I love body oils but I always passed over Bio-Oil in the pharmacy. It could be the plain packaging or the rather unattractive ads on TV. Or it could also be that I am quite picky about oils I put on my face, and for my body, I go for something that relaxes. I was offered a chance to try this quite a few months ago so I decided to give it a go.
When my sister was pregnant, we were doing some research on how to combat stretch marks and one of the oils that came recommended was Bio-Oil (She eventually went with Clarins, however. Thank goodness too, because that smells a heck of a lot better!) From what I remember of the TV ads, this oil also helps to reduce scarring, uneven skin tone and ageing skin.
There is a whole host of things Bio-Oil is supposed to be able to do for skin on body and face, so I was raring to give it a go.
Unfortunately however, I didn’t like it one bit.
I used to think that Bio-Oil was a local brand. I don’t know why LOL! But I found out from the box that it is actually from the UK. Not that it matters, but I just thought to mention that its something that’s available worldwide, and not just locally despite my initial impressions 🙂
The upside of Bio-Oil is its availability and relatively affordable price. It is easily available in most pharmacies, and the price point isn’t very high, starting from just over RM32 for a 60ml bottle. I often see it go on sale too. The bottle is a simple plastic bottle with a transparent orange oil in the bottle. It doesn’t quite pour out orange though. It looks almost clear on skin.
So I said I don’t like this oil and I could not bring myself to try it long enough to see any results because of two reasons – texture and scent.
The texture is quite runny, yet it feels greasy and thick – if I’m making sense. When I spread it on my skin, it hardly absorbs into my skin at all. Yet, it does not feel oily like a cooking oil. It just feels weird. I described it to a friend as feeling like liquid plastic. It is what I imagine plastic would feel like if it was melted and I poured it over my skin. It was weird.
The second thing I did not like is the scent. It has a funny flowery perfumed scent that really bugs my nose. I can handle most fragrances, but this one made me wrinkle my nose and want to scrub the oil off my hands as quickly as I could. It just wasn’t something that was pleasant to my nose.
One more thing that caught my eye when scanning the box was this thing called “Purcellin Oil”. Apparently, this is the oil that ducks use to preen their feathers with to make them waterproof and the Purcellin Oil is a synthetic version of it. Its quite interesting, because I didn’t quite see why I would want to put something to waterproof my skin, assuming it works the same way. However, a bit of research online yielded results that it is not an oil per se, but a delivery system to help the other oils absorb into the skin. Hmm… doesn’t seem to be working for me.
I know there are people out there who do like using Bio-Oil and for whom it might work to reduce scarring or stretch marks – 2 most common uses I believe. I however, can’t bear to bring it anywhere near my nose because my skin feels like its being suffocated by the texture, and the perfumed scent just really really bugs me.
I do like using oils on my skin but I prefer sticking to something that feels comfortable and that does not feel like plastic. Thus far, the oils I go to help to moisturise my skin, whether on face or body, and I’m a huge fan of aromatherapy and essential oil scents. So Bio-Oil didn’t do it for me at all.
If it did work for you though, I think its great but I will pass on this one. Maybe I’ll soak my feet in it or something.
In a nutshell
Bio-Oil is an affordable mineral based oil that is touted to be very good for many uses ranging from reducing scarring on skin to reducing stretch marks. I did not like it at all for 2 reasons, both sensory – texture and scent. The texture feels heavy on my skin and almost suffocating so I could not bring it anywhere near my face. The perfumed scent too is too strong and powdery for my tastes. I can’t say I like this at all, but there are many who do.
Pros: Affordable
Cons: Strong powdery perfumed scent, Heavy texture when applied on skin, Does not sink into my skin easily or at all
Who will like this: I’m not sure
Here is the ingredient list for your reference.
The first thing to note is that if you dislike mineral oil (it is a known pore clogger), there it is as ingredient #1. I can tolerate mineral oil but naturally, if there is an effective option without then I will opt for the one without. I primarily disliked this one purely thanks to the texture and scent that did not appeal.
If you plan to try this, I would suggest that you pick up the smallest bottle first. If it doesn’t work for you, you won’t feel so bad about it.
Have you used Bio-Oil before? Does it work for you as promised?
I couldn’t get past the product to test it for efficacy so I’m not going to be able to tell you if it does work or it doesn’t. But I will likely just use it on my poor neglected feet. I did pick up a bottle of argan oil recently, because I hear its good stuff, and I have a bottle of rose hip oil which I have used before with good results for reducing scarring. So, I would prefer to stick to those.
