Bio-Oil on Face: Usage, Comedogenicity, Benefits & Side Effects

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This may sound counterintuitive, but you can and should use bio-oil on your face. Bio-oil is not your regular beauty oil. One amazing benefit of the oil is that it can be used on any skin and to treat a range of concerns that go beyond stretch marks.

A study revealed that bio-oil improved the complexion, look, and texture of the skins of a population of people with non-hypertrophic scars. It can be quite daunting to take this cosmetic oil above your shoulders.

I want to encourage you to do so because this oil has been tested and approved to be non-comedogenic. So, it is very safe for your face.

You can breathe now and enjoy a good read on why you really should be using bio-oil in your skincare routine.

Can Bio-Oil Be Used on Face?

Yes, it can. Bio-oil is a non-comedogenic oil that is great for every skin type. On the list of ingredients in this oil are essential oils and vitamins that every skin needs to look its best.

Also, it is a dry oil that will not leave any residue on your skin. Bio-oil contains antioxidants that fight off the free radicals that will normally form in your skin after exposure to sun rays.

Dr. Marie Hayag, a board-certified dermatologist says, “It’s generally safe to use Bio-Oil on the face and it doesn’t come with side effects unless you are allergic to any of the ingredients in it.”

In addition, the essential oils contained in bio-oil include calendula oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, chamomile oil, sunflower oil, and a few others. These oils are rich in fatty acids that work together to repair and fortify your natural skin barrier.

The oils confer the emollient properties of bio-oil, which is the reason why after consistent use, your skin becomes supple and soft.

Furthermore, if you are staying off oils to avoid greasy skin, you should not stay off bio-oil. The ingredients list shows it contains PurCellin, a non-greasy oil.

Does Bio-Oil Clog Pores?

Far from that, bio-oil does not clog pores. Its non-comedogenic reputation is why it is very much embraced and prescribed as a cosmetic oil. Therefore, it is least likely to cause acne.

On the contrary, bio-oil helps to improve the appearance of acne scars on your face. Yes, oils are dense and heavy when compared to other products in your skincare routine, but bio-oil is a lightweight oil that rather regulates sebum production.

Bio-oil contains vitamin A and retinol which enhances the rate of cell turnover. When you massage acne-scarred skin with this oil, it results in clearer and plump skin.

You have nothing to worry about with bio-oil on your face. You can safely use it as a face oil to seal every other product, a makeup cleaner, a makeup primer, and even a pre-shave treatment.

Does Bio-Oil Lighten Your Face?

Bio-oil is fortified with vitamins that act as antioxidants and help to fade out hyperpigmentation and acne scars. It evens your skin tone and gives you an uncompromised skin glow.

The vitamins work with the botanical extracts to repair skin damage caused by UV rays and also to soothe inflammations.

The aforementioned study reported that participants with newly formed acne reported an improved look of the scars after consistent application for a few weeks.

Bio-oil is a good moisturizer that keeps your skin supple and bright. Moreover, it eliminates the dullness and dark patches that come with aging skin.

Any skin type can benefit from the brightening effect of using bio-oil in a skincare routine.

How to Use Bio-Oil for Face

1. Acne scar treatment

Environmental aggressors and UV rays scarring leave acne patches on your face. Rather than treating your face with so many chemicals at the same time, you can resort to bio-oil.

The vitamins A and E help in cell regeneration, hence, healing and reducing the prominence of acne scars. Besides, this is one of the original intentions of the bio-oil formula.

Use it twice a day over a space of 2-3 months and you’ll get amazing results. In addition, it nourishes your skin with nutrients that can stimulate self-repair.  

2. As a moisturizer

Bio-oil is a great pick for your face oil. It has great moisturizing properties that keep your skin soft, plump, and glowing.

Dr. Morgan Rabach, a board-certified dermatologist says, “If you have overly dry and flaky cracked skin, this oil may help if other lotions or creams aren’t moisturizing enough.” Bio-oil is packed with a lot of nutrients that help to get rid of dryness and the problems it comes with.

The moisturizing agents smooth out fine lines and wrinkles giving you youthful skin. The vitamins A and E hydrate your skin and maintain a healthy glow. You can add a few drops to your everyday body lotion to nourish your skin.

3. Pre-shave treatment

If you are prone to getting cuts while you shave your face, you need bio-oil as a pre-shave treatment. Massage the oil into your skin before you apply shaving cream, gel, or lotion to cut down on the occurrence of nicks.

