I have only just recently taken to body and face oils. Once
I always thought that they would leave my skin feeling greasy, and sticky. Then
I realised that was not the case. When
I was asked to trial the *Hydra Oil by the lovely and talented makeup artist, Tammerly
from Spoilt by Pink Diva, I naturally happily accepted. Here are my thoughts;
What They Say:
"Hydra-Oil is a body oil specially formulated to help
diminish the appearance of scars and other skin discolorations such as spots
and stretch marks."
RRP: $16.95 (60ml), $20.95 (125ml), $26.95 (200ml) –
Available from Coles.
What I Say:
This formula contains antioxidants and essential oils that
aid in evening out skin tone and nourishing mature and dehydrated skin.
Hydra-Oil is a new oil from South Africa that claims to
diminish the appearance of both old and new scars. It also claims to help
reduce the possibility of stretch marks during pregnancy or weight changes, and
diminish the appearance of existing stretch marks. Finally it also claims to
help even out skin tone and help smooth, moisturise and tone dry skin.
Very big claims, so I put them to the test. The Hydra-Oil is a body oil, which is dermatologically
tested, preservative free and claims to be non-greasy and easily absorbed.
Being over 38 weeks pregnant,
it was obvious to start using it on my tummy. So far I have not noticed any
stretch marks, but I have also been vigorously applying other creams several
times a day for the first many months.
Although not yet having any
stretch marks, my tummy does get itchy a few times during the day, and that is
when I find that applying a cream is helping soothe the skin, and stop me from
scratching it to bits. I consequently started using the Hydra-Oil instead, and
just a few drops warmed in the hands and then massaged onto the skin on my
stomach, do help calm the itch very quickly. And in spite of it being an oil,
it actually, surprisingly, does absorb into the skin rather quickly without
making the skin feel or look greasy. So also no need to worry that any residue
should transfer onto clothes and ruin it! While the Hydra-Oil does help with
the itch, and also makes the skin feel soft and moisturised, as my stomach is
obviously still growing, it is unfortunately too soon to tell if the oil is
having any true effect on preventing stretchmarks.
I also tried to use the
Hydra-Oil on my face as I have a bit of pigmentation, as well as I have some
scarring from past acne. However, I very quickly realised that the oil was
simply too greasy to use on my face, and it definitely didn’t work under
makeup. It simply made my combination skin feel even oilier, and my makeup
slide off my face not long after I put it on. And even used at night, I felt I
woke the next morning with very greasy skin. Consequently I stopped using the
Hydra-Oil on my face.
I did try to use it on my chest
where I also have some pigmentation, and while the skin there is enjoying the
rich oil, it is again, it again too soon to tell if it has made any difference.
I have also been using the
Hydra-Oil on an old surgery scars, but again, I have not noticed any major
difference. But this is also a very old scar, and in the end of the day I
also doubt that any product can completely remove scars and stretch marks! But Hydra-Oil is also recommending using for a
minimum of 3 months to see results, so it is a little too early for me to cast
a final verdict.
Used on my dry summer legs
after a shower, the oil does quickly absorb into the skin, and leaves it soft
and subtle, and after just a few days of use it seems to restore the moisture
balance in the skin.
The
Hydra-Oil contains among others chamomile oil to soothe and calm the skin,
lavender oil to help treat scars and fade stretch marks, rosemary toil to help
remove dryness and tone the skin, calendula oil to repair dry and damaged skin
and act as an anti-inflammatory. It also contains sunflower seed oil rich in
fatty acids to help moisturise the skin, Vitamin A to help fight the signs of
aging as well as Vitamin E to help soften appearance of scars and reduce
wrinkles and fine lines.
The
Hydra-Oil also has one essential ingredient called Tri Nano Oil, which
is to act as a non-greasy emollient and helps with increased skin absorption.
Unfortunately,
the Hydra-Oil also contains mineral oil – and it is actually ingredient listed
on the packaging, which means that the majority of the Hydra-Oil is more than
likely made up from mineral oil. Mineral oil is a common
ingredient in many skincare products. It is produced as a by-product of the
distillation of gasoline from crude oil. And because it is a by-products it is inexpensive
– in fact, it is said that it is more expensive to dispose of mineral oil, than
to purchase it!
There are
those who say that mineral oil is perfectly safe to use in skincare products,
and others who claim that it acts as a ‘barricade’ on the skin,
difficult to absorb and it clogs the pores, slowing the skin’s ability to
eliminate toxins. Either way, it would have been nice with the mineral oil had
been listed further down the list ingredients, and the Hydra-Oil thereby had
contained less of the mineral oil.
The Hydra-Oil comes in a clear plastic bottle with a screw
lid, which once removed reveals a dropper inserted into the opening of the
bottle, which makes it easy to get just the amount of oil needed without
spilling it. I also like that the bottle is clear, so you can easily see how
much product is left in the bottle.
The oil is very concentrated, and only a very little is
needed, even when using it to moisturise the body. This also means that the
large 200ml bottle will last a very long time, making good value for money.
All in all it is good oil for moisturising dry skin, but
when it comes to preventing stretch marks, and minimising pigmentation and
scars, unfortunately I have not seen any major improvements after using it for
about a month.
*This product was kindly provided for trial by Spoilt by Pink Diva, and it
has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
Have you ever heard of Hydra-Oil? Do you use any body oils? Do you have stretch marks, scars or pigmentation? What do you use to treat them with?