Paris B
Bio-Oil Price: RM32.95/60ml, RM54.95/125ml, RM74.95/200ml Availability: Most pharmacies
To be honest, I bought this when I was pregnant with my second child, because it was supposed to be THE product that would prevent stretch marks. Well I had used vitamin E oil and a cream with a lot of vitamin E and that helped quite a bit, but this Bio oil didn’t do a damn thing… well I didn’t use for a very long time because it just didn’t wanna sink in, it just lay there, taunting me…… My conclusion was it couldn’t help if it was just sitting there. So I took it as a pregnant lady and started up using my old products and a nice shower oil. The Bio Oil costs about 10 american dollars here and it was a complete waist. I didn’t even like the smell and I din’t like the texture….. my brother would say: A total crock!
Thank you for sharing, Wojis. So, it would appear that it doesn’t work for some pregnant women either! I think the way it sits on my skin is what bugs me a lot because I like my oils to absorb into my skin, not just sit on top of it.
I did a review on Bio Oil on my blog a little bit ago, I bought it because I had some very light stretch marks on my chest and bum so I thought I’d give this a go, it was like the only stretch mark cream I could afford they’re way to much money, anyway it took about a year of applying it every day but the stretch marks are barely visiable and I loved the smell for some reason I thought it was very earthy and ymmu hahahah I don’t know why, but great post.
Its great to know this works for you Kassandra 🙂 It seems to be one of those things that are love or hate for different people 😉
I’ve been using Bio Oil quite religiously for about 3 years. I had a horrible experience with an anti aging skincare regimen that left my skin looking dull, bumpy and old. I had major crows feet! I cut out that horrible line in preference of more natural skin care and started using Bio Oil as a spot treatment for my crows feet. After 6 months of use I had co workers saying how young I looked, and what was I doing differently?? The lines around my eyes faded. Also, I have noticed my skin change from being dry to much more normal. I am extremely happy with Bio Oil!
Its funny that the complaints are the texture and scent because I don’t notice either. I apply to my skin and let it soak in for a few minutes before applying eye cream. It doesn’t interfere with my makeup or make me look oily. I will say that it is a product you truly have to commit to, as you don’t see results right away. I love it though and it is a staple in my regimen.
I think its a preference thing, Holly. Its great to know that it works so well for you because I think its affordable and if it works, an excellent buy. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I don’t like this oil as well and it smelled really bad (at least to me). I also stopped using it, so can’t tell if it really did something for me or not. But it seems, that it works for a lot of people. My skin is too dry to see any improvement from this oil I think. I need thick oils, they sink in so fast, lol. I really like Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse but not for ‘moisturizing’, rather for the scent and for my hair, on my body it leaves a lingering scent, it’s just a nie ‘side effect’ that is also nourishes my skin a bit. hope you get a chance to try the Nuxe soon.
Oh good, someone who too did not like the smell 😀 I have been reading a lot about Nuxe Huile lately but I am give to understand that its a dry oil and I just don’t do dry oils very well 😛 But once I get to a Nuxe counter, who knows what I’d think! 😛
can’t bring myself to like this, the scent is too overwhelming, and it kills my nose every time. i will be passing it to my sis to treat those mossie bite scars on her legs. not sure if it works though
Haha Ya I remember you don’t like it either. I’m going to try it on my feet 😛
I had no idea it was not a Malaysian brand hahahah… So far it works ok for me. It’s good for when you go for foot massages.
Ooh that’s an idea! Bring your own oil eh? 🙂 I only realised it wasn’t local when I read the box 😛
I swear by Clarins Tonic Oil too. Been telling all my pregger friends to try it. But they feel it is expensive.. boo..It does help to lighten my stretch mark.
Yeah its quite pricey, but hey, if it works, it works! 😉
I tried using this on my face for my scars a few years ago but couldn’t stand the oiliness. A few months ago I tried it again, putting on less and massaging it into my skin. The results are truly amazing! I thought it might cause my skin to break out, but it didn’t! Within a month, my friends were noticing the scars (different skin tone) on my face were less noticeable and wanted to know if I had been going for expensive facials. I recommended it to another friend who also had scars and she had the same results! It’s not only good for different skin tone scars but also for pigmentation.
