Pregnancy Stretch Marks Oil: Sea Buckthorn and Rosehip Explained for Tropical Climates

TL;DR

• Stretch marks form from skin stretching plus pregnancy hormones, not from dryness

• No topical oil fully prevents them, but the right oil supports the skin barrier and may reduce severity

• Sea buckthorn is rich in omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) and carotenoids that support skin barrier repair

• Rosehip is rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid plus trace natural vitamin A, with modest evidence for scar appearance

• In India, store below 25°C, apply at night, and let the oil absorb before dressing

• Start from the first trimester for prevention; continue postpartum to support fading

Stretch marks (striae gravidarum) affect 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women globally, and Indian data points to the higher end. A 2018 study at KPC Medical College Kolkata and Silchar Medical College Assam found stretch marks in 80.78 percent of pregnant women, with nearly half rated severe. No topical preparation fully prevents stretch marks per the Cochrane 2012 review. What well-formulated oils do offer is barrier support, hydration, and post-pregnancy fade support. Two of the most studied botanical activities for this are sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and rosehip (Rosa rubiginosa or Rosa canina). In India's tropical climate, how you store, time, and apply these oils matters as much as the formula.

Sea buckthorn vs rosehip: a quick comparison

Do stretch marks oils actually prevent pregnancy stretch marks?

The honest answer is "no topical preparation has been proven to prevent them." The 2012 Cochrane review (Brennan, Young, Devane), which pooled six trials and 800 women, found no high-quality evidence that any topical product prevents stretch marks in pregnancy. A 2015 British Journal of Dermatology review reached the same conclusion across cocoa butter, olive oil, almond oil, and tretinoin.

What oils plausibly do is different from preventing stretch marks. They improve skin hydration, reduce trans-epidermal water loss, support barrier function, and reduce itching as skin stretches. Some ingredients (notably rosehip-derived natural vitamin A) have shown modest benefit for scar appearance after marks appear. The goal of a pregnancy oil is not to guarantee unmarked skin. It is to keep the skin barrier strong, reduce discomfort, and support faster fading after delivery.

What is sea buckthorn oil and how does it work?

Sea buckthorn oil comes from the bright-orange berries of Hippophae rhamnoides, a hardy shrub native to the Himalayas and Central Asia. The plant yields two distinct oils: pulp oil (from the berry flesh) and seed oil. They differ in fatty acid profile.

The pulp oil is unusual because it contains 32 to 42 percent palmitoleic acid (omega-7), a fatty acid naturally present in human skin and sebum. This is rare among plant oils. The seed oil is rich in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid in roughly equal parts. Together, these fatty acids reinforce the skin's lipid barrier and reduce water loss.

Beyond fatty acids, sea buckthorn carries carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene), tocopherols, and flavonoids such as isorhamnetin and quercetin. These contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, which matters in pregnancy because the same hormones that thin connective tissue amplify low-grade skin inflammation and itch.

What is rosehip oil and how does it work?

Rosehip oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of wild rose species, most commonly Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa canina. Its fatty acid profile is roughly 54 percent linoleic acid, 17 percent alpha-linolenic acid, and 16 percent oleic acid. Linoleic acid is a key component of the skin's lipid lamellae, which is why rosehip-rich oils tend to absorb cleanly and feel light.

The most-cited rosehip evidence is a 2015 prospective study by Valerón-Almazán and colleagues in 108 patients undergoing dermatological surgery. Pure rosehip seed oil applied twice daily for 12 weeks was associated with reduced erythema, discoloration, and atrophy of post-surgical scars. The evidence is for scars after they appear, not for preventing stretch marks before they form.

Rosehip also contains naturally occurring trans-retinoic acid in trace amounts (typically 0.001 to 0.1 percent), which is what feeds the "natural retinol" framing in marketing. The concentration is orders of magnitude below prescription tretinoin.

Is rosehip oil safe during pregnancy?

The strict precaution from most obstetric guidance is that topical retinoids should be avoided in pregnancy. Rosehip oil contains trace trans-retinoic acid, which technically falls in that family. However, the dose in cosmetic rosehip seed oil is far below pharmacological retinoid doses, and existing pharmacokinetic data has not shown clinically relevant systemic absorption from topical use. Most obstetric dermatologists treat cosmetic-grade rosehip oil as low-risk in pregnancy, especially when used at night in a stretch-mark formulation rather than on the face.

Mylo's stretch marks oil, which combines rosehip with sea buckthorn, argan, and coconut, is positioned by the brand as safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you have a personal history of skin sensitivity, run it past your obstetrician first.

How does India's tropical climate affect how a stretch marks oil works?

Hot, humid weather changes three things: how the oil behaves on skin, how it stores, and how comfortably you can use it.

