Paula Begoun's review of Bio-Oil
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free skin care · Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:14 pm

Claims:
Bio-Oil is a specialist skincare product that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Its advanced formulation, which contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil, also makes it highly effective for numerous other skin concerns, including aging skin and dehydrated skin.

Review:
Bio-Oil is a product I’m asked about regularly, mostly because it claims to tackle scars, stretch marks, and uneven skin tone, something many people are dealing with. The company maintains that it uses a “breakthrough ingredient” known as PurCellin oil. As it turns out, this oil is derived from ducks (it is the substance ducks secrete from their skin to keep their feathers waterproof), but it has absolutely no research proving it affects the skin concerns that Bio-Oil is touted as being able to treat. In fact, PurCellin oil isn’t even included on Bio-Oil’s ingredient list. Instead, you’re applying a mix of mineral oil and emollients to your skin, along with commonplace vitamins and some irritating fragrant plant oils (which is at best confusing and strangely misleading). Several irritating fragrance ingredients are included, too, all of which adds up to an unabashedly poor product that should not be taken seriously because it simply doesn’t make scars and stretch marks less apparent. All this can realistically do (beyond irritating skin) is provide some moisturizing benefit. That can help minimally if your skin is dry, but it won’t change any other aspect of scarring, nor will it improve an uneven skin tone.

Ingredients:
Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Triisononanoin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Bht, Bisabolol, Parfum (Fragrance), Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Red 17.

free skin care · Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:58 pm

Thanks edenfield! Your post grabbed my attention. Some time ago I purchased this oil to see if it would help the scar from my foot surgery (100 stitches). Can't say I have used it very often. Like a lot of things, it is collecting dust in my cabinet.

Must say that Bio Oil does get some impressive reviews on Drugstore.com

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=165709&catid=22851&crpg=4&tab=1#1

free skin care · Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:14 pm

I finally found this at my local drug store.But reading the ingredients...mineral oil Sad

I have learned so much from this forum. I can now make wiser choices.

Thanks all for sharing.
Smile

free skin care · Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:31 am

Great post.....I used Bio Oil, many years ago now when it first came out here and I must say that it didn't work for me, at all!

I've read so many reviews since then from people who are extremely impressed with the product but it was a disappointing product for myself at least.

Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:39 am

I wanted to buy it too, until I read the ingredient list. I was dissappointed that this is mainly mineral-oil based, and couldn't find any other ground-breaking ingredient.
Surprisingly, a lot of people say this has worked for them, including people I know.

free skin care · Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:28 pm

i'm pregnant and currently trying bio-oil for stretchmark prevention...
i like the texture and scent...
i'll come back to do a review on stretchmarks later..

i've tried bio-oil on dry patches on my forehead and it didnt cause any breakouts or sensitivity issues...

free skin care · Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:57 pm

i used this several times daily for a second degree ironing burn, i did notice significant reduction in scarring, but when you analyse the ingredients you wonder if it is just the simple action of frequently massaging with an oil (any oil) that helps to reduce scarring. i have used it intermittently on leg scars but it does not work so well because it is quite cumbersome to massage frequently.

free skin care · Sun May 04, 2008 9:20 pm

where IS the purcellin oil in the ingredients list? i couldn't find it anywhere...

free skin care · Sun May 04, 2008 10:05 pm

edenfield wrote:

where IS the purcellin oil in the ingredients list? i couldn't find it anywhere...

PurCellin Oil™ is a laboratory recreation of the preen gland oil of ducks, and acts as the delivery system for Bio Oils other ingredients.

This link has the complete ingredient list, and a good explanation of what they each do;

http://www.bio-oil.info/en/technical/ingredients

Here is a link to the main ingredient, which is liquid petrolatum;

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/bpc1911/paraffin2.html

I'm not crazy about that ingredient, but the other's had my attention....Nothing is perfect. Sad

free skin care · Sun May 04, 2008 10:28 pm

I tried Bio-Oil, but it did not work for me. Luckily because I bought it from CVS, I was able to return it after I tried it for 30 days.

I still need to try to make my own stretchmark remedies involving helichrysum EO. I got the ingredients, but somehow I feel so lazy to mix them up, or maybe I'm just afraid I'd mess it up.

free skin care · Sun May 04, 2008 11:10 pm

but the above first review states purcelin oil is not even included in the ingrediant list so m confused does bio oil have this ingrediant or no? Is it a lie? Seriously if so then, manufacturers etc can be in serious trouble for misleading consumers

free skin care · Sun May 04, 2008 11:26 pm

even the ingredient list on their site doesn't even list it!!!

free skin care · Mon May 05, 2008 3:55 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

edenfield wrote:

where IS the purcellin oil in the ingredients list? i couldn't find it anywhere...

PurCellin Oil™ is a laboratory recreation of the preen gland oil of ducks, and acts as the delivery system for Bio Oils other ingredients.

This link has the complete ingredient list, and a good explanation of what they each do;

http://www.bio-oil.info/en/technical/ingredients

Here is a link to the main ingredient, which is liquid petrolatum;

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/bpc1911/paraffin2.html

I'm not crazy about that ingredient, but the other's had my attention....Nothing is perfect. Sad

DRRRRR! Did anybody read the links above....PurCellin is lab created as something to help the other 'oils' absorb..

free skin care · Mon May 05, 2008 5:09 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

edenfield wrote:

where IS the purcellin oil in the ingredients list? i couldn't find it anywhere...

