There’s no doubt that pregnancy is a life-changing experience for every woman. A lot of changes happen to your body all through pregnancy, ranging from hormonal changes to physiological and physical changes. As a result, every friend, sister, or colleague wants to go all out with advice on things that work during pregnancy. A prime example is bio-oil use in pregnancy.
While most of these tips come from a good place, it is important to remember that each pregnancy is unique. One area where there’s usually a barrage of dos and don’ts is the area of self-care, especially regarding skincare and beauty routines.
Bio-oil has long been a favorite among pregnant women. However, like it is with a lot of popular products, no one is 100% certain about its safety for use during pregnancy.
This post weighs in on the safety, benefits, and possible risks of using Bio-Oil while pregnant. Without delay, let’s get into it!
What is Bio-Oil?
Bio-Oil is a cosmetic skincare oil that promises to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
If you’re in Asia, you’d probably know it as bi-oil or biol. The oil has the remarkable ability to improve the overall health of the skin by:
- Improving uneven skin tone
- Tackling dehydration
- Reducing signs of aging.
As a matter of fact, Bio-Oil skincare oil is the world’s leading scar and stretch mark product with over 400 awards to its name.
What are the Ingredients in Bio-Oil?
Bio-Oil contains a cocktail of vitamins and plant-based oils that provide natural hydration and calmness. In addition, this product contains ingredients that facilitate skin glow and repair.
Some of these ingredients include:
- Vitamins A and E
- Calendula
- Helianthus
- Rosemary
- Anthemis
- Lavender
- Chamomile oils.
It also contains the breakthrough ingredient, Purcellin Oil which reduces the thickness of the formulation and makes it easily absorbed. These oils serve primarily as anti-oxidants to help boost skin health and address several common concerns.
Benefits Of Bio-Oil
The following are some of the benefits that Bio-Oil promises to deliver:
- It helps to improve the appearance of both new and old scars.
- It helps to reduce the possibility of stretch marks forming during pregnancy.
- Helps to improve the appearance of existing stretch marks.
- Helps to improve the appearance of uneven skin tone in both light and dark skin types.
- Helps to retain skin moisture
- Helps to smoothen and tone aging skin on the face and body.
Is it safe to use Bio-Oil during pregnancy?
Bio-oil remains the most popular skincare product among pregnant women.
However, with all the buzz the oil gets as a “holy grail” for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy, there isn’t enough scientific data to back up whether or not it’s safe for use during pregnancy.
According to Bio-Oil, a company that originated in Europe, the oil has undergone safety assessments under the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on Cosmetic Products. The parameters used to assess the oil include its toxicological profile, chemical structure, level of inclusion, and total level of daily exposure.
As a result, scientists determined that the oil is safe for use even by pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Potential Risks Associated With Bio-Oil Use During Pregnancy
On the other hand, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S.A. has pointed out multiple ingredients in the oil as potential risks for pregnant and breastfeeding women regardless of the quantity of such ingredients that are used.
For example, one of its ingredients, retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A commonly referred to as retinol is an ingredient of concern for pregnant women. Generally, as a rule of thumb, it is often advised that if the potential risks of a product outweigh its benefits, such a product should be discarded.
The company however claims that the amount of vitamin A in Bio-Oil is well below the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCSS) threshold for safe use in pregnant women. In a bid to be more cautious, the company has developed a product that doesn’t contain retinoids and was shown to perform just as well as the original formulation.
The Takeaway
The number of dos and dont’s during pregnancy are endless.
As a result, making a decision on what is safe or unsafe can be overwhelming. That’s why we are here to help you. Remember, it is important to always filter information and make adequate research about any of your concerns.
Bio-Oil has been proven to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks, including those that form during pregnancy.
Some of its ingredients also infuse the skin with lots of benefits like reducing the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin tone. However, you should take note that some of these ingredients that are of great benefit to your skin while you’re not pregnant can potentially harm you or your child when you are. If you’re considering using Bio-Oil while pregnant, it is good to be informed about potential risks.
You should also make sure you discuss with your healthcare provider to determine what’s considered safe for you and your baby.
