Four Oils and Balms for Scars and Stretchmarks

Scars and stretchmarks are practically inevitable—but they don’t have to be permanent. Here are four oils, salves and balms to help smooth your skin.

If you’re not a fan of greasy gels or creams, try an oil-based scar treatment. Oils are a great way to hydrate skin, which is key when trying to reduce the appearance of scars and stretchmarks.

Scan your scar treatment’s ingredient list for vitamins A and E keep skin soft, supple and hydrated. Onion extract is a valuable anti-inflammatory to help soothe itchy scars and stretchmarks (and remember, as tempting as scratching may be, it’ll only make the marks worse).

Got an old scar? Look for a treatment that works on scars that have been there awhile as well as more recent ones. Silicone can help regulate the buildup of collagen that leads to raised or bumpy scars.

If you prefer a natural approach to scar reduction, Vitamin E should be your go-to ingredient. It’s a great way to build collagen and soften your skin without using synthetic ingredients.