There's kind of a hype surrounding Bio Oil. It's supposed to be a miracle oil for scars, stretch marks (striae) and other skin problems.

According to the Bio Oil website it: "helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone". "highly effective for numerous other skin concerns, including aging skin and dehydrated skin."

But what is Bio Oil and does it really work? And specifically, does it work on stretch marks? This page is about the results of my analysis of many Bio Oil reviews as well as my personal experiences. And also about possible alternatives.

Does Bio Oil really work on scars ? And how about stretch marks removal?

Bio oil is is supposed to be a natural skin care product. Some say it's far from natural and can be even hazardous. Others say it really is a miracle oil. As is the case many times the truth will be somewhere in the middle. Read on to learn more about the potential side effects of Bio Oil.

Conclusion 

Bio Oil really seems to work on little scars and wrinkles for many people. After reading many Bio Oil reviews it became clear that positive experiences are much more common. Also, there is no evidence at all that the rumors about the mineral oil ingredient being bad for your health are true.

For stretch marks though Bio Oil is not reviewed very well.

Only 10% of those surveyed said that Bio Oil improved their stretch marks. Most saw no difference at all. Read on for alternatives that do work.

Bio Oil for Fine Lines and Spots 

I decided to try Bio-Oil over a 14-day period (even though it recommends several weeks). There were four places I applied Bio-Oil twice a day for three minutes. One was where I had old white scar-scratch on my arm from my cat, one was a wide old scar on my leg, another was a splotchy spot on my face from too much sun and the last was on my neck where I have a little bit of stretch marks.
The older scars (thin and thick) on my arm and leg did not change in appearance at all. The little stretch mark on my neck and the splotchy spot on my face actually did show improvements in appearance. The little stretch lines disappeared and my face has a more even appearance. I was concerned about my face, as I break out easily, but Bio-Oil did not cause any breakouts.

Bio Oil Reviews 

As for almost any skin care product reviews are mixed. It is almost impossible to form an opinion based on reviews only. That's why looking at scientific facts might be of some help in determining the real value of products like Bio Oil. Several ingredients in Bio oil are known allergens and respiratory, skin and eye irritants. Apart from that a major compound of Bio Oil is Paraffinum Liquidum or: mineral oil. Mineral oil is a supposed skin irritant. Mineral oil is supposed to have numerous side effects, including worsening skin-related conditions such as acne and eczema. Many dermatologists do not recommend using Mineral Oil because it clogs the pores, aggravating the skin.

But is this all true?

Let's look at some frequent reoccurring remarks in Bio Oil reviews:

Pros of Bio Oil

• Smells really pleasant
• Skin really is soft and supple the next day.
• Great for those with dry skin
• It definitely reduces the appearance of fine lines and spots.
• Makes my scars less red and lightens skin tone.
• I personally didn't see much in the redness and pigmentation category, but it did help to visually decrease the scars.

"Bio Oil makes my skin feel like silk"

example of a positive review

I had heard about this product when I was pregnant with my first child, but didn't get a chance to use it. I used cocoa butter and baby oil, and I ended up with some pretty bad stretch marks. Now that I am pregnant with my second child, I decided that it might be beneficial to try to prevent getting any more if possible. Within 3 days of using this product, my magenta colored stretch marks have turned brownish and are fading significantly. It's amazing! I wish I had thought to take pics. I have even used it on my face and it feels wonderful, as it absorbs very quickly. As a side-note, an old stitches scar on my palm is also diminishing because of the contact with the oil. I highly recommend this to anyone with small scars, wrinkles, crows-feet, or stretch marks. Great Product!

Bio Oil skin moisturizer

Many people are very positive about Bio Oil. A friend of mine has bought it recently and she says it really makes her skin soft like no other product has ever done for her.

Bio Oil also seems to reduce the appearance of fine lines and spots.
Although it might not be the best product for reducing surgical scars and stretch marks it sure is a very appreciated product by many.

Cons of Bio Oil

• Does not get absorbed by the skin very well, skin stays oily / greasy for a while
• Further elevated my breakout problems.
• clinical trials were done on Caucasian women and no women of color
• I personally didn't see much in the redness and pigmentation category, but it did help to visually decrease the scars.
• Doesn't feel natural, has a slightly greasy feel and there's too much perfume in it.

