Cocoa butter has moisturizing abilities and antioxidant properties. In a 2008 article for Alive: Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition, health and beauty expert, Christina Denni calls it a "natural stretch mark-erasing ingredient" and suggests using crèmes and lotions with cocoa butter to prevent and reduce stretch marks. Proponents of cocoa butter as a stretch mark healer say it both keeps the skin moist and penetrates the top layer of skin.

On the Other: No Amount of Moisture Can Heal Tiny Skin Tears

Health writer Juno Demelo explains that stretch marks are tiny tears in skin's fibers that can't be repaired by moisturizing. She refers to a study the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon conducted, noting that its lead author, Dr. Anwar Nassar, concluded, "Some experts believe keeping skin hydrated makes it more resilient, but that's not the case." A 2009 New York Times article agrees. Writer Anahad O'Connor references a blind study that showed no difference in stretch marks between a group of women using cocoa butter and another group using a placebo.

Bottom Line

Cocoa butter will help moisturize skin, a plus for skin health in general. It likely won't heal the skin abrasions caused by rapid weight change during pregnancy, weight training or weight loss.

Source:

Alive: Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition: "Beauty & Style," Christina Denni, August 2008.

Shape: "Cocoa Butter Prevents Stretch Marks," Juno Demelo, January 2009.

The New York Times: "The Claim: Coca Butter Can Remove Stretch Marks, Anahad O'Connor, September 2009.