I know what you’re thinking. Our grandmothers did not have stretch marks. Those were the good old days when life was simple, no one wore makeup and everyone stood around the piano singing war songs for their evening entertainment. Nobody cared about getting rid of stretch marks because they just didn’t exist.

I hate to burst your bubble, but stretch marks are not a modern phenomenon. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers suffered from the same unsightly marks on their stomachs and thighs, but had to find simple, natural methods to fade and remove them because they didn’t have expensive cosmetic treatments at their disposal.

In my teens, my siblings and I experienced a growth spurt. However, while they were growing up, I was growing out. They developed stretch marks on their bulging biceps, while mine appeared on my plump tummy and thunderous thighs.

Fortunately, my grandmother came to the rescue and taught me a few things about how to prevent, reduce and eliminate stretch marks. I may not have always understood the science behind the advice she gave me, but I knew it worked because it had worked for her and her mother and grandmother before her.

Grandma’s Wisdom #1: Drink lots of water

Keeping your body properly hydrated will ensure that your skin always receives plenty of moisture from within. Your skin will remain supple and less prone to stretching beyond its limits. Of course, in the old days they used to drink tap water. Horror! Nowadays, I suggest bottled or filtered water.

Grandma’s Wisdom #2: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

This might have been the way my grandmother made us eat our brussels sprouts and spinach, but it’s sound advice. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamins and minerals that feed the skin, as well as provide another source of water for the body.

Grandma’s Wisdom #3: Use Vaseline

No need for expensive creams and treatments, just rub Vaseline or baby oil into your skin regularly. There are many home remedies you can use that don’t cost a fortune but can still give you great results on stretch marks. Rubbing Vaseline or baby oil into the skin immediately after showering will help to lock in moisture in the skin. Inexpensive products like shea or cocoa butter, or avocado, coconut, or almond oil will also work.

Grandma’s Wisdom #4: Love yourself exactly as you are

You are beautiful just the way you are. Not what you want to hear when you’re stressed about your ugly belly, right? But Grandma was right; your beauty is not linked to whether you have stretch marks or not. 90% of pregnant women will have stretch marks, so she is not alone, and although they may seem obvious to her, they will go unnoticed by those around her.

There’s another good reason not to stress about stretch marks. Stress plays a role in many of our health problems, and your skin is no exception. Try some stress-busting remedies, and your body will thank you in many ways.

Grandma wasn’t always right. My face didn’t stay in its ugly pose when the wind changed, eating my scabs didn’t make my hair frizzy, and Scrabble isn’t the best board game in the world, but when it comes to tips to get rid of stretch marks she had a wisdom worth hearing.