Overview
Bio Oil is a skin cream featured on television as a specialized product that claims to dramatically improve the appearance of skin, including reducing stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and factors that aid in aging skin. Bio Oil primarily advertises via TV informercials, which has brought the product a great deal of publicity in a relatively short period of time.
As Seen on TV products are notorious for not keeping true to their word, but many testimonials claim that Bio Oil helped them to even out skin within weeks. Bio Oil credits this success to PurCellin Oil, an oil specifically developed for use in Bio Oil. This unique oil is drawn from the glands of ducks, which they claim have a similar effect as it does on humans, protecting the skin from further harm. Unfortunately, not that much is said about PureCellin Oil and little information about it is available from any third-party sources. Bio Oil is available everywhere, including popular retail stores and online. It is available in three sizes, ranging from a compact travel size to a heavy-duty size, but typically Bio Oil costs only $19.99 per bottle.
Product Details
The ingredients included in Bio Oil are as follows: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Calendula Oil, Lavendar Oil, Rosemary Oil, Chamomile Oil, PurCellin Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum, Triisononanoin, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sunflower Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, BHT, Bisabolol, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Courmarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone and CI 26100. There are some key ingredients in Bio Oil that may promote skin rejuvenation, including Vitamin A and E. Vitamin A and Vitamin E are notorious for their rejuvenating benefits on the skin and many products, including cocoa butter, are infused with these vitamins to give them an extra boost.
On the other hand, Calendula Oil is mainly used to treat inflammation and skin irritation, along with dry or patchy skin. Other ingredients added, such as Rosemary Oil and Lavendar Oil, appear to be added primarily for fragrance purposes.
Unfortunately there is a huge issue regarding another Bio Oil ingredient, Paraffinum Liquidum, better known as Mineral Oil. Mineral Oil is typically used in cosmetic ingredients as a cheap way to enhance how the cream coats the face, and does not have any cited benefits. In addition, it has numerous side effects, including worsening skin-related conditions such as eczema and acne. Many dermatologists do not recommend using Mineral Oil because it clogs the pores, aggravating the skin. People with any pre-existing skin conditions should avoid Bio Oil if they do not want to aggravate these conditions. Nevertheless, numerous testimonials have not stated this issue, so it may not be a huge problem.
The Good
- Vitamins A and E help nourish the skin with proper antioxidants and help fight the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin.
- Numerous testimonials are very positive about this product.
The Bad
- Contains Mineral Oil, a known skin irritant.
- Contains many synthetic ingredients.
- Does not contain any ingredients that actually reverse the onset of wrinkles and fine lines.
The Bottom Line
It is important that products contain enough anti-wrinkle ingredients in order to effectively target all anti-aging symptoms, and Bio Oil may not contain enough to be truly effective. The use of Mineral Oil is also another concern. The price is moderately cheap, however, and independent testimonials suggest that this one may have potential. Still, we'd choose a product with more sophisticated active ingredients and fewer irritants.
