Good moisturiser, but don't expect miracles. (Bio Oil)

Member Name: Furrball

Product:	Bio Oil
Date:	24/09/09 (951 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent moisturising qualities, absorbs well, a little goes a long way.

Disadvantages: High prices, not always effective on skin discoloration and strectch marks

I've been using Bio-Oil for 12 months and for a number of different uses. I originally purchased it to see if to would help improve discolouration of the skin, but have since experimented with it for a number of uses including as a shaving oil, shower/bath oil and face treatment. The results were hit and miss.

I'd returned from a beach holiday with a dark freckled line above my upper lip which didn't fade along with the rest of my tan and freckles. It looked like I had a moustache! I'd heard claims about bio-oil improving uneven skin tone, so decided to give it a go.

The price was a little high, but once I'd started using it, I found a little went a long way. I rubbed a small bit of oil on the affected area twice a day during my normal skin care routine. I had worried about using an oil on my face, as I don't like a greasy feeling. I was pleasantly surprised that it absorbed into my skin very well and never left an oily residue. As I was using it just beneath my nose I had worried that the smell would be a little overpowering. Thankfully the smell was quite gentle, although slightly medicated. Aswell as using it on my freckle moustache, I decided to give it a go on some stretch marks I'd gained 15 years previously and on a large keloid scar on my decolletage.

After about three weeks, the freckle moustache had completely gone - I was over the moon. However there was no effect on the stretch marks or on the colour of my keloid scar (I never expected it alter the size or shape of the scar). However, my skin did feel better moisturised in these areas than it had done for some time.

This year, whilst enjoying the sunshine, my freckle moustache returned. I reached straight for the bio-oil, but three months on its had absolutely no effect. My freckle moustache hasn't faded in the slightest. I have no idea why it seemed to work last year but not this time around.

I've experimented with the Bio-Oil for a few more uses. I'd ran out of shaving gel and didn't want to shave my legs with just a razor and water. I used a few drops of Bio-Oil as a shaving aid and it worked very well. My legs didn't feel as irritated as when I normally shaved and my legs felt moisturised when I got out of the bath. After using it a few times as a shaving oil, my skin tone on my legs seemed to improve. Because of the good moisturising effect it had on my legs, I started using it as a bath/shower oil. I also used it as an occasional face treatment when my skin felt particularly dry. I put it on in a warm bath or shower, and left it for 3-5 minutes before I washed off. It absorbed well, left my face feeling soft and my skin glowed.

Overall, the moisturising effects of Bio-Oil are very good. I've found my skin looks brighter and healthier when I use it. I'm particularly impressed with results when I've used it as a shaving oil, although because of it's high price, I only use it in this way occassionally.

Because it is so good at moisturising, it will likely help some people with stretch marks and the appearance of scars. But I'm not sure it will have any better affect on these problem areas than any other quality moisturiser.

Summary: A decent, versatile moisturiser, but not a miracle potion.