NOW CLOSED: Bio-Oil Review Feedback Thread - now with final questions added

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 50 MNers who are trying out Bio-Oil on their skin.

If you don't know about Bio-Oil - then they say: "Built into a daily skin care routine, Bio-Oil can be applied all over the body, including the face. Specialist skincare for scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, dehydrated skin and dry skin For best results Bio-Oil should be applied twice daily for a minimum of 3 months"

We're asking for those taking part to add feedback at least twice - any additional comments are also welcome - we want first impressions and later on we will add some additional questions after 4-6 weeks - though as noted above this is a longer term product as well. Please note this is in no way a clinical trial and we are simply after 'real' feedback on the oil and any changes in the condition of skin noted by those using it.

Everyone who is part of the project and adds two lots of feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £100 Boots voucher.

Bio-Oil can also be used on children aged 2 and over so if you are using it on a child please state this in your response.

So, first impressions:
Please let us know your ....
~ overall first impressions
and your views on:
~ the smell or fragrance of the oil
~ how easy it was to apply
~ how it felt on your skin
~ please do state where you are using it

Thanks
MNHQ

I had Bio-oil recommended to me when I got pregnant, I had friends who told me it could help prevent stretchmarks so I used it daily and it worked - I didn't get a single stretchmark. Maybe I was just lucky but I am willing to believe it has an effect.

So when I saw the trial on MN and read about how it could improve the appearance of scars I was keen to try it on my c-section scar. The scar is relatively fresh - my baby is a year old now and has healed well until now without me using anything on it. However it is still very visible so if the Bio-oil helps it fade, then great!

Answers to questions:
~ overall first impressions - still not too keen on the packaging, looks cheap in my opinion compared to the price of the product and doesn't give a "natural product" type image which is surprising considered this is how the product is marketed.
and your views on:
~ the smell or fragrance of the oil - I wasn't too keen on the fragrance during pregnancy - I found it a little sickly, however I now realise that must have been a pregnancy thing as this time round I find it a pleasant, not too strong, and quite soothing fragrance
~ how easy it was to apply - very easy, but as others have stated it does get all over the bottle meaning you have to keep it in the box or be careful where you put it down
~ how it felt on your skin - feels greasier than I was lead to believe it would from the product marketing. I thought maybe I was using too much so tried using just a small amount however I couldn't massage it in then as directed so went back to using more. It does sink in surprisingly quickly though so although I didn't like the feel of it at first I didn't mind once I realised it wouldn't "sit" on my skin for long.
~ please do state where you are using it - on c-section scar, but also rubbing into my hands as they are very dry due to lots of hand-washing now I have a LO.

I started using it about a week ago - overall first impressions are good!

It smells lovely and the packaging is really "non clinical" - despite all the claims about how good the product it is it isn't too formal and scary looking!

I was actually quite surprised at how non-greasy it is - I thought it would be more like a baby oil texture but it's lighter and I have found that it absorbs relatively easily. I've been able to get dressed very soon after applying without it coming off on my clothes particularly, which is the total opposite of my experience with other oil based products.

I don't think I can say I've noticed much improvement yet (perhaps that is actually more to do with the fact that I don't find it easy anymore to see my abdomen!) but am keen to continue!

I started using the bio-oil about 7 days ago and my overall first impressions are that it is a lot nicer to use than I thought it would be! I thought it would take ages to sink in and that I'd end up with grease on my clothes (not that I'm sure you'd notice it in amongst the baby sick and other detritus!).

~ the smell or fragrance of the oil
I thought it would be fragrance free but really do like the smell of it and the fact that it's quite a light smell so it's not invasive - just right.

~ how easy it was to apply
You sort of have to use trial and error a bit to begin with - less is definitely more and you have to be quick to rub it in otherwise it rapidly dribbles away (I find!)

~ how it felt on your skin
It feels light, not too greasy and quick to sink in so just right really. It feels like a luxury to be using it - it smells good, feels nice and feels like a treat - its not often that I get to do anything for myself as I have a 4mo velcro DS (as well as 4yo DD)

~ please do state where you are using it
I'm using it on my really very unappealing stretch marks which have sort of layered as I've acquired them over time - got some really nice purple/red ones from the last pregnancy over some less red ones over some silver ones - mainly on my stomach and thighs.

