Bio-Oil is probably the first skincare product I’ve used on my body religiously. Let me tell you why.
Living in New York City as a working mom in your twenties comes with an inherent shock factor. I’ve heard all the questions (How am I balancing work and childcare? Do I dare take my daughter on the subway? Where is she going to go to school?) Well, she’s only two. But, of all the perplexed gasps and reactions, one of my favorite concerns of the childless people: “But… didn’t you get like… stretch marks?!”
Our skin is bound to change. We sit in the sun, we age, we get pregnant, we get hurt. Scars, stretch marks, and breakouts are inevitable. Yet, many of us still strive to retain our youth, picking up any product or treatment to achieve that plump, smooth, butter-soft, baby-like complexion. Everyone has their opinion, but mine is simple. There’s nothing wrong with embracing your body and all the beautiful traces of life that it carries, and there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to zap those marks away.
When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I would be falling under the latter category. I’ve never been one to overcomplicate my skincare routine. To the great horror of my dermatologist, there were only two products I used on my skin as a teenager: soap and water. It wasn’t until I entered my twenties that I started thinking more about cleansing, toning, and moisturizing my skin. During pregnancy, I finally cracked down on skincare. I knew the appearance of stretch marks was largely dependent on genetics, but there were still preventative options.
Bio-Oil was one of them. Mom friends called it their “secret weapon,” my family-friend aesthetician said she recommended it to all her clients, and my dermatologist just had simple directions: “Apply generously.” In much more scientific terms, she also explained that lathering your body in oil helps soften your skin — so it can stretch through pregnancy without scarring. That sounded reasonable enough.
Plus, since each bottle of Bio-Oil is just $12 on Amazon, I figured I wouldn’t be losing out much if it didn’t work.
Pros:
Cons:
Bio-Oil works for every stage of life. While the formula can be used to treat a variety of pigmentation and complexion issues, it’s most commonly used for stretch marks.
According to a 2018 study published in the National Library of Medicine that focused on 80 people with non-hypertrophic scars, 93% said Bio-Oil left a long-lasting soft and supple skin feeling and 51% said that their scars and stretch marks looked less pronounced.
Read on to find out how it worked for me, or go ahead and put it to the test yourself (the brand also offers a Bio-Oil lotion and dry skin gel for a complete skincare setup).
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E and A, Chamomile, Lavender oil, Calendula oil, Rosemary oil
The Bio-Oil formula is not your ordinary body oil. Each bottle is packed with a fusion of nourishing vitamins and antioxidants to keep your skin soothed and hydrated — Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Rosemary Oil, Lavender Oil, and Chamomile Oil, to name just a few. Everything in this formula is pregnancy-safe and vegan, but anyone looking to avoid minerals can opt for the natural formula. The natural formula is fragrance-free and has a 100% natural base of plant oils — including soybean, sunflower seed, and safflower.
If you’re curious about the wide range of benefits of Bio-Oil, I recommend reading more of the findings from the clinical trials. As someone who only began using this product during pregnancy, I wish I’d started sooner. Bio-Oil may be mostly associated with stretch marks, but the formula has also been seen to improve cases of acne, smooth aging, dehydrated skin, and clear up old scarring. In summary, it’s not just a proactive treatment if used properly.
One of the issues many people have with body oils is the fact that they’re greasy by nature. In my experience, the thicker formulas feel especially sticky on clothes and some can even cause my skin to break out. Bio-Oil has a way around this. The formula utilizes Purcellin oil, a breakthrough ingredient that reduces the thickness of the oil and helps it absorb quickly into the skin. This additive helps lock in moisture, without clogging pores or leaving residue all over your clothing.
Like any skincare product, Bio-Oil requires consistent and consecutive use, whether you’re trying to avoid stretchmarks or treating old stretchmarks. If you want results, you have to work for it. For all face or body use, it is recommended to apply Bio-Oil twice a day by rubbing the formula in small circular motions. Results should be noticed after three months. For use during pregnancy, it is recommended to apply the oil from the first trimester through birth (though there’s no harm in sticking with it).
