Bio-Oil is a specialist skincare product developed to help improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Its advanced formulation also makes it extremely effective for... more
feeling, does not clog skin pores. Smoothes the skin and creates a more radiant complexion. Reduces sagging and fine line. Helps to relieve tension. Enhances...
A review by perfectlypolished on Bio-Oil Face Cream November 4th, 2008
Author's product rating:
How easily is it absorbed?
Fast absorbed
Value for money
Satisfactory
Advantages:
Easy and pleasant to use .
Disadvantages:
No guarantee it will work for you as we are all different .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
My favourite facial moisturiser was half price at Tesco's and having bagged myself a bargain I was perusing the shelves and I noticed the Bio-Oil. I have read several positive reviews on the product and thought I would give it a try. My reason for buying is because I have several brown blemishes on my face called melasma.
What is melasma? Well, the short explanation is that it is a skin condition producing irregular brown patches. It has been linked to hormonal causes such as taking the contraceptive pill, pregnancy or HRT (but obviously not all at the same time!) and exposure to UV light. This increase in skin pigmentation does fade naturally over a period of many months but unfortunately it is also likely to reoccur. What can be done? My melasma is caused by sun exposure, not excessive as I always wear a high factor sun screen, but my face is extra sensitive to the UV rays. Some experts suggest chemical peels or bleaching to make these marks less noticeable but that seems far too radical for me. This brings me to trying Bio-Oil.⌂⌂⌂ What is Bio-Oil? ⌂⌂⌂
Bio-Oil is produced in South Africa by Union-Swiss. The company was established in 1954 producing personal care products but since 2004 has concentrated solely on the production, marketing and distribution of Bio-Oil.
Their claim is that Bio-Oil will help improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone and its special ingredient "PurCellin Oil" makes it highly effective for many other skin concerns including aging and dehydrated skin.
The list of ingredients, which can be found at www.bio-oil.info, is vast but the active components would seem to be:
Vitamin A which helps improves the skin's elasticity, texture and tone. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and frequently used in skin creams as it is said to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Both vitamin A and E have a well established pedigree for maintaining a healthy skin.
Calendula oil, which is derived from marigolds and is noted for its soothing and calming effects on the skin.
Ditto the lavender oil, chamomile oil and rosemary oil but obviously they don't come from marigolds!
PurCellin Oil is trade marked and the company says "acts as a delivery system for the other ingredients while at the same time dramatically improving its application and spreadability therefore allowing for targeted absorption into the skin". I would say it is a pleasant light, not too greasy and easily absorbed oil.
While talking about the ingredients it is also worth mentioning there are no preservatives and it is not tested on animals.
⌂⌂⌂ Other things to note ⌂⌂⌂
This peachy coloured oil comes in a clear plastic bottle with white screw lid and is packaged in a white cardboard box with orange writing. There is also an information leaflet that covers most things you will want to know. It is recommended to store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. I cannot see a 'best before' date so can only assume it is fine to use for many months after first opening.
The blurb states this oil is safe to use during pregnancy. Even though excessive vitamin A is not good for the foetus the concentration in this oil, when applied to the skin, is minimal and so completely safe for the babe.
If you are interested in clinical trial results there are some published on the web site. Although I did not read this data in depth, I was struck by the fact that each trial only had 20-30 participants and was commissioned by Union-Swiss (the parent company). Hardly large studies nor, perhaps, impartial? ⌂⌂⌂ My experience. ⌂⌂⌂
When you unscrew the lid you will see a small plastic stopper with an even smaller hole. This means if you turn the bottle upside down the oil comes out in small drops. In fact I don't even use whole drops but put my finger over the stopper and inverted. As I have only been treating a small area, not much larger than a 10p piece, this provides sufficient oil for my needs.
Unsurprisingly, considering the ingredients, the floral aroma is very noticeable. Personally I like it but some may not. I have only been using a small amount at a time so the aroma on my skin is negligible but if you are treating a larger area it will obviously be more noticeable.
⌂⌂⌂ Test one - the reason for buying the oil in the first place. I chose the largest single mark on my lower cheek and jaw so I could compare any fading, or not, with the untreated areas. I rubbed in a small amount of oil on the blemish each morning and night. In the interests of maintaining facial symmetry, I also applied to the cheek and jaw line on the other side of my face. It obviously has an oily feel but seems to sink into the skin quite quickly and doesn't have the lingering slimy feel that something like baby oil does. My skin immediately felt softer which is rather nice.