Really happy with this and I use it almost every night. Would recommend it to anyone who just wants to try it out because it’s affordable and has worked so well for my friend and I.
Great to know that this oil works for your skin Kimberly 🙂 It would appear to really be a love-it-or-hate-it product, based just on the comments 😀
I used this product when I was pregnant (gained 18kgs and a whole lot around the tummy!!!). I was initially going for Clarins as I heard a lot of reviews about it until my sis told me about Bio Oil. Decided to give it a go due to the price point and all I can say is .. IT IS DARN GOOD!!!!! I honestly swear by this product .. after giving birth & losing the baby weight .. NO STRETCH MARKS AT ALL!!!! SERIOUS! Didn’t think there was smell to it though (blame it on pregnancy hormones?). Yes it is on the oily side but heck, anything that DOES NOT give you stretch marks during pregnancy goes for me 🙂
Awesome to know it works for you ML 😀 Its great to be hearing all the pros and cons from all of you, because it goes to know, not everything works for everyone 😉
I used Clarins too the minute I found out I preggers. Religiously applied it everyday and lo and behold, no stretch marks at all.
And I thought Bio-Oil was local too!
That Clarins oil is a very popular choice among the pregnant ladies!
Ugh, I tried out Bio-Oil because it was so raved at one point. It clogged my pores and broke me out in less than a week 🙁
Oh, forgot to mention that it didn’t work on my eczema either. Kinda bummed about it because I was really hoping for a miracle product.
I tried it on my face one day, but the smell and texture put me off, so I never ventured to see if I could handle it.
i used bio oil on my face, i thought it will be safe but it clogs my pores from just one use. now i know why lol, mineral oil clogs pores …
Yep, mineral oil is a known pore clogger, but some people can handle it so maybe that’s why it works for them. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience!
I think the efficiency of Bio-Oil depends on the person using it. I had a friend use it to reduce scarring on her face and within a week the scar looked better! So I try it, but meh, it made my face itch like mad. 🙁
However, the argan oil is definitely something I’d recommend! I put it on fresh acne spots and within a few days the bump just kind of flakes off! If you mix like 2 drops of it with your moisturiser it improves the texture of your skin! Works for my oily combo skin and my mom’s dry skin too. And my sister says it does wonders for the hair! Please please make a review on it one day, I’d love to see if it works well for you! 🙂
Ooh you got me excited to try Argan oil 😀 I’m presently using a Rosehip Oil so I’ll give the Argan oil a go after this trial bout. Actually, since I’m now nursing a spot, I might have to try your argan oil remedy! What brand do you use?
It’s brandless as I bought it online from a seller who says she gets it straight from Morocco. I’ve compared it with the Josie Maran argan oil and the properties seemed the same. But my parents are currently living in the Middle East, and they got some at a cheaper price from a store selling organic products yay!
The key to finding out if the oil is pure or not, I’ve read, it to smell the oil itself. Because it has this unique sour nutty smell lol. They say the stronger the smell, the better it is! Hope it works for you! 😀
Thanks Anis! I’ll go smell mine now 🙂
I tried this because it worked for my mom. But I broke out like a teenager on heat-was too much. Absolutely ruined my skin. Now I’m trying virgin coconut oil, waiting to see how well it will work after some time.
“broke out like a teenager on heat” ROFLOL! 😀 Sorry about that 😛 Hope the coconut oil works for you. I hear its supposed to be quite wonderful. I wouldn’t try it myself. Not a fan of the smell of coconut oil 😛
My mum uses this too – I’m starting to think it’s a “mum” product and not meant for the childless 😛
HAHAHA! Love that 😛
I personally love Bio Oil as it has helped me with scarring etc. Having said that, I do think it belongs in those “hyped up” products category so as is often the case, such products are often a “love it or hate it” type thing. As you said, perhaps a foot soak in it might work…at the least it’ll help soften and smoothen tired feet…:)
i have alot of stertch marks and im wondering how light will the stertch marks become using the bio- oil stertch marks and long does it take to lighten up and the most hardest place for my stertch marks to go away is the back where my arms are and arms…and soaking my skin for awhile does help too
Hai there. I just using bio oil for my old scars. Is it effective after three months?
Totally agree – the ingredient list is truly awful! I love Kneipp Bio Restoring Oil – it is 100% natural oils and certified organic and natural by NATRUE (European certification).