Bio-oil softens your skin and allows you to enjoy a smooth shave. Post-shave, you can also use bio-oil on your face to hydrate your skin.  

4. Makeup primer and remover

The best canvas you can give your face beat is a smooth, slick face. And bio-oil best achieves that. It is an inexpensive makeup primer that works to improve dry cracks and patches on your skin before you apply foundation.

With bio-oil as the base, your makeup will not form clumps, or streaks, or look cakey. You can expect a seamless, dewy finish.

Additionally, oils are the best removers of oils. Besides your makeup is most likely oil-based. So, your bottle of bio-oil is very handy. While you use bio-oil to clean makeup off your face, your skin can relish in the vitamins and plant extracts.

Dampen a cotton ball with bio-oil and make gentle swipes over the makeup. It will easily lift the product. However, you should not use bio-oil to clean makeup around your eye area.

5. As face massage

Bio-oil can be used for every skin type. If you have been searching for an oil that will perfectly soothe your skin, make bio-oil your go-to face massage oil.

Its lightweight makes it easily absorb into your skin and nourish it while you massage your face with your hands or with a facial roller. Also, it aids the easy gliding of your massage tools.

Benefits of Using Bio-Oil for Face

Bio-oil has found a lot of cosmetic uses. Its many uses stem from its formula; lightweight and packed with essential and botanical oils. The oils nourish, hydrate, and moisturize your skin while the vitamins work together to regenerate cells giving you smooth, clear skin.

Moreover, you can use this dry oil in multiple ways without fear of clogged pores and acne breakouts. Bio-oil is suitable for all ages. And it is highly recommended as an anti-aging face oil.

While you use the oil on your face for any other purpose, the mineral oils promote skin elasticity. Down your skincare routine, as face oil, bio-oil acts as an occlusive seal over all other skincare products, keeping the ingredients and moisture locked in.

Side Effects of Using Bio-Oil for Face

Bio-oil is an amazing multi-purpose oil you can use on your face. However, it has its downsides. While you can use it for many things, it does not work well with broken and injured skin. If you apply bio-oil over cuts and bleeding wounds, it can aggravate things.

It contains linalool, the fragrance ingredient, which is a widely known allergen. Furthermore, if you are allergic to essential oils, you may want to read the ingredients again if you have sensitive skin.

Therefore, before you resolve to incorporate bio-oil into your skincare regimen, you should do a patch test on your forearm or inner wrist. Apply the oil and see how it reacts with your skin within 30 minutes into an hour.

FAQs

Should you use bio-oil before or after moisturizer?

You should apply bio-oil after moisturizer to boost the hydrating effects. Also, it helps to seal in the ingredients of all other products that you must have applied before.

Instead of rubbing it in, gently pat the oil into your skin to aid quick absorption. Oils can penetrate other skincare products but as an occlusive, no product can penetrate face oils.

Can you leave bio-oil on your face overnight?

Yes, you can. After applying moisturizer, gently pat bio-oil on your face until it is evenly distributed. It is a lightweight oil that absorbs quickly, so, there is no need to wash it off.

Moreover, your skin self-repairs at night. So, it is a great way to get extra hydration and replenishment.

How long does it take for bio-oil to work?

Bio-oil takes up to six to eight weeks before you can see any definite and impressive result. Consistently apply bio-oil twice a day to reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Bio-oil does not promise miracle work. It requires consistency and patience with your skin and its concerns. Skincare is only effective with time.

Does bio-oil expire?

Yes, it does. Under favorable conditions, bio-oil can last up to 36 months. When you have opened your oil, keep it in a cool, dry environment.

When you buy your oil, check for the expiration date and buy one with a longer term of use so you can enjoy your oil.

Conclusion

Can bio-oil be used on your face? Yes, it can. This non-comedogenic oil contains ingredients your skin should relish, from vitamins to botanical and essential oils. Although it is an oil, it has a lightweight formula and does not leave residues on your skin.

Bio-oil is used to solve a wide range of cosmetic problems that does not include treating stretch mark scars. It has proven effective in improving the appearance of acne scars and dark spots.

You can safely use bio-oil as a face oil or a vitamin booster in your body lotion. However, you need to check the ingredients list to be sure you are not allergic to any of the compounds. If you aren’t, then, way to go!

Finally, if you’re a first-timer with bio-oil, you should do a patch test first.

Now that you know if you can use bio oil on your face or not, this article goes further to highlight common scenarios where you can use bio oil or not.

Stay beautiful!