"tried Bio Oil and made my skin break out like crazy"

example of a negative review

I was really religious in applying the oil as recommended (twice a day, massaging for a minute or so in a circular motion). I used it on stretch marks and on a scar. Took before pictures. After 3.5 months, absolutely NO difference in the stretch marks or the scar. Complete waste of time and money for me.

It does soften your skin but after doing some research on mineral oil, the main ingredient in Bio-Oil, I got turned off (mineral oil is an inexpensive, non-spoiling emollient used in many cosmetics and skin care products that some studies argue can be harmful). The scent is subtle and I actually liked it. It was oily, hence the fact that it is an oil and it did take a couple hours or so to completely absorb.

Bio Oil Side Effects?

is Mineral Oil really Bad for your Skin?

 
no, there is no proof Bio Oil is bad for your health AND it is a FDA approved product

Many companies tell us that we should not use mineral oil. Of course they have their own reasons for saying this.

As far as research shows Bio Oil does not cause cancer, does not leech minerals and vitamins from the skin, and does not cause dehydration.

Bio Oil (like all other cosmetic products) has to meet stringent purity requirements defined by the US FDA and international standards

Conclusion: although there are many opposite opinions on Bio Oil it is not proven to be harmful.

Bio Oil seems to work on wrinkles and little scars. For stretch marks there are far better products.

Conclusion: Bio Oil Might Work on (little) Scars but not on Stretch Marks

When reading lots of Bio Oil reviews I noticed that some people complain about the bad absorption, their skin staying greasy and oily. On the other hand there are far more people who really noticed an improvement. They experienced a good absorption, their skin got really soft and their scars improved.

Bio Oil as a scar removal product might work for many people but if this is because of the oil or just due to massaging the scar tissue regularly can't be said.

Reading many reviews my guess is it might work on stretch marks and wrinkles blending them in and making them softer. So the conclusion will be that Bio Oil really seems to work for many people.

Over 80% of the people surveyed said Bio Oil significantly healed their scars.

But personally I do am convinced there are better scar treatment products. Products that are proven effective and do work, I know this from my friend who knows it from experience.

But how to get rid of stretch marks?

which stretch mark cream should you use?

Only 10% of respondents surveyed said that Bio-Oil worked on their stretch marks.. Most saw no difference at all. But there are some Bio Oil alternatives that help get rid of stretch marks.

70 to 90 % of all pregnant women develop stretch marks. But not only pregnant women suffer from striae. Bodybuilders and young adults who experience growth spurts are also likely to get stretch marks.

The good thing is there are ways to get rid of stretch marks and even to prevent them. A few things are important when determining which stretch mark product you should use:

• Does the product contain effective ingredients? And if it does, in which amount are these ingredients present. Some products only have very small amounts of an ingredient in order to put on the label the ingredient is present in the product.
• Every good skin product has a good delivery system such as micro-sponges, liposomes or some other type of carrier.
• What do the customer reviews say? Are there many people who are satisfied with the product.
• Is the company trustworthy? Does it have a good reputation, can it be contacted e.g. via their website.

Courtesy photo by Myllissa, licensed under commercial Creative Commons rights.

Effective Ingredients
Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that stimulates and repairs elastin and collagen, creating stronger, smoother and more elastic skin by speeding cell renewal and regeneration. It is able to penetrate the outer layers of the skin because of its small molecular structure. Retinol also increases skin cell turnover, drastically reducing age spots and blemishes on the skin.

Other important ingredients are humectants, occlusives and emollients. Examples are glycerine, dimethicone and squalene oil. Vitamin E and grape seed extract which are known to fortify the collagen and elastin in the lower skin layer (epidermis). Fatty Acid-rich ingredients to increase skin elasticity. Shea Butter, Borage Oil , Wheatgerm Oil, (rich in Vitamin E) Rosehip Seed Oil or Sweet Almond Oil are examples of the latter.

Products containing vitamin A or Retinol, Retin-A should NOT be used during pregnancy!

Collagen is the main protein that makes up 75% of the skin. It stimulates the formation of new collagen, leading to skin regeneration. At the same time elasticity is improved, helping to smooth wrinkles.

Causes of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks (striae) are a form of scarring. They are caused by tearing of the dermis (the layer of skin under the epidermis which is the top layer of the skin) when the skin is excessively stretched. The loss of elastin and collagen in the skin causes the stretch marks to show through to the epidermis resulting in a change of tone, fine lines and wrinkles.