I wasn’t sold on body oil before I started Bio-Oil. However, it seemed far less invasive and cheaper than some retroactive stretchmark treatments like lasers and microneedling. Plus, it was one of the few products I’d been assured was safe for pregnancy. I already suffer from occasional dryness, but my skin began to feel exceptionally tight around the 28-week mark. Applying Bio-Oil provided instant relief. I’d pour it everywhere: belly, thighs, hips, and breasts. While the long-term effects of Bio-Oil worked behind the scenes by softening my skin as it stretched, I can also appreciate the fact that the formula left an immediate, beautiful bright glow. I used it in the sun during my pre-baby beach vacation (pictured above).
One side effect: you’ll smell great. Some women choose to avoid fragrances altogether during pregnancy, but the original formula smells lovely, a bit like baby powder, fresh rosewater, and rosemary oil. Believe me, there were plenty of smells making me nauseous at the time, but Bio-Oil was not one of them. There were even a couple of times I was asked what perfume I was wearing — and I’d tell them it was just a “stretch mark oil.” Perhaps less sexy, but just as effective. One of the best perfumes you can snatch up for under $15.
Now let’s talk about a few of the downsides. As I mentioned earlier, Bio-Oil was my first experience consistently using any product. I struggle with routines, and the idea of a twice-a-day application seemed like a big ask. What I didn’t realize was that my skin was practically begging for it, especially at the end of pregnancy when it was growing itchy from my expanding belly. My only wish would be that the formula was packaged with a pump or a spray top. The formula can spill out of the dispenser pretty fast, which means there were a few times when I wasted some precious oil.
I used Bio-Oil from the third month of pregnancy through birth for a total of six months. While testing, I evaluated based on the efficacy of the ingredients, the ease of use, and the value of the product.
Is Bio-Oil worth it? I escaped pregnancy stretchmark-free — so my easy answer is absolutely. While I can’t attribute this entirely to Bio-Oil, I’m pretty convinced that I would have seen some more marks had I not kept my skin hydrated. I’ve read about pregnant women who have seen marks begin to pop up, and after switching to Bio-Oil they saw a dramatic reduction in the redness. I’ve heard from people who have close-to-erased stretch marks years after major weight gain, weight loss, or pregnancy. This formula seems to be doing its job, which is all you can ask of a $12 skincare product.
The Post spoke with Master Aesthetician, Caroline Abraham, for answers to frequently asked questions about using Bio-Oil.
Abraham pointed out that Bio-Oil has undergone safety assessments and is advertised as safe for pregnant and lactating people, but the best protocol is always to consult a physician when in doubt. “As a professional, I always refer my clients to their doctor before using any beauty products while pregnant,” she suggested. ” Although this product is regulated for pregnancy, it is always important to put safety first as everyone is different and reactions change when hormones of pregnancy are stirred in.”
Most oils help to prevent stretch marks, explained Abraham. Treatment can be a bit trickier. “Unfortunately, those stubborn stripes we get can be very difficult to get rid of but the vitamins included in Bio-Oil can help fade and dissipate the texture of the marks,” she noted.
Abraham has noted that some studies show that Bio-Oil can help improve the skin tone of the face and neck and photoaging of the face. “Oil is a great tool for dehydrated skin along with sensitive skin,” she shared. “If you do include this oil in your facial skin care routine, please remember to cleanse prior and always apply an occlusive to lock in moisture.”
“I would not recommend applying Bio-Oil in open wounds as it can lead to infection,” said Abraham. “Healed-over scars can be a target for this oil to help heal the damaged skin.” She also warns against any internal use of Bio-Oil.
Abraham has indicated that results may vary and will be dependent on how consistent you are with the application, as well as what ” targeted goals” you have for Bio-Oil — whether it’s used for stretch mark prevention, treatment, or overall skin texture improvement. She has recommended setting your expectations and keeping a photo-based progress record so you can track where you are at with the goal of this oil.
When it comes to specific ingredients for stretch marker treatments, Abraham looks for retinoids and tretinoin, which are derived from vitamin A. She loves the Advanced Clinicals Retinol Body Butter, but stresses the importance of consulting a physician, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. “Depending on the severity of these marks, please see a dermatologist to get a prescription of a higher percentage or guidance on over-the-counter retinol,” she added.
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This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.
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