On the packaging though - I can't stand it! The bottle looks cheap, the screw on lid means I've ended up spilling it down the side (yes please to a flip top lid) and the box/logo/general presentation makes it look like something you'd buy from some dodgy tv shopping channel - for the sort of money bio-oil costs, even if it is effective at lessening the hideousness of my stretch marks, I'd want some much, much nicer packaging - shallow but true!)

Overall impression: simple packaging, good size bottle but found the lid a bit annoying when I've got greasy hands.
Smell/fragrance of oil: I like the smell it's not too overpowering, very pleasant.
How easy it was to apply: very easy to apply and I like that it doesn't come out fast.
How it felt on your skin: it felt lovely on my skin, very soothing but didn't sink in that quickly.
I'm using every evening on my face and neck because I suffer with very dry skin.

overall first impressions
Nice box but second all the comments about bottle needing a different lid, bottle is cheap looking, it could do with at least a higher grade plastic lid and/or a glass bottle.
Lovely light texture

~ the smell or fragrance of the oil
I really like the smell, it isn't overpowering but has an aromatherapy-y (technical term) note, can't quite place it, it says rose and lavander on the insert but doesn't come across

~ how easy it was to apply
Easy to apply, spreads well on hands, not too thick or too runny

~ how it felt on your skin
Good absorbs well, I was a bit worried about using it at night and feeling like an eel in my pjs but it soaks in a treat. This made me start to fret that I wasn't using enough but I think I've now determined the optimal dose (anxious and nerdy)

~ please do state where you are using it
Legs bum and tum. I am currently sporting my 'winter leg' which is blotchy, uneven skin tone and lots of little lumps on my thighs which I think are ingrown hairs. I'm a soft southerner living in North Yorkshire so my legs will be covered until at least May when I will commence a frenzy of scrubbing, waxing and fake tanning in an effort to improve their condition.

Bum and tum because why not, while you're there?

I waned to take part in the trial because I'm already a bi of a fan of the product. I used it with both my last two pregnancies as I was very anxious about stretch marks - I was 41 with ds2 and 45 with ds3. I don't have a single one on stomach hips or breasts and recommend it to all my pregnant friends. However, I hadn't thought of using it on my legs so wanted to give it a go.

~ overall first impressions
I was surprised it was a plastic bottle, I am not sure why but I assumed it would be glass. I also assumed it would be clear, not that the colour is offensive, but again wasn't what I anticipated.

~ the smell or fragrance of the oil
I wasn't keen, its quite strong to me, and if you had an area to put it on that was near a perfume point, then it would clash for sure. I did however find it quite calming, which surprised me (again - I am clearly easily surprised) as I don't tend to believe in all that stuff.

~ how easy it was to apply
VERY easy, wasn't greasy like a baby oil type product, went on well, you didn't need much and didn't leave a residue or oil slick on the skin.

~ how it felt on your skin
It felt lovely, as stated above, it went on well and didn't leave a residue on the skin, I could have got dressed quickly afterwards which is a bonus when life is as chaotic as mine can be.

~ please do state where you are using it
I am using it on my calves. I have a scar from an injury as well as from 3 huge insect bites and pigmentation changes (I think!) that look horrendous in the summer especially. My daughter is going to try it on her new stretch marks on her thighs.

I am also making a video - hating that part I have to say

~ overall first impressions

Overall I like the look of it, it's quite simple and not in your face. The packaging looks quite expensive and attractive.

and your views on:

~ the smell or fragrance of the oil

I thought it smelled quite nice, not too strong.

~ how easy it was to apply

It was easy to apply and I only used a little so not too greasy.

~ how it felt on your skin

It feels quite nice, not greasy at all. Although I wouldn't put too much on in one go, I think that would feel too greasy and horrible.

~ please do state where you are using it

I am using it on a stretch mark I got in my last pregnancy.

~ overall first impressions
It took a while but I finally got my daughters to try this, dd age 16 opened it and laughed and said it smelled of grandmas perfume!! I had to laugh but also agree, but its not an unpleasant smell.
and your views on:

~ the smell or fragrance of the oil
dd age 15 liked it and was happier to use it.

~ how easy it was to apply
Both girls found it easy to apply but I have to agree that a flip lid would be much better.

~ how it felt on your skin
Both found it ok but a bit greasy to start with.

~ please do state where you are using it
Both girls found it easy to apply, one using it on teenage stretch marks when she shot up and out last year and the other one using it on acne scars.

