Does Baby Oil Really Work on Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. Over time they may diminish, but will not disappear completely. Stretch marks are caused by tearing of the dermis during periods of rapid growth of the body, such as during puberty or pregnancy.

Baby oil is nothing more than mineral oil mixed with fragrance to give the oil a fresh scent, and mineral oil is completely natural, composed of hydrocarbons found in petroleum.

However, stretch marks may also be influenced by the hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding, or hormone replacement therapy.

Why Baby Oil Works on Skin and Stretch Marks

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, baby oil contains no toxic chemicals or pesticides.

Baby oil is used to soothe, soften, and moisturize cracked, dry, and irritated skin.

Baby oil is a safe product made with mineral oil, so it’s highly emollient and sometimes suggested as a remedy for dry skin, stretch marks, and other pregnancy skin conditions.

Before you use baby oil on your body during pregnancy, ensure that it’s both safe and effective for the intended application.

A whole slew of stretch-mark prevention creams is available to pregnant women and many list mineral oil as one of their ingredients.

Stretch marks are the result of skin elasticity, so while you cannot increase the natural elasticity of your skin, it stands to reason that more moisturized skin stretches more effectively.

Even still, applying baby oil on a daily basis, while safe, likely won’t prevent you from getting stretch marks in the later weeks of your pregnancy.

Your skin elasticity is genetic, so your mother’s stretch mark situation is a better indicator of whether you’ll see the streaks crop up on your skin.

How to Use Baby Oil for Healthy Skin?

To obtain the benefits of baby oil and keep your skin healthy, you must follow some simple steps:

1. Clean your face or body using a gentle cleanser or soap.

2. Pat your skin dry, leaving traces of some moisture on the skin’s surface.

3. Apply a little amount of baby oil all over your body or in the desired area.

4. Gently massage the baby oil into your skin for 2 to 3 minutes.

The best moment to apply baby oil to your skin is when it is thoroughly cleaned and damp with water.

Baby oil creates a semi-breathable barrier to lock the moisture down on your skin.

How Baby Oil Works on Stretch Marks and Skin Blemishes

It is commonly believed that baby oil can dissolve your stretch marks and skin blemishes in multiple ways.

Though some claims are yet to be verified, it doesn’t diminish its popularity as a skincare product. Here are the benefits of baby oil:

1. As Skin Moisturizer

The mineral oil present in baby oil has a larger molecular span, making it non-comedogenic (not clogging your skin’s pores) and occlusive.

It assists in locking in the moisture on your skin. So people with normal to dry skin can use baby oil to moisturize their skin.

A study was conducted to identify the impact of some common moisturizing ingredients on people’s skin.

It indicated mineral oil to have a more significant moisturizing effect than glycerin, ethanol, and water.

Therefore, products like baby oil that contain a high percentage of mineral oil, can be applied as a skin moisturizer.

Scientists also added that mineral oil could assist in plumping up the skin along with providing a hydrated appearance.

2. Reduces the Appearance of Stretch Marks & Scars

There is no direct research indicating the efficiency of baby oil as a scar and stretch mark reducer.

Still, a 1993 study exhibited that baby oil can assist in scar removal. Being an effective moisturizer, baby oil may plump up the depressed skin of scarred areas.

It assists in reducing the overall appearance of scars and stretch marks. Furthermore, research carried out in 1975 showed that baby oil is not long-lasting.

So, you have to reapply baby oil at regular intervals to keep your skin looking moisturized and plump.

3. As Foot Care Product

There is no recognized study supporting the effectiveness of baby oil as a foot care product.

However, baby oil with vitamins A and E can help rejuvenate and restore the skin of your heel and sole area.

You can apply baby oil as a foot moisturizer or even utilize it for a home pedicure.

Applying baby oil after a shower and before going to bed at night will cause your feet to be soft and moisturized.

4. As Shaving Cream

While no study supports the usage of baby oil as a suitable option for shaving cream, some people prefer to use baby oil over shaving soap or foam.

This makes it a desirable alternative to shaving cream for many. The oil gives a smooth glide to your shaving blade, which helps in a much closer shave.

5. As Soothing Product

Some studies support the fact that baby oil can assist relieve skin discomfort caused by dry skin or conditions like psoriasis.

A 2012 study performed on patients undergoing hemodialysis, showed that baby oil helped significantly to reduce itchiness when applied to itchy body parts.

A minimum 15-minute massage with baby oil every day for three weeks offered maximum benefit.

6. As Under-Eye Gel

Another less common and unproven usefulness of baby oil is as an under-eye gel.

People use baby oil to restore moisture in the problematic eye area.

A daily gentle massage of baby oil over the eye area with fingertips for 1-2 minutes could assist in soothing your eyes.

What are Other Ways to Use Baby Oil?

Here are two additional ways you can utilize your baby oil, and it will work magic for you.

1. Razor Bumps with Baby Oil

Baby oil can be used alone on razor bumps, or you can mix it with another product if the bumps are especially bothersome.

You can also mix baby oil with a few drops of rubbing alcohol and apply that to the irritated area.

2. Baby Oil is Used to Combat Dry Skin

In infants, baby oil is used for dry patches attributed to cradle cap and eczema.

Adults can utilize the moisturizing effects of baby oil for dry elbows, knees, and feet. Baby oil can also help reduce cuticles.

What are the Side Effects of Using Baby Oil

Usually, baby oil is safe to utilize for all age groups. However, some individuals may experience a few side effects.

Therefore, it is wise to be aware of these possible side effects and take precautionary measures.

1. Allergic Reaction

Though allergic reactions to mineral oil are infrequent, super-sensitive skin may react and display some allergic reactions.

To evade this, always do a patch test. Check for reactions like redness or itching that may occur over the next 24 hours. If there are none, you can use baby oil confidently.

2. Trigger Breakouts

Baby oils are mainly non-comedogenic and don’t clog pores. However, people who are inclined to acne can experience breakouts.

Being highly occlusive, mineral oil can suffocate the skin and trap pore-clogging ingredients that may trigger acne.

3. Blocks Sweat

Baby oil forms a skin barrier that may trap excess moisture over your skin, even on hot summer break days.

This barrier may stop you from sweating, even when your body naturally tries to cool itself down with sweat.

4. May Cause Sunburn

Baby oil is thought to attract UV rays and let them penetrate deeper into your skin.

This can raise the chances of cell damage and even skin cancer. It may cause sunburn in some people. However, there is not enough research in this respect.

Who Can Use Baby Oil?

Primarily a baby care product, it can be utilized for moisturizing a baby’s skin, treating diaper rash and eczema, and for regular baby massages.

Baby oil is also mostly used by adults regardless of age for moisturizing dehydrated skin, body massage, makeup removal, etc.

In summary, baby oils are also great for preventing stretch marks.

This is good news for pregnant women since even before their bellies get bigger, they can apply baby oil to prevent having stretch marks or at least lessen their appearance.

Baby oil can be used to moisturize, plump, and smoothen skin by locking in moisture. It can also soothe irritated skin.

Use the baby oil every time you bathe, but try and take a hot shower daily and treat with baby oil following. Exfoliate twice a week to promote fresh skin.