Skin is the human body’s largest and heaviest organ. The average adult’s skin measures 19 square feet and weighs about nine pounds. No wonder it gets a few scars and stretch marks! Here’s what to use to help smooth away those rough spots.

Stretch marks occur when the skin gets stretched (obviously) and suffers small microtraumas under the outer layer. To help prevent stretch marks, or to help fade their appearance, give coconut oil a try. (It also helps fade other scars and blemishes on the skin.)

Bruce Fife, ND, director of the Coconut Research Center in Colorado Springs—and the man we refer to as “The Coconut King”—recommends the daily use of virgin coconut oil (available at health-food stores or online at Amazon.com) to help prevent stretch marks. It’s especially appropriate for pregnant women and body builders, who are prone to developing these unsightly scars. If you already have stretch marks or scars or blemishes of any kind (from, say, cuts or minor burns), they will fade with less scarring if you smooth on coconut oil every day.

What to do: Dr. Fife says to put the container of coconut oil in hot water until the oil is very warm—that way, it will be absorbed more efficiently and penetrate deeper into the skin. Massaging the oil into your skin also increases absorption. The secret to getting the best and fastest result is to keep the coconut oil on the injured skin continually until the blemish fades. Cover the oil with a clean white cloth or gauze bandage, then put a piece of plastic wrap over the gauze and keep it all in place with medical tape.

Bonus: Your healing skin will smell like a tropical paradise!

More natural skin healers…

• Soothe Rough Skin with This…

• Natural Secrets to Healthier Skin

• Natural Age Spot Remover