Since its inception in 2002, Bio Oil has had a cult following across 20 countries worldwide, and has won over 242 skincare awards to date.

Bio Oil is a topical oil that claims to work wonders for reducing the appearance of scars, stretch marks and wrinkles, and add life to dehydrated and aging skin. The product has been a topic of hot debate, with supporters touting it to be a ‘miracle oil’, and cynics reevaluating its ‘breakthrough’ ingredient, PurCellin Oil.

What is PurCellin Oil? This is not a naturally occurring ingredient, but has been man-made in a lab and the laboratory name for it is Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate. The oil was made with the inspiration of a naturally occurring oil that is secreted by ducks to keep their feathers waterproof.

Interestingly, PurCellin Oil is only mentioned on the front of the packaging: “Contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil”. It is not listed under the extended list of ingredients on the back of the packaging.

Duck-inspired, and with no mention under the ingredients, the cynics sure have a point!

Product Claim:

Specialist Skincare For Scars, Stretch Marks, Uneven Skin Tone, Aging Skin, Dehydrated Skin. – Bio Oil packaging.

Key Ingredients:

• Breakthrough PurCellin Oil
• Mineral Oil
• Calendula Oil
• Lavendar Oil
• Rosemary Oil
• Chamomile Oil
• Vitamins A & E

My Experience with Bio Oil:

I’ve been using Bio Oil off and on for years. I love the subtle floral scent of the oil, and have used it all over my body (including my face).

I prefer Bio Oil for the winter months, and used it very often during the very cold winters in New Zealand. During summer, my combination skin tends to find the oil a little too greasy for the face, but it still works well on the arms, legs and torso.

I went through several bottles of Bio Oil during my pregnancy. I chose it over the conventional favorite, Cocoa Butter, as I found it to be more hydrating. It kept dry skin and itchiness on the bump at bay, and I believe it definitely kept up to its promise about stretch marks as I didn’t get any throughout my 9 months.

On my normal to combination skin-type, Bio Oil works best during winter when the cooler weather makes my complexion more prone to dryness. During summer, I use it on my legs and arms, and a few drops in a running bath can be a lovely aromatic treat.

The Good:

• Very moisturizing. Just a few drops is all you need.
• Has a gorgeous scent that can even be used for aromatherapy.
• The plastic bottle with the dropper opening is easy to use and mess-free.
• Enriched with natural oils and vitamins.
• With its amber coloring, a bottle of Bio Oil looks very pretty on the bathroom shelf!

The Not So Good:

• It has a mineral oil base that has been artificially colored and scented. Bio Oil may therefore not be ideal for very sensitive skin types.

Bio Oil has endless reviews online; both positively glowing and negative. As with all beauty products, I believe Bio Oil works for some and not for others. Personally, I would suggest giving it a try. I always stock up for winter!