But excessive stretching of the skin is not the only cause of the development of striae. Stretch marks are also influenced by hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, puberty and muscle building. This is why stretch marks develop during pregnancy, weight gain or growth spurts (for example with adolescents or bodybuilders).

Scientists think some people are prone to developing striae because they produce more of the hormone, corticosteroid, than others. This hormone decreases the amount of collagen in the skin, and collagen is the protein which keeps our skin supple.

Although stretch marks can be treated and faded to a substantial extent most of the times they will not disappear completely.

There are 2 types of stretch marks creams:

• Prevention creams
• Fading creams

Bio Oil Alternatives?

humectants, occlusives and emollients

How to determine which stretch mark cream is the best? Well you have to look at the ingredients. Not only which ingredients but also in which amount they are present. (manufacturers sometimes put very small amounts of in their creams only to be able to put the ingredient on the label.)

Stretch marks creams that really work have to consist of so called humectants, occlusives and emollients. This is rather technical but humectants draw water from the top layer of the skin (and sometimes even from the atmosphere) into the deeper layers of the skin. One of the best humectants is glycerin.

Then a good quality stretch marks cream also has to consist of occlusives. These are ingredients that slow the evaporation of water from the skin. Dimethicone is such a occlusive.

And emollients are important. They help maintain the smooth, soft and pliable appearance of the skin. A good emollient is squalene oil.

The Best Stretch Marks Creams

According to many reviews and customer experiences Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention and
Mama Mio ZAP Goodbye Stretch Marks are the best products you can buy. Examination of the list of ingredients seems to confirm this.

Although most creams can not make sure striae will be removed completely because stretch marks are difficult to treat, Revitol and the Mama Mio cream can significantly reduce the appearance and minimize visibility & texture of stretch marks. This is the conclusion of my research via reviews, forums and personal experiences. The more superficial the striae, the more improvement can be made.

Prevention is key. Fading stretch marks can be done but if you know you are prone to developing striae its recommended to start using stretch mark creams right away.

Preventing Stretch Marks Tips

• Make sure to maintain a healthy, well balanced diet. Do not eat too much. Many women start eating a lot more than is actually necessary. It is normal you gain weight during pregnancy but too much and rapid weigh gain can result in stretch marks. You can consult your doctor on how much weight gain is normal.



• Drink lots of water. This will keep your skin hydrated and supple



• Eat enough foods that contain vitamins A, E and C. It is recommended to take supplements in order to improve your skin elasticity. But only use high quality multivitamins. Ask for medical advice if you are not sure.



• Eat foods containing essential fatty acids. Those stimulate nourishing the skin cells. Although effects will be minor this can add to the overall reduce stretch marks mix. Or it might help prevent stretch marks from developing when you're experiencing significant weight shifts. Green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, whole grains and other natural foods are rich in antioxidants and contain essential amino acids. These substances can help the body keep your skin more elasticity and resilience. For healthy people it is not recommended to take antioxidants in pill form.



• Prevent stretch marks by using a prevention cream

Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention Cream

powerful blend of natural ingredients

Note: Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention cream is a prevention product but it also works on existing striae.

Revitol's high quality ingredients:

Among this cream's ingredients are the aforementioned glycerine, dimethicone and squalene oil. (the humectants, occlusives and emollients that are so important)

Other ingredients are vitamin E and grape seed extract which are known to fortify the collagen and elastin in the lower skin layer (epidermis). Remember, it's all about the ingredients, that's why Revitol is such a good product to buy.

Only a few of the many positive Revitol reviews:

"After about a month of using one stretch mark cream (Barmon) without any change, I got annoyed and switched to Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention. I swear, it started working right away. You're supposed to see results in about 2 weeks, and it's only been a little over 1, but the marks are already so faded I can barely see them anymore!"

"This is the third week I'm using this cream and I can already see my stretch marks becoming thinner"

You can buy Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention cream on the Revitol website. The company is offering a 90 day money back guarantee on the product.

How does Revitol work?

The combination of different active ingredients in Revitol stretch mark cream penetrate the skin, working its way down to the deeper layers. Allowing it to stimulate the elasticity and suppleness of the skin from within. This way the epidermis is better prepared for the stretching of the skin during situations such as pregnancy thereby reducing the incidence of stretch marks.

By applying Revitol daily the skin becomes more elastic and collagen production is increased. More info about the ingredients and how to apply the cream can be found on the Revitol website.

Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks Cream

very popular with celebrity mama's

Another popular, top reviewed stretch marks cream is from the Mama Mio brand.

Mama Mio creams contain ingredients that have been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of stretch marks by over 70%.

Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks cream ingredients: Regestril (to reduce visibility and texture of stretch marks), Emblica, an ayurverdic medicinal plant to lighten and even out the appearance of discolored stretch marks and pigmentation. Matrixyl 3000, is a powerful peptide that lab tests have proven to help in activating collagen production. It accelerates the body's own ability to repair stretch marks. Algisium-C, helps protect skin from free radicals whilst improving the appearance of stretch marks at the skin's surface.

Goodbye Stretch Marks is safe to use during pregnancy and while nursing.

Mama Mio has both a preventing cream as well as a fading cream for use afterwards.

Mama Mio's Goodbye Stretch Marks Cream is a very popular and very well reviewed product. Its also THE product of celebrity mama's.

Celebs like; Stella McCartney, Gabrielle Reece, Christina Aguilera, Milla Jovovich, Natalia Vodianova, Melissa Joan Hart, Victoria Beckham, Christy Turlington, Mariska Hegarty, Emma Bunton, Jennifer Beals, Lindsay Davenport and Rachel Weisz all swear with this cream.

Click the picture for more information

"It's no surprise that British celebrity moms Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham are fans." D Beauty Magazine.

Preventing Stretch Marks

with Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter

Mama Mio Tummy Rub ingredients:

Fatty Acid-rich ingredients (Omegas 3, 6 & 9) to increase skin elasticity. Shea Butter, Borage Oil (an ancient oil used in the Far East for thousands of years which is very effective in healing damaged skin) Wheatgerm Oil, (rich in Vitamin E) Rosehip Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil

A selection of the many reviews:

"This cream is fantastic. I am 7 months pregnant and still haven't got a single stretch mark. I use it twice a day and a little goes a long way. Highly moisturising, I even slap some on my hands when they feel dry as it's non greasy and smells delicious.

I've used Bio Oil and Cocoa Butter Stretch mark lotion and this is definitely the best."

Click the picture for more information or to buy

Revitol and Mama Mio: Best Buys

My Conclusion:

Revitol and Mama Mio really seem to be the best products to use for stretch marks. Both for preventing and treating them afterwards.

The reviews show that Revitol and Mama Mio have reduced the stretch marks in several people to the maximum extent.

Trilastin seems to take in a good third place but I know I will be using one of the above creams. I will keep you posted. Please leave me a message about your experiences with stretch marks removal or ask me a question below.

Can Stretch Marks Go Away?

for old, persistent stretch marks exfoliation might be the best solution

Older stretch marks are far more difficult to fade with creams. Creams can be beneficial but only when the stretch marks are relatively young. So make sure to try and prevent the stretch marks from developing as soon as possible. Or treat them right after your pregnancy. (in case you'll be using a Retinol/ Retin A cream) For older stretch marks techniques like exfoliation can help out.

Exfoliation is removing layers of dead skin and unveiling soft, fresh skin. This might be the best way to minimize the appearance of more mature stretch marks.

Some people use baking soda ore oatmeal to make their own preparations. There are also specially prepared formulas available. It is important to apply plenty of moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and soft after exfoliation.

Book on Stretch Marks Treatment

Maybe if you've visited this page before you might have noticed I mentioned the book: The Cellulite Solution here. Although I haven't read this book myself it seemed a good source with useful info regarding stretch marks.

But after reading one of the few negative reviews (most are positive) I found out that one of the author's recommendations is to take vitamin supplements and antioxidants. Since science is getting more aware of the fact that taking (substantial amounts) of antioxidants and vitamins is not healthy and can even be harmful, I concluded this book is probably not worth the money and time. That's why I have removed it from this page.

More Skin Care Information

No matter how you put it, stretch marks are scars. There are different degrees of severeness. Some people develop only mild striae while others really get purple and thick marks. This has to do with genes mostly. But just like with all types of scars there are things you can do to improve them.

Exercising makes the skin more supple and elastic. Smoking should be avoided as much as possible because it is really bad for your skin. A healthy diet (don't overdo it with supplements if you are healthy) can aid as well. Gently massaging the skin will not realize miracles but sure is a part of the mix.

What are your experiences with Bio Oil for scars and stretch marks treatment?