Stretch marks present as linear scars due to elastic fiber destruction. They appear mainly after a rapid change in the body mass, long‐term steroid use, or endocrinopathies. 

Treating stretch marks is challenging and utilizes topical and procedural therapies, although the standard of care is yet to be established.

Thus a study evaluated topical oil formulation of plant extracts and vitamins for their efficacy and tolerance in stretch marks and xerosis.

The study enrolled 50 patients, aged between 14 and 45 years, with stretch marks. 

They were applied with plant extracts and vitamin‐rich oil topically, twice daily, on the affected skin for 4 months. 

Monitoring was done at baseline (T0), two‐month (T1) and 4‐month (T2) follow‐ups.

Clinical and dermoscopic assessment, confocal microscopy, cutaneous ultrasound, MoistureMeterEpiD, and X‐Rite spectrocolorimeter were utilized for assessment. 

Endpoints were 70% clinical improvement of stretch marks and a decrease in clinical score by 3‐point from baseline to T2, along with the change in the T0 parallel pattern of collagen fibres at confocal microscopy, cutaneous thickness increase at ultrasounds, cutaneous hydration increase at MoistureMeterEpiD, erythema reduction at X‐Rite spectrocolorimeter, as well as safety and adverse events (AEs).

The observations of the study were as follows-

• Stretch marks improved both objectively as well as subjectively in all patients on a 4‐month follow‐up.
• T1 and T2 demonstrated 29% and 71% improvement in the clinical appearance of stretch marks, respectively, via dermoscopic assessment and the 3‐point reduction in the assessors mean clinical score at each follow‐up visit.
• T1 and T2 demonstrated a 15% and 30% decrease in erythema and a 25% and 71% increase in parallel hydration, respectively.
• T2 confocal microscopy of stretch marks demonstrated deposits of dermal collagenous fibres in reticular pattern and refractivity, indicating collagen remodelling and neocollagenesis
• Increased epidermal thickness and decreased dermal hypoechogenicity were demonstrated at T2 cutaneous ultrasound indicating higher skin hydration.

Thus the study rendered topical oil formulation rich in plant extracts and vitamins to be effective and safe in treating stretch marks and xerosis.

Source: Cantelli M, Camela E, Marasca C, Fontanella G, Blasio C, Fabbrocini G. Topical oil formulation of plant extracts and vitamins as an effective treatment for stretch marks and xerosis-An observational longitudinal study. J CosmetDermatol. 2021;20Suppl 1(Suppl 1):9-13. doi:10.1111/jocd.14094