Does it affect your make up, particularly applying foundation? This is hard for me to judge as I tend to be a low maintenance sort of girl but I would think a liquid foundation would be no problem although something powder based may go on slightly unevenly if applied immediately after the oil. Having said that, I found this to be a light oil which certainly didn't clog my pores or cause an outbreak of spots or blackheads.
After about a month I was wondering whether or not to continue but perseverance is obviously the key. After about 6 weeks I realized my brown mark was slightly paler and after two months it had seemed to have broken into several smaller pale patches more akin to uneven skin tone. Another month on and I would say it would only be noticed by someone actually having a good look and I am certainly feeling good about the results. In my, albeit unscientific test, I would say my melasma had faded in three months to the stage it would have done, if left untreated, after about 8-9 months. Four months on and, although still there, I no longer feel conscious of it and at the end of the day I guess that is what really matters. It is not what others think but how you feel about yourself.
⌂⌂⌂ Test two. Having been pleased with the results at two months I decided to try the Bio-Oil on a scar on my knee. At school I fell over playing tennis and broke my arm. The hospital was more concerned about the arm and just stuck a plaster on my profusely bleeding knee. I now have a raised pink circular scar on my right knee. I used the Bio-Oil twice a day on my knee for four months before giving up with no noticeable changes. It is probably unfair to expect an old scar (it's impolite to ask a girl her age but lets say I was at school some 30 years ago) to fade; it has probably long since healed all nature intends. It is worth mentioning here that the oil is absorbed quickly enough not to have any hesitation about applying it soon before wearing tights or trousers. ⌂⌂⌂ My test conclusions. ⌂⌂⌂
I would suggest that perhaps on a fresh scar or blemish, which is still being healed by the body, the Bio-Oil accelerates the process. On something more established I personally could find no benefit.
⌂⌂⌂ Value for money ⌂⌂⌂
I bought a 60ml bottle costing just over £6.00 in Tesco's. I have also seen it in other supermarkets and high street chemists although usually costing slightly more. In about four months I have used about a third which seems to me to be very good value for money. A little certainly goes a long way. If you are using it on a larger body area, for example to prevent stretch marks on the stomach or thighs during pregnancy, I would suggest buying a larger bottle as this is more economical. It is also available in 125ml and 200ml sizes. ⌂⌂⌂ Do I recommend? ⌂⌂⌂
I would without hesitation recommend this for any fairly recent scar or blemish; although I should point out it should not be applied to broken skin. I would also, were I young enough, happily use it during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks as it certainly makes the skin feel softer and more supple.
More information can be found at www.bio-oil.info, or if you prefer you can write to: Bio Oil, Keylines Brands Ltd PO Box 323 Middlesex, UB2 4TA U.K.
Ciao categorize this as a 'face cream'. It is certainly not a cream nor exclusively for the face.
Advantages: It really does work, perfect for anyone of any age, smells lovely. Disadvantages: Slightly over priced.
...magazine for a product called Bio-Oil I had to find out more about it…. Having taken a liking to what I had researched, I then headed straight down to my local Boots store to buy some…
**Bio-Oil History**
Scientists for years have attempted to develop a unique oil that will replicate the same properties of the human skin and they did this by bizarrely enough, studying ducks. After studying the preen gland oil of a duck, skincare scientists realised ... ...the main, unique ingredient of Bio-Oil - 'PurCellin Oil'. This ingredient works by coating a thin protective layer over the skins surface aiding the penetration of the other more common natural oils that Bio-Oil contains: Lavender, Calendula and Rosemary Oil. This is something that no other product on the market does. This is why I find Bio-Oil to be so special. Bio-Oil contains only natural herbal ingredients and has no preservatives (Unlike a lot ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: It actually works Disadvantages: None i can think of
...would recommend and she brought Bio-oil to my attention, and I thank her for this.
I was a bit dubious at first as it costs around £10 for a 60ml bottle of the stuff, but it was money well spent. You can get it online however for a great price of £5.99 for 60ml at www.multipharmacy.com they also do two 150ml bottles for £20.
