Stretch marks do not only happen during pregnancy. Yet almost every conversation about stretch marks begins and ends there, leaving many women confused, unsupported, and wondering why their skin is changing when there is no baby involved.
At RURUHONEY, we believe every woman deserves to understand her skin at every stage of life. Whether you have just had a baby, lost 10 kilograms, started lifting weights, or simply noticed that your skin feels different as you move through your 40s, you belong in this conversation.
Here is what is actually happening to your skin, and why stretch marks can appear at any point in a woman's life.
What Are Stretch Marks, Really?
Stretch marks, known medically as striae distensae, form in the dermis, the middle layer of your skin. When the skin is stretched faster than it can produce new collagen and elastin fibres, those fibres tear. The result is the linear marks we call stretch marks.
They begin as reddish or purplish streaks (striae rubrae) because the skin is inflamed. Over time they fade to a silvery white (striae albae) as the inflammation settles and the mark matures.
Fresh marks that are still red, pink or purple tend to respond better to care than older white ones. This is why starting early matters.
Can You Get Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?
Yes, and this is the most widely known cause. During pregnancy, the abdomen, breasts, hips and thighs expand rapidly. Combined with hormonal changes that affect collagen, the skin is being stretched while it is also more fragile.
Studies estimate that between 50% and 90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks.
When to start: begin your RURUHONEY Belly Oil ritual from early pregnancy, while your skin is still at its most supple, and keep going after baby arrives.
What helps: RURUHONEY Belly Oil blends 9 botanical oils, including rosehip seed oil (rich in linoleic acid), sweet almond, argan and jojoba, with grapefruit and ylang ylang essential oils, shea butter and vitamin E. Apply it twice daily with a gentle circular massage. It is paraben-free, independently lab tested, and won Best Anti Stretch Mark Oil at the Baby Talk Awards 2025.
Can You Get Stretch Marks from Losing Weight?
Yes, and this surprises many women. During weight loss, especially rapid weight loss, skin that was previously stretched over a larger body may lose some of its elasticity, particularly if the weight comes off faster than the skin can adjust.
What helps: apply RURUHONEY Belly Oil morning and evening on the areas you care about most: abdomen, hips, thighs, upper arms and lower back. The grape seed and olive oils in the formula are rich in polyphenols and fatty acids that help keep skin moisturised and supple as it adjusts. Support your skin from the inside too, with enough protein, vitamin C-rich foods and water.
Can You Get Stretch Marks from Working Out and Building Muscle?
Yes. When muscle mass increases quickly, particularly in the upper arms, shoulders, thighs and buttocks, the skin stretches to make room for the new tissue, and the same tearing of collagen and elastin fibres can happen.
What helps: keep your skin supple and moisturised around your training. Apply RURUHONEY Belly Oil after your shower, on slightly damp skin, so it spreads and absorbs easily. Its grapefruit and ylang ylang scent makes it a pleasant part of a post-workout ritual.
Why Do I Have New Stretch Marks in My 40s?
From the mid-30s onwards, the skin naturally produces less collagen, and estrogen begins to change. As estrogen fluctuates and declines through perimenopause, the dermis becomes thinner and less resilient.
What helps: RURUHONEY Belly Oil is made for every life stage, not just pregnancy. Its rosehip and argan oils help nourish the skin's moisture barrier and keep it supple during these years. Make it a daily ritual of care for yourself.
Stretch Marks at Puberty: Why Teenagers Get Them Too
Puberty brings rapid growth of bone, muscle and fatty tissue, often in a very short time. Girls commonly develop stretch marks on the hips, breasts, thighs and buttocks during growth spurts. This is completely normal, and keeping the skin moisturised helps it feel comfortable as it grows.
How to Care for Your Skin at Every Stage
Whatever the cause and whatever your stage of life, the same simple habits support healthy, comfortable skin:
1. RURUHONEY Belly Oil, twice daily. Apply morning and night on slightly damp skin after your shower.
2. Massage it in. Use gentle circular motions. It helps the oil spread and absorb, and turns a few minutes into a calming ritual.
3. Care from the inside. Eat enough protein, include vitamin C-rich foods, and stay hydrated.
4. Start early. Fresh, red marks tend to respond better to care than older white ones.
5. Be consistent. Skin changes slowly, so daily care matters. Everyone's skin is different, and results vary.
RURUHONEY Belly Oil: 9 botanical oils with shea butter and vitamin E, paraben-free, independently lab tested, and winner of Best Anti Stretch Mark Oil at the Baby Talk Awards 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Can stretch marks appear even if I have not been pregnant or gained weight?
Yes. Stretch marks can appear during puberty growth spurts, muscle gain from exercise, hormonal shifts in perimenopause, or normal skin thinning with age. RURUHONEY Belly Oil is made for skin at every stage, not just pregnancy.
Can you get stretch marks from losing weight?
Yes. During rapid weight loss, skin that was previously stretched loses elasticity. RURUHONEY Belly Oil's grape seed and olive oils are rich in polyphenols and fatty acids that help keep skin moisturised and supple as it adjusts.
Why do I have new stretch marks in my 40s?
From the mid-30s onwards, the skin produces less collagen and less estrogen. As estrogen fluctuates through perimenopause, the dermis becomes thinner and less resilient. RURUHONEY Belly Oil's rosehip and argan oils help nourish the skin's moisture barrier and keep it supple during these years.
When should I start using a stretch mark oil?
If you're pregnant, start from early pregnancy. Otherwise, start as soon as your skin is going through change, such as weight change, training or perimenopause.
What makes RURUHONEY Belly Oil different from other stretch mark oils?
RURUHONEY Belly Oil blends 9 botanical oils (grape seed, sweet almond, coconut, olive, jojoba, argan and rosehip, plus grapefruit and ylang ylang essential oils) with shea butter and vitamin E. It is paraben-free, independently lab tested, and won Best Anti Stretch Mark Oil at the Baby Talk Awards 2025.
Where can I buy RURUHONEY Belly Oil in Malaysia?
Available at ruruhoney.co, TikTok Shop, Shopee, Healthlane and 150+ Watsons stores nationwide.