Fact or Fiction: Cocoa Butter Heals Stretch Marks

Practically every expectant mother is told to apply cocoa butter to her skin to deal with the unsightly stretch marks she’s sure to get as a result of pregnancy. Some women swear by this method, while others have seen zero truth to claims about cocoa butter’s mystical stretch mark-healing powers. Where did this widespread theory come from, and does it really hold up? Let’s find out.

First, the origin of stretch marks: a stretch mark is essentially a scar that occurs when the elastic fibers just below the skin’s surface break. This breakage generally happens during pregnancy or rapid growth and/or weight gain (such as during puberty), when the skin can’t keep up with how quickly the body is growing. They can take on different appearances depending on your skin tone, but they often start out as red or pink and gradually fade into silvery or light-colored lines. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 90 percent of women get stretch marks by their third trimester, and while keeping your skin hydrated by applying rich lotions throughout pregnancy can make them less obvious, there is, unfortunately, no surefire way to prevent stretch marks from happening.

Now, why have we consistently been told that cocoa butter will rid us of stretch marks? Cocoa butter, also known as theobroma oil, is a pale yellow vegetable fat extracted from the cocoa bean. It contains powerful antioxidants and is widely acclaimed for its moisturizing abilities, which is why so many sources recommend it for preventing and healing stretch marks. However, studies have shown that cocoa butter is no more or less effective than a placebo when it comes to getting rid of stretch marks.

Verdict: Fiction. Hate to break it to you, but cocoa butter will not make stretch marks disappear. In fact, nothing will: stretch marks will never fully go away. However, there are a number of things you can do to reduce their appearance, both clinical (microdermabrasion and laser therapy) and natural. Beauty expert Michelle Phan says vitamin E-based creams and solutions are best for penetrating deep into the skin and fading those lines. Click here for her DIY stretch mark-reducing formula.

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