I've not been having any dribble problems, by the way. I press the palm of my hand against the top of the bottle then tip and rub, so i end up with a film of oil on the palm of my hand, then rub that into my gnarly bits. The sides of the bottle don't feel greasy and there's no rings on my bathroom shelf.

I have very weak (hypermobile and becoming arthritic) hands and would probably find a flip top lid every difficult to use and harder to keep clean. I have some shampoo bottles with flip top lids and i can't open them without a cloth to give me extra grip. I suspect that women with late pregnancy banana hands and loose ligaments would have a similar problem.

Overall first impressions
The bottle could do with a smaller hole, as less is definitely more, and it seems to come out quite fast!

The smell or fragrance of the oil
It smelt a bit spicier than I expected, but the smell has grown on me, and now I really like it.

How easy it was to apply
It is very easy to apply, and only needs a small amount to cover a fairly large area.

How it felt on your skin
Lovely It sinks in really well, and doesn't feel at all greasy, even on my face.

Please do state where you are using it
On my old stretchmarks, and on a couple of newer scars from burns (including one from yesterday!)

For the record, I can also say with absolute confidence that it does not sting much when you rub your eyes with the same hand you just applied it with.

Forgot to add, I'm also using it on teh dry, hard patches of skin on my knees and ankles.

Overall first impressions
I like the look of the bottle and packaging. Looks simple, yet serious, and medicinal. Glad they're not lots of "age defying" science bumph.

The smell or fragrance of the oil
I really like the smell, not overpowering at all. I hate putting lotions on if I know I'll still smell them hours after.

How easy it was to apply
Easy to apply once I'd got used to how little I need and I'm applying it all over my stomach. It must be very hard to use on a small area.

How it felt on your skin
Really nice, so long as I'm careful about the amount, too much can feel greasy. It sinks in really quickly though. I get patches of excema on my hands Generally my hands are much softer, but it's not cleared up the bad patches yet. Also if I don't rub it in really well my hands will feel itchy afterwards and I have to wash it off them.

Please do state where you are using it
I'm using it on my stomach for stretch marks. I have 4 year old ones from DD, and 4 week old ones from DS. Haven't noticed any impact on the old ones yet, but I have a very purple one above my belly button which I really want to get rid of and it looks much paler already after a week.

overall first impressions - I like it very much. i thought it would be really greasy but it's not

~ the smell or fragrance of the oil - love it
~ how easy it was to apply- very easy, and I must have exceptionallly dry skin as it soaked in easily
~ how it felt on your skin - it felt lovely on my skin
~ please do state where you are using it - on my dry patches which are manily on arms and elgs, but some on my face too, I am on a lot of medication jsut now and my skin has suffered but it seems to be helping. I am also using it on DS1 as he has dry patches and it's helping

Sorry I'm late but there is good reason!!

I was using this for my DS is 2.5 who has and area of scaring on his cheek as a result of a plaster he reacted to. He has had very sensitive skin since he was very small and also has a number of food insensitivities. At the height of his insensitivities he was reacting to anything with petroleum, seed and nut oils and we resorted to muscle reaction testing to find something that worked - of the 10's I tested, we were left with three very simple products that were OK. Overall, his sensitivity has reduced so I was pleased that Bio Oil passed the muscle reaction test but a little disappointed that this product had so many ingredients including paraffinum, three seperate colourants and that it was so highly perfumed. As a result of these ingredients, I proceeded slowly. Also the word Bio is synonymous with Organic on continental Europe and this product is not organic.

I have tried the Oil and it seems to keep the area moisturised and not at all itchy. DS also liked to apply it and said it helps whereas he has been reluctant to use other creams so I can draw from his reaction that it does not irriatate his skin. There did appear to be a small flare up so I stopped for a few days and was ready to proceed again with caution.

However, I did read the list of ingredients again to check that there wasn't anything that might cause me concern. I googled some of them and as a result of what I have read have decided not to continue using the product and will instead find some organic rose oil which I have used successfully on scars in the past.

I have decided not to post the link as I have not had the time to verify the counter claims, assess the quantities, risks etc involved but several of the ingredients throw up some concerns which make me think it is not for me and my hyper sensitive baby!!

Sorry I'm so late! My oil arrived last week, but we've been so busy I haven't had chance to try it!

Anyway, started yesterday and so far I like it. It's been applied 3 times, and already the skin is feeling smooth again. No reduction in the appearance of the scarring yet, but I guess that'll take a few weeks. DH has expressed an interest in using it on a scar on his leg so when he starts using it I'll post his opinion on it too.

