Cocoa Butter Prevents Stretch Marks: Really?

Pregnant women all around the globe aptly apply cocoa butter all over their bodies during pregnancy to prevent developing stretch marks on their tummies, breasts and thighs. WELL, LADIES, STUDIES SHOW YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME...A very large study performed by dermatologists and obstetricians was published in 2008.

It followed 175 women and found that after months of slathering gobs of cocoa butter still developed stretch marks. Some women even developed acne from too much cream. (ref. 1) On the brighter side, an alternative cream containing vitamin E was found to be more effective in the war against developing stretch marks. So if you want to prevent stretch marks, try using a cream with ALPHA TOCOPHEROL (a form of vitamin E) instead of cocoa butter based creams. (ref. 2)Note: Before using any creams during pregnancy please discuss it with your midwife or doctor.

‍Ref: 1. BJOG. 2008 Aug;115(9):1138-42., Cocoa butter lotion for prevention of striae gravidarum: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial., Osman H, Usta IM, Rubeiz N, Abu-Rustum R, Charara I, Nassar AH., Department of Health Behaviour and Education, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.2. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD000066., Creams for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy., Young GL, Jewell D.,Barn Croft Surgery, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1RZ.