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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Bio oil - is it worth it?

39 replies

Squirrel31 · 23/06/2014 19:45

Hi all mums to be! I'm approx 10 weeks now and starting to think about how to manage stretch marks as I have already developed lots of thready red veins! Have you used bio oil and would you recommend? My skin is quite dry and I try and use body shop coconut butter but the smell is making me feel a bit icky x

OP posts:

Bangonthedoor · 23/06/2014 19:52

Hi squirrel congrats

It's always good to keep your skin hydrated so using bio oil can't hurt ....except maybe slightly damaging to your bank balance as it can be quite expensive. I personally used bio oil along with the palmers cocoa butter throughout my pregnancy and still ended up with my fair share of stretch marks. However I may have got more if I didn't use anything, who knows.

Everyone is so different and its certainly worth a go. But I do find it also smells a bit funny so maybe smell a tester first!

Inbl00m · 23/06/2014 20:07

I'm 27/28 weeks and have been using it since about 12 weeks. No stretch marks yet but I have no idea if that's the bio oil or not... What I can say is that it's made the rest of my skin look lovely, very smooth and even, and some very old (teen!) stretch marks fade to almost nothing. It does smell a bit like cinnamon but I think you stop noticing after a while!

SellyMevs · 23/06/2014 20:53

I use bio oil every day. I f I have some small stretchmarks on my hips, but they did appear overnight the week the baby started measuring 4 weeks ahead... I like to think it could have been much worse, I certainly don't have any on my tummy.

I buy it on amazon - it was half price a few weeks ago, so a tenner for a big bottle and it lasts ages.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 23/06/2014 20:57

You could try Baby's Bottom Butter from Waitrose. It's lovely stuff, used it in my first pregnancy. Much cheaper too.

anotherdayanothersquabble · 23/06/2014 21:01

It's got lots of chemicals in it, I would try rode hip oil mixed with sweet almond oil instead.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 23/06/2014 21:03

They sell.Bio Oil in Primark now! Not sure how much cheaper it is that other shops but might be worth looking out for it when you next pop in.

whereisshe · 23/06/2014 21:04

I used this and so have several of my friends and no stretch marks. But I have read that it's genetics and staying hydrated that make the most difference.

Alb1 · 23/06/2014 21:10

I have no idea if it works (it doesn't seem to be for me) but jus thought if mention aldi do their own version of bio oil for £3 so if ur unsure maybe try that as a cheaper alternative first? If they still have it that is, they switch stock quite quickly here

MissMagpie · 23/06/2014 21:13

I am 27 weeks now and have used various body butters throughout my pregnancy on my bump and have no sign of any stretch marks. They smell yummy too - especially Body Shop ones!

I have some faded stretch marks on my hips from teenage growth spurts so don't know if I will get some or not, but keeping well moisturised has definitely kept them away for now.

Purplecircle · 23/06/2014 21:22

Wilko do their own version of bio oil, same stuff and tons cheaper

Droflove · 23/06/2014 21:33

I dont think so. I didnt get any stretch marks and had a full bottle of bio oil but didnt use it. If I had used it I would be swearing it worked.....

Basically I think now that it is stupid to be rubbing any substances into and on your skin, especially bump, while pregnant. In fact, ever. Never checked the bio oil ingredients, I am guessing they are minimal but my god do we cover ourselves in chemicals all the time purely because of marketing and advertising.

So I vote no to bio-oil. I think its a load of rubbish along with all the other rubbish we all think we need.

Now I am off to shine my tinfoil hat.

Shenanagins · 23/06/2014 21:37

I used it for both pregnancies, first no stretch marks, second, lots. Think its luck of the draw.

Showy · 23/06/2014 21:41

The skin tears at a level not reached by lotions and potions. Genes, age, weight gain etc play a part but nothing will stop them if you're going to get them.

FloweryBoots · 23/06/2014 21:58

I tend to think you'll get them if you're going to get them. But the stretching can dry your skin so keeping it moistrised with something can keep you more comfortable.

FWIW I like bio oil as a daily moisturisor and used it before I'd ever been pregnant. You can usually get it £10 for a big bottle on amazon which is about half the price of high street. You don't use loads so I find it lasts. I tried wilko own version and found it horible.

(2 pregnancies, no stretch marks)

AllYouNeedIsTea · 23/06/2014 22:09

I'm in the 'you'll either get them or you won't' camp. I've had two pregnancies, didn't.use any cream and don't have any stretch marks. I'm not convinced that expensive lotions and potions work.

squizita · 23/06/2014 22:09

I have found bio oil very soothing for the itching which comes when my bump or boobs grow suddenly... but can't help thinking baby oil or any oil might feel the same at half the price!
Avon have some spray on body oils which are lovely.

Monkeybrain10 · 23/06/2014 22:41

Superdrug do a similar product which has less nasties in it that bio oil....cheaper too.

ThursdayLast · 23/06/2014 22:45

It won't stop stretch marks.
Nothing stops stretchmarks.
If they want you, they will find you

TheBabyFacedAssassin · 23/06/2014 22:47

I loved it and am still using it! May not prevent you from getting them if you're genetically predisposed but it certainly reduces their appearance if you do get them. As previous posters have said amazon is the cheapest, currently £9.99 for 200ml, I ordered on Thursday and received this morning!

ThursdayLast · 23/06/2014 22:49

Time also halos reduce the appearance of stretchmarks

ThursdayLast · 23/06/2014 22:49

Halos??
Helps
There goes my smartarse witticism!

LadyNexus · 23/06/2014 22:52

I lathered myself in that and other stretch mark creams while pregnant with dd.

I look like I've been mauled by six angry tigers.

My friend has had three children, never used anything, not a single mark on her.

I moaned about it to my consultant, he basically said it makes your skin moisturised and smell nice, but no cream will ever stop stretch marks. Your either disposed to getting them or not.

Bugger

Heatherbell1978 · 23/06/2014 22:56

I've been lathering it on the bump twice a day since 13 wks and lovely smooth bump so far (I'm now 32 wks) but I agree that genetics has a big part in it. Amazon is far cheaper than Boots for it but I got an even better deal at Costco - 2 big bottles for £19.99!

TheBabyFacedAssassin · 23/06/2014 23:02

Haha @ Thursday, I hate it when that happens!

I should add that I only gave birth 4 weeks ago so in a fairly short space of time the marks I had have faded substantially, I was quite shocked actually as I was sceptical if the bio oil would actually work, but for me it really has.

Original poster

Squirrel31 · 23/06/2014 23:03

Thank you all for the great advice, the comments really made me chuckle! Think I will try some cheaper alternatives first and see how I get on. Sounds like stretch marks are something you can't really control, maybe my body will take pity on me and I will just have these delightful red veins!!!

Good luck with all your pregnancies. I discovered bump does definitely not like quiche anymore so feeling a bit grim this evening! X

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