I typically cast a dubious eye when in comes to beauty product that has any of these elements:

1. It's advertised in back-of-magazine or column-size ads.

2. It claims to have a "breakthrough" ingredient with a newfangled name.

3. It claims that the newfangled ingredient is a cure-all for everything that ails my skin.

I hit the skin care trifecta with Bio-Oil (see close up of label at right)--and you could ask why I'm even posting about it. Here's why: it's not only found in the skincare sections of drugstores--many times it's located in the aisle with the band-aids. Secondly, the Bio-Oil website is quite evolved for a single-product line. And finally, well, curiosity got the better of me. And here's my first impression...

Here's what Bio-Oil claims to help me with: Scars, Stretch Marks, Uneven Skin Tone, Aging Skin (bingo!) and Dehydrated Skin. It's also touted as a soothing after-sun treatment and a bath oil. And this is all just on the box. I'm in for the anti-aging benefits which are to smooth and tone sagging and wrinkled skin.

First off, Bio-Oil, which is very oily initially, absorbs nicely into my skin. It loses the oiliness pretty quickly. If you've ever tried Zim's Crack Creme--the liquid version--it sort of feels like that on application, only it absorbs better. The scent, which I want to believe comes from the Lavender Oil it contains (it smells that way) is most likely enhanced by the "parfum" it contains.

Bio-Oil definitely hydrates my skin. I prefer a lotion formula, but my skin feels more hydrated. Bio-Oil also gives my skin a bit of a sheen--I say sheen because it's more of a shine than a glow, but it's not a super-oily look. And Bio-Oil, in its hydration, does smooth out my fine lines a bit. The real benefits of Bio-Oil will take some time--for example, clinical studies of Bio-Oil for stretch marks state that 50% of subjects in the test showed improvements within 8 weeks.

Bio-Oil contains a self-proclaimed "breakthrough" ingredient, as I referenced above, shown at right. It's PurCellin Oil, which is a combo of Vitamins A (Retinyl Palmitate) and E (Tocopheryl Acetate), Lavender, Calendula and Rosemary Oils and Chamomile Extract. It's also hypo-allergenic and preservative-free.

QUICK TAKE: The anti-aging benefits of Bio-Oil are not immediate or dramatic enough for me to use as daily facial care. I do like the hydrating feel of it though--even on my hands & nails. I'd need more time to assess it's claims for scars, stretch marks & discolorations. It could also use a better means of dispensation--it can be a bit messy.

posted by skintoxicated