Oxidation: Sea buckthorn and rosehip are PUFA-rich oils, which are oxidation-prone. Above 25°C, with light exposure, oxidation accelerates and the oil can go rancid faster than the printed expiry suggests. Rancid oil smells sharp and can irritate skin instead of soothing it.

Application comfort: An oil layered on a warm, sweaty belly in 80 percent humidity can feel heavy and may trap heat, occasionally triggering miliaria (heat rash). Let the oil absorb fully, cool down, then dress.

Sun and timing: Trace trans-retinoic acid in rosehip can mildly raise photosensitivity. Indian UV is high year-round across most of the country. Night application sidesteps this.

When should you start using stretch marks oil in pregnancy?

Most product instructions, including Mylo's, recommend starting from the first month. Stretch marks begin forming before they become visible. The Indian KPC-Silchar 2018 study found the mean gestational age at first noticing marks was 27.4 weeks, but the dermal changes underlying them start well before. Early, consistent application supports hydration through the months when skin stretches fastest (weeks 24 to 40), and again postpartum as skin contracts.

Cream or oil, which works better for stretch marks?

They do different jobs. A cream (water-in-oil emulsion) absorbs faster and feels lighter, making it the easier day-time product. An oil sits longer on the skin, provides deeper occlusion, and works best at night. The Mylo Day & Night Kit, which pairs the Stretch Marks Cream for daytime with the Stretch Marks Oil for night, follows this logic and is what most obstetric dermatologists recommend in tropical climates.

How should you store stretch mark oil in India?

Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight, away from the bathroom window, and ideally below 25°C. If your home runs hot through summer, a bedroom drawer or cupboard away from external walls beats a vanity shelf. Replace the oil if the colour darkens noticeably or the scent turns sharp. For practical use guidance, see Mylo's guide to choosing and using a stretch mark oil.

FAQs

Can I use stretch marks oil from the first month of pregnancy? Yes. Most pregnancy stretch marks oils, including the Mylo formulation, are designed for use from early pregnancy through breastfeeding.

Is sea buckthorn oil safe in pregnancy? Topical sea buckthorn has no known pregnancy contraindication. Oral high-dose use is a separate matter and should be discussed with a clinician.

Does rosehip oil cause photosensitivity in tropical sun? Mildly, due to trace natural trans-retinoic acid. Night use avoids this and is the standard recommendation in Indian climate.

How often should I apply stretch marks oil? Mylo recommends the cream twice during the day and the oil once at night, or oil alone at night if not using a cream. Consistency matters more than quantity. A 3-month minimum of daily use is typical before judging the effect.

Can I use coconut oil instead? Coconut oil moisturises but lacks the specific fatty acid profile and antioxidants of sea buckthorn and rosehip. It works as a base, not a substitute for a targeted formulation.

What if my stretch marks oil smells different than when I bought it? Trust your nose. A sharp, off, or fishy scent means oxidation. Replace the bottle rather than risk skin irritation.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not medical advice. If you have a history of skin sensitivity or specific obstetric concerns, consult your obstetrician or dermatologist before starting any new topical product.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shruti Tanwar, MBBS, MD (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) on 27 June 2026

Last updated: 30 June 2026

Sources

1. Brennan M, Young G, Devane D. Topical preparations for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;11:CD000066.

2. Korgavkar K, Wang F. Stretch marks during pregnancy: a review of topical prevention. British Journal of Dermatology 2015;172:606-615.

3. Zhao S, Zhang H, Zhang J, et al. Fatty Acid Composition of Developing Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Berry and the Transcriptome of the Mature Seed. PLOS ONE 2012;7(4):e34099.

4. Bal LM, Meda V, Naik SN, Satya S. Sea buckthorn berries: A potential source of valuable nutrients for nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. (cited via PMC10662087 review of bioactive constituents and mechanism of action.)

5. Valerón-Almazán P, Gómez-Duaso AJ, Santana-Molina N, García-Bello MA, Carretero-Hernández G. Evolution of Post-Surgical Scars Treated with Pure Rosehip Seed Oil. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications 2015;5:161-167.

6. Belkhelladi M, Bougrine A. Rosehip extract and wound healing: A review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024.

7. Nandi N, Choudhury AP. Evaluation of prevalence and impact of Striae gravidarum on the dermatology-specific quality of life in pregnant women. MedPulse International Journal of Gynaecology 2018;6(3):52-54.

8. Mylo Stretch Marks Oil with Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip, Argan & Coconut Oil — product page and ingredient declaration. https://mylofamily.com/product/stretch-marks-oil-with-sea-buckthorn-rosehip-argan-coconut-oil-scars-stretch-mark-lightening-natural-847?srsltid=AfmBOopT8m-57psjzLwlHfC0ZQiD3D3QxsC8_1NhiI4j4H_OPx0IsQeK