I apply it every night before going to bed, and although it does not get rid of my stretch marks it does make them fainter ... ...and don't itch at all anymore. I also have a scar on my tummy from an operation and it has worked it's magical wonders on it also. When using this you must apply it in a circular motion as this helps with circulation.
The box is bright white and orange in colour and not easily missed, so it's always easy to find in any chemist, such as Boots, Superdrug, Semi Chem, etc. It comes with a screw top cap, which is very good at stopping leakages, my survived ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Reduces stretchmarks, uneven skin tone, scars etc Disadvantages: A little bit expensive but worth it
I have been using Bio Oil twice a day for the last six months and I am amazed at the results. I had never heard of Bio Oil before until my mum bought me a bottle, she bought me a bottle of it because I was forever complaining about the appearance of the stretch marks I have on my belly and boobs.
My stretch marks started appearing at the age of seventeen when I was pregnant my son and I'm now twenty two. So for the last five years I have been really ... ...purple and clearly visible. I was convinced that the stretch marks would always remain the same colour and never fade, I even nicknamed my stretch marked belly, I call it my Freddie Crougar belly. Bio Oil is an oil based substance which can be used to treat and reduce the appearance of skin problems such as scars stretch marks and blemishes. Bio Oil is oil based and has a gorgeous scent which is quite light and calming. The Bio Oil is quite runny ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Improves the appearance of your skin Disadvantages: None
...less prominent was to apply Bio-oil daily. I had heard of this product before but hadn't really paid much attention to it, so I went out and bought a bottle and started to rub it into Erin's scars daily. At first I personally found this quite upsetting with the large scar being very red, quite raised and rough and the 5 smaller keyhole incisions also being quite red. I was scared I would hurt Erin whilst rubbing the oil into her skin but gradually ... ...similar to baby oil. Bio-oil is available in 3 different sizes 60mls, 125mls and 250mls. Being an oil it can be slightly tricky to apply but once you've done it a few times you can easily work out the best way to apply the oil successfully to the problem areas. I find it easiest to put a few drops in the palm of my hand and then massage gently to Erin's tummy. I like to massage the area for a good few minutes making sure the oil is completely absorbed. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Good results over time, easy to apply, lots of benefits Disadvantages: Not instaneous, but Rome wasn't built in a day
I was first introduced to Bio Oil about some years ago. My sister had recommended this product after she had her baby and it had left her with unsightly stretch marks that refused to budge even with recommended stretch mark creams. When I was younger I had a serious accident that left me scarred and being so young I was very conscious about my appearance and refused to show my arms and legs off after the scarring left behind numerous operations. ... ...the world at my feet, I was in my final year at secondary school and was studying hard for my impending exams. As well as revising I had two part time jobs; a couple of evenings a week I worked in our local village shop and at weekends I was in the Territorial Army. I had always wanted to make a career in the forces and this was a great way of getting the experience before jumping into it without knowing much about it. It was while taking part on ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Really detoxes the skin! Disadvantages: Pricey
...I'm gradually working my way through the Lush face masks, I must admit I'm slightly addicted...okay I'm completely addicted and not ashamed to say so. I'm so in love with the fact that the products are made with pure thought and devotion that no other cosmetic company rivals them.
As I've come out the winter, spring and now coming into the summer I have suffered horrendously with bad, dry skin and unfortunately due to have a few patches of eczema on my face, mainly my forehead I now have very slight blemishes, which of course I notice everytime I look in a mirror! It starts to get depressing especially when your foundation cannot cover them up. After using Dream Cream on my face for nearly a year as great as it moisturised it doesn't exclude blemishes.
After having a look at other facecreams and bio-oil in particular (I then excluded...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Bio-Oil is a specialist skincare product developed to help improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Its advanced formulation also makes it extremely effective for numerous other skin concerns. It helps promote even skin tone, nourishes ageing skin and provides intensive lubrication to dry, flaky skin. Bio-Oil is a rapidly absorbed “dry” oil and leaves no oily residue.
Bio-Oil contains the unique ingredient PurCellin Oil™, vitamins A and E, Calendula, Lavender and Rosemary oils and Chamomile extract. It contains no preservatives and is suitable for all skin types.
