speaking, it is safe to use cocoa butter during pregnancy, especially in the later stages when the skin tends to become drier. Just make sure you don’t overdo it, as too much moisturizing could lead to complications such as gestational diabetes.
I Don’t Have Any Stretch Marks, But I Want To Start Using Cocoa Butter In Case I Get Them – Is This A Good Idea?
Cocoa butter can be used as a preventative measure, and it’s never too early to start! Just make sure you apply it twice a day and give yourself enough time before seeing results.
There you have it; hopefully, this post has helped you answer the question, ” does cocoa butter help with stretch marks?”
Cocoa butter does help with stretch marks to a certain extent and can be used as a preventative measure, but it does not work for everyone.
If you decide to give cocoa butter a try, make sure that your skin is moisturized sufficiently before applying the product; otherwise, it will have little effect other than irritating.