Tissue oil is the South African name for a light cosmetic skin oil used on scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone and dry skin. It is not a registered medicine and it does not remove scars or stretch marks. What it reliably does is moisturise, improve the appearance of skin, and give you a reason to massage the area.
What is Tissue Oil?
Tissue oil is a cosmetic category, not a single product. Several brands are sold in South African pharmacies and supermarkets, and none appears in the South African Medicine Price Registry — which is expected, because cosmetics and general-sale skin products are not registered as scheduled medicines.
(A search of that register for “oil” returns unrelated pharmaceutical products that happen to contain an oil — intravenous nutrition bags, cod liver oil ointments, historical preparations. None of them is tissue oil. If you search the register yourself, disregard those matches.)
Tissue oils are typically blends of light oils with added vitamins and plant extracts, formulated to spread easily and absorb without leaving a heavy film. The exact composition differs by brand — read the ingredient list on your bottle, because that is the only accurate source for what you are actually putting on your skin.
What tissue oil does is straightforward: it moisturises and occludes. Well-hydrated skin looks smoother, more even and less obviously marked than dry skin. That is a real effect, and it is enough to explain most of what people notice.
What it does not do is regenerate tissue. A scar is collagen laid down differently from surrounding skin; a stretch mark is a tear in the dermis that has healed. No topical oil rebuilds either structure. Products in this category can improve how skin looks — the difference between a dry, tight, obvious mark and a supple, less noticeable one — but they do not remove what is underneath.
What is Tissue Oil commonly used for?
- Scars — surgical scars, caesarean scars, healed injuries and healed acne marks, to soften them and reduce their appearance.
- Stretch marks, during and after pregnancy, during adolescent growth, and with weight change.
- Uneven skin tone and areas of discolouration.
- Dry or dehydrated skin, on the body, elbows, heels and hands.
- Ageing skin, for general suppleness.
- Massage, including on babies, though check the product is suitable for infant skin.
- After-sun and post-shaving care, on intact skin.
The honest position on the evidence: results are modest and variable. Studies on topical products for scars and stretch marks generally show small improvements in appearance, and researchers have long noted that the massage involved may account for much of the benefit — massage over a healing scar genuinely helps it soften and flatten. If you use tissue oil, the two or three minutes of firm circular massage is not the packaging around the treatment; it may be the most active part of it.
Two timing points matter:
For stretch marks, prevention beats treatment. Anything applied is far more likely to help while skin is stretching than after marks have settled and turned silvery-white. Established old stretch marks change very little with any topical product.
For scars, wait until healed. Do not apply oil to an open wound, a fresh surgical incision, stitches still in place, or a scab. Wait until the skin is fully closed — usually a few weeks — and ask your surgeon if you are unsure.
How Tissue Oil fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic skin oils | Tissue oil | Moisturises; improves appearance of scars and marks |
| Greasy emollients | Emulsifying ointment, white soft paraffin | Strong barrier repair for eczema and very dry skin |
| Silicone gels and sheets | Silicone scar products | The best-evidenced topical option for raised or thickened scars |
| Topical steroids | Betamethasone (Clomaderm) | Inflammatory skin conditions — not for scars or dryness |
| Antifungals | Clotrimazole (Canex V) | Fungal skin infection |
| Medical scar treatments | Steroid injections, laser, surgical revision | Keloid and hypertrophic scars, under specialist care |
If your goal is a raised, thickened or keloid scar, silicone gel or sheeting has considerably better evidence than an oil, and a doctor can advise on more active options. If your skin is eczematous and very dry, an emollient will do more than a light oil. See the skin and wound care hub.
What to check before using Tissue Oil
- Read the ingredient list. Formulas differ between brands, and some contain fragrance or essential oils that can irritate sensitive skin.
- Check it is suitable for your intended use — face, body, or babies — since not all are.
- Patch test on a small area and wait a day if you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
- Do not apply to broken skin, open wounds, fresh surgical sites, stitches, scabs, burns or infected skin.
- Be careful on the face if you are acne-prone. Oils can worsen breakouts in some people; look for a non-comedogenic product or avoid the face.
- In pregnancy, tissue oils are widely used on the abdomen, but check the label and ask your pharmacist or midwife if it contains vitamin A derivatives or essential oils.
- For a baby, ask a clinic nurse or pharmacist first, and avoid the face and hands.
- Use it consistently. Twice daily for several months is the usual instruction; occasional use will do very little.
- Massage it in properly — firm circular movements for a couple of minutes.
- Note that it can stain clothing and bedding.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Tissue oil is a low-risk product. The usual problems are skin irritation, redness, itching or stinging — most often from fragrance or a plant extract — and acne breakouts where it is used on the face.
Stop using it if the skin becomes red, itchy, bumpy or more irritated after application, and ask a pharmacist about a fragrance-free alternative.
Get emergency help for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash.
See a doctor if:
- A scar is raised, thickened, growing beyond the original wound, painful or itchy — that suggests a hypertrophic or keloid scar, which needs more than an oil.
- A wound is not healing, or becomes red, hot, swollen, painful or starts oozing.
- Stretch marks appear suddenly and widely without an obvious cause such as pregnancy, growth or weight change, particularly with weight gain around the middle, easy bruising or muscle weakness — this occasionally points to a hormonal condition.
- Skin discolouration is new, spreading or changing, or a mole is changing in size, shape or colour. Have that assessed rather than treated cosmetically.
- You are considering a product for a child’s scar or birthmark.
And a reasonable expectation to hold on to: consistent use over months may make a mark less noticeable. If a product promises to remove scars or erase stretch marks, that promise is not one any topical oil can keep.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is tissue oil used for? Improving the appearance of scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone and dry skin. It is a cosmetic moisturising oil, not a registered medicine.
Does it remove stretch marks? No. It can make them look less noticeable by keeping skin supple, and it is more useful applied while skin is stretching than on old, settled marks.
Does it get rid of scars? No topical oil removes a scar. It can soften and improve the look of one. For raised or keloid scars, silicone gel or a doctor’s advice is more effective.
Can I use it on an open wound or fresh stitches? No. Wait until the skin is fully closed and healed, and ask your surgeon if you are unsure.
Is it safe in pregnancy? It is widely used on the abdomen in pregnancy. Check the ingredient list and ask your pharmacist or midwife, particularly about vitamin A derivatives and essential oils.
Can I use it on my face? Some people can; if you are acne-prone, it may cause breakouts. Patch test first and choose a product intended for facial use.
How long before I see a difference? Months, with consistent twice-daily use and massage. Expect a modest change in appearance, not disappearance.