So, first impressions

~ the smell or fragrance of the oil - it smells lovely - not too overpowering but a pleasant, natural smell
~ how easy it was to apply - very easy. I can put some on my fingertip and rub it in, and it's soaked in within about 30 seconds.
~ how it felt on your skin - Not really much I can say, DS is only 3, but he didn't complain so it couldn't have felt bad! It certainly wasn't too greasy on my fingertip, which is something I was worried about.
~ please do state where you are using it - on DS's portacath site under his arm. Scars are from frequent access with a needle (about 18 months every other day so a lot of work for Bio Oil!)

sorry for being so slow to post

first impressions.

the smell tbh, I find the smell a bit much.

application very easy to apply, soaked in very quickly. much quicker than the lotion I had been using previously.

how it felt my skins feels lovely after using the oil but it has left some areas of my skin feeling greasy and a bit spot prone.

I have been using it on a scar on my arm, stretch marks on my boobs and belly and a small bit of acne scarring in my chin. I've stopped using it on my face due to the spots.

Only picked this up from the P.O yesterday due to one thing and another.
First impressions- the box and product look simple and unassuming.
The oil smells nice, sweet without being cloying, it sank in easily and didn't drip or run.
I'm using it on DD2's chicken pox scar on her cheek and I put some on my own very dry skin too. It didn't sting or irritate at all.

I've been using this twice a day on myself and DD2. There is little difference to DD2's scar but I didn't expect any as so early. However the skin does look smoother.
On my own rough dry skin, there is a great improvement. The redness has gone down and it is not flaking or as irritated.

Been using it for about two weeks now, lumpyness seems to be diminishing a bit. Skin feels lovely and moisturised. However, I've only been using it on my legs and have almost run out

Like most people here I really like the smell. It smell clean and leaves the skin feeling really smooth. I also like Palmers Coconut butter for everyday use.

I'm not in the test group. Just wanted to say i used this during pregnancy, and didn't get one stretch mark. Maybe i wouldn't have anyway, but i'm convinced it was down to the bio-oil as i did get stretch marks in my teens.

Thanks for continuing to try out Bio-Oil on yourself (or your child). Thanks for adding your initial feedback. Bio-Oil are very interested to read it and the team there say "Thanks for your feedback - we've noted the suggestions for a flip top or change to the lid and on the packaging and will pass these on to the revelant teams"

Please add your final feedback below - we'd like to know generally how you are getting on with the Bio-Oil, what changes (if any) you have noticed with your skin, whether you think you'll continue to use it and whether you'd recommend it to others with similar skin issues to yourself. Please note this is in no way a clinical trial and we are simply after 'real' feedback on the oil and any changes in the condition of skin noted by those using it.

Please state in your post who has been using it.

Everyone who adds their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £100 Boots voucher.

Thanks, MNHQ

Well, what is it? A month on? The scar on my arm is definitely faded. It was a fairly old scar and it actually started to fade right away. So I am pleased about that.

The other discolouration, however, on my side hasn't changed. It was a cyst that burst and made a very dark mark. It's just as dark.

Finally, new scar, as mentioned up thread, that I actually did to myself during the first week of the trial, seems to be benefiting from the oil. It's hard to tell as it is still quite red but it's very smooth. That might be because it wasn't stitched, but steri stripped. Or might be all the oil it gets on it as I rub oil into the rest of me.

I will continue to use it although probably more as a 'as I think of it' thing rather than being 'religious' about using it twice a day.

Yes, I would recommend it to others. But change the top!!

I have certainly noticed that 4 weeks on, my stretch marks on my hips are much less red - they are not so angry looking anymore and more pinky.

Although I noticed an initial soothing with the bio oil, I don't think it can stop my wild midnight itching, so will have to look for something else to help with that.

As others have said, I don't think I will carry on to use it twice a day, just now and then, when they bother me. Will use it when My hips are thinking about going out in public again (swimming, lights on sex?)

It's certainly made more of a difference than any other cream I have tried, so am very impressed that it made its mark - even my partner noticed!

Confidence is slightly raised - but think I'm going to have to find an oil for saggy postnatal tummies before I feel completely me again.

Overall, good stuff! Will recommend it to my friends, especially those pregnant - as I think it would be better as a preventative oil.