PurCellin Oil™ is a laboratory recreation of the preen gland oil of ducks, and acts as the delivery system for Bio Oils other ingredients.

This link has the complete ingredient list, and a good explanation of what they each do;

http://www.bio-oil.info/en/technical/ingredients

Here is a link to the main ingredient, which is liquid petrolatum;

http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/bpc1911/paraffin2.html

I'm not crazy about that ingredient, but the other's had my attention....Nothing is perfect. Sad

DRRRRR! Did anybody read the links above....PurCellin is lab created as something to help the other 'oils' absorb..

right..and where is it on this list?

Paraffinum Liquidum
Triisononanoin
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Isopropyl Myristate
Retinyl Palmitate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
BHT
Bisabolol
Parfum
Amyl Cinnamal
Benzyl Salicylate
Citronellol
Coumarin
Eugenol
Geraniol
Hydroxycitronellal
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Limonene
Linalool
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
CI 26100

free skin care · Mon May 05, 2008 7:16 pm

Aha! That's the sneaky part edenfield... PurCellin is the delivery system, it's not any one particular ingredient.

If I had to guess, I would say it's a combination of the little known last several ingredients in the list..

The oils themselves are really nice ones, but the liquid paraffin, and some of the other chemicals, I could do without..

Speaking of oils though, just want to share, that I bought an 8oz can of cold pressed avacado oil last week, and it's fabulous... I've been putting a little on after cleansing, and it really is nice.

free skin care · Mon May 05, 2008 7:49 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

Aha! That's the sneaky part edenfield... PurCellin is the delivery system, it's not any one particular ingredient.

oh gosh, now i see...how utterly...utterly...blech!!!!

free skin care · Tue May 06, 2008 6:10 pm

hi Kassy thanks that makes things alot clear. I know this product has had mixed reveiws in terms of working and not working. I know i have used this as well my self few years back for stretch marks and uneven skin tone and then used it on or off. So i have used about 4-5 bottles of this over the years. But i can say that while it moisturizes the skin like any other oil it did not actually treat the problem areas for me.

free skin care · Tue May 06, 2008 8:13 pm

It seems like an okay oil for the body, but I don't think I'd like it for my face..

What I love now and then on my face in a light layer is cold pressed avacado oil....yummy and natural!

free skin care · Thu May 08, 2008 9:02 pm

Kassy_A wrote:

It seems like an okay oil for the body, but I don't think I'd like it for my face..

What I love now and then on my face in a light layer is cold pressed avacado oil....yummy and natural!

I read that avocado oil is good for getting rid of age spots. Have you used it for that purpose? Do you apply it before the other cream or serum, or do you save it for last? Thank you.

free skin care · Thu May 08, 2008 11:26 pm

Hi Ruk; I don't have any age spots or hyper-pigmentation anymore, but I have only just begun to use avacado oil, so I don't know what affect it would have on age spots.

I bought the avacado oil because I'm interested in cutting out the majority of chemicals + actives I have used in the past, and adding more natural products.

My skin is in the best shape of my life, and is happily responding to a less is more regime.

I apply a thin layer of the avacado oil after a vigorous manual exfoliation I do a couple of times per week at night. It has a very calming effect, sinks in quickly and leaves my skin very soft and moist. (This is a head to toe routine.)

I see no reason why you couldn't add it to whatever cream you use now. It doesn't have any chemicals or preservatives, so interaction shouldn't be a concern..

The other thing is it needs to be refrigerated after opening. (I bought the 8oz bottle, which will last a fairly long time).

free skin care · Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:41 am

I've been using bio-oil for a few years now, I do use other oils as well (camellia, olive, coconut) but I actually really enjoy using this oil. I found it to be very moisturising, didn't break me out, and kept my skin nice and plump and healthy. I'm not using it at the moment as I'm trying other things, but I will probably try and incorporate this into my routine, e.g. one day a week use bio-oil, as I find it to be very gentle, not overly greasy etc..

I haven't kept tabs on whether its helped with scars or marks though, but a friend swears by this for his acne scars so maybe its good for some!

free skin care · Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:43 am

oh, and I used to use this around my eyes too, its great for keeping the eye area moist - I wouldn't recommend daytime use for this, but its fantastic at night

free skin care · Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:01 am

I ended up throwing it away. My derm/surgeon had me use mederma on my scars from my blephs and it worked great. The bio oil made me break out in little tiny bumps and just wouldn't hydrate for me. I had to use their recommended aquaphor after the laser which was a godsend until my baby skin toughened back up enough to use my regular stuff.

Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:19 am

Ok people, this is the explanation:
The purcellin oil is - cetearyl ethylhexanoate.
It is really awesome, I use it for my hair and skin. However, don't use biooil as it contains mineral oil and a lot of other stuff in it. Always read the ingredient list!!! Get pure cetearyl ethylhexanoate oil (with nothing else added to it), you can find it on the net and order it online. Hope this helps...

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