PRODUCT REVIEW: BIO OIL FOR SCARS, STRETCHMARKS AND CELLULITE

I think we all have marks, including scars, stretch marks, and uneven skin tone that we are not too fond off - and that's where Bio-Oil comes in, as it is a specialist skincare oil that helps improve the appearance of all of those imperfections, while also being great for dehydrated skin and as an anti-ageing product.

Bio-Oil was launched some 15 years ago, and has since then won countless skincare awards for its scar and stretchmark effectiveness. It is made from a range of plant extracts and vitamins including calendula oil, lavender, lavender, rosemary and chamomile oils, along with vitamins E and A, in an oil base also containing an ingredient called PurCellin Oil™, which makes the oil light and non-greasy, and helps the ingredients being absorbed into the skin.

And it promises to among others;  

• Improve the appearance of new and old scars
• Keep the skin supple and moist and reduce the possibility of stretch marks during pregnancy, teenage growth spurts and rapid weight gain
• Improve the appearance of existing stretch marks
• Improve the appearance of uneven skin tone
• Smooth and tone ageing and wrinkled skin on face and body
• Help supplement the skin's natural oils stripped away

The oil can be used as an intensive moisturiser, soothing after-sun treatment or even as a bath oil.

Personally, after two kids, I am very blessed to not have any stretch marks worth mentioning, but that said, I did also massage Bio-Oil into my belly at least once, if not twice daily, which I am convinced has made a difference. And not having any stretch marks, or any cellulite for that matter either, does mean that I cannot speak of the Bio-Oil's effectiveness there.

  

However, I can speak of the Bio-Oil as a scar treatment - a few years ago, I also used Bio-Oil as a 'spot' treatment on a surgery scar, and I am convinced that it has helped minimise its appearance to the point that if you didn't know if was there, you'd hardly see it. My husband has also been successfully been using it on a few scars where he has had moles etc cut out, and he also persistently applying it as he too believes that it makes such a difference. Unfortunately I am so unfortunate that mozzies seem to like me, and often I will end up with red marks once the bite has gone down, and I've made it a habit of applying the Bio-Oil afterwards, which again I am convinced helps speed up the healing and reduce future marks. So we always have a bottle handy in the bathroom cabinet, as you just never know when you need it.  

The Bio-Oil comes in several different sizes, but unless you use it as a bath-oil, even the smallest bottle will last you forever as it is so concentrate that you only need to use a tiny bit, so it is also exceptional value.

  

It has a pleasant subtle scent, but does contain some added fragrance - Personally I don't mind this added fragrance, but it has meant that I've sadly been advised against using it on my 1.5 year old's surgery scar, so it would be fantastic if there was also a non-fragranced version available for those with sensitive skin types as well as kids.

  

Bio-Oil - RRP: $14.99 /60ml, $24.99 / 125ml, $34.99 / 200ml  

Available from Priceline and select pharmacies

  

 * Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

  

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PRODUCT REVIEW: STRATAMARK STRETCH MARKS

I don't think I know of a single female in our group of friends, including mother's group, who does not complain about unsightly stretchmarks. Now, stretchmarks come for a lot of different reason, but one of them is rapid weight loss or gain - and hence many get these during pregnancies, and sadly, they often don't disappear again. I've been fairly lucky in that I've gone through two pregnancies, where I each time gained over 16kgs, that I didn't really get any major stretchmarks. I am not sure if its in my genes, or because I vigorously applied fatty moisturisers, especially onto y tummy several times a day -not actually to prevent stretchmarks, but more to try to calm the frustrating itchiness. 

 

That said I did get a few tiny tiny ones on my thighs - now, I am really not that bothered about them, firstly because they are that small, (if they were bigger and deeper, I'm sure I wouldn't be happy), but I guess that I've just accepted that it is just one of those things that happens when you have children.

Anyway, I was offered to trial Stratamark, so I happily accepted...

When the tube arrived in the mail, I was a little chocked. That tiny 20g tube! Seriously. And here I was slathering creams on my body during my pregnancy by the handfuls, surely this tiny wouldn't even cover one application, but I was very wrong. While it does come in a larger 50g tube as well, the smaller 20g tube can last you a couple of months, or at least a month if you are at the latter stages of pregnancy.

And yes, it is also suitable for use during pregnancy, lactation or for those with very sensitive skin. The stratamark is a gel that has been designed to prevent and treat stretchmarks, helping to soften and flatten them, as well as reduce redness and discolouration, and relieve any itching and discomfort. 

The gel is clear and has no scent, and it is also very light, and because of its formula, only the tiniest amount is needed, and hence why the small tube will last a very long time. When it is dry, it forms a think, flexible and protective layer on the skin, which is gas permeable and waterproof, and which allows the skin to normalise the collagen synthesis cycle, while hydrating and protecting it.

After having used the Stratamark Stretch Marks on my stretchmarks I am very pleased to say that they definitely appear less visible, and far smaller and not as deep in size. The were never red or discoloured, so I cannot comment on that, but overall I am very impressed. Again, I need to reinstate that my stretchmarks were very small to begin with, but if you have larger and more prominent stretchmarks, I'd highly recommend that you try Stratamark, as really, you've got nothing to lose!


Stratamark Stretch Marks - RRP: $49.95 / 20g - $89.95 / 50g

Available from Select Pharmacies Or for more information visit Stratamark Online 
  

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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BRAND FOCUS: ARMOABABY

Today I’d like to put focus on an Australian-made skin care range for babies and pregnant mothers.

The range is rich in certified organic, natural oils and contain no petro-chemicals, added colour (artificial or otherwise), artificial fragrance, animal ingredients, propylene glycol, parabens, sulphates, alcohol, cocoamphodiacetate, talc, herbal extracts , synthetic vitamin e, silicones or vegetable oils, and hence the products are not only super pure, they are also super gentle and suitable for the most sensitive of baby skins. Rather the products contain a certified organic and pesticide free and gmo free pure rosehip oil, natural vitamin e, avocado oil, jojoba, calendula, therapeutic-grade essential oils and more. soothing, certified organic oat and soy powders, edible-grade corn-starch and pure essential oils.


Stretched to the Limit Massage Oil for Pregnancy and Postnatal

This body oil has been designed to care for the skin during pregnancy and beyond when the skin is stretching. It helps moisture and nurture the skin, thanks to containing ingredients from cold pressed, organic avocado, jojoba, rosehip, sesame and evening primrose oils. The massage oil helps to soothe dry, irritated or rough skin, and can help encourage muscle tone and prevent stretchmarks on thighs, hips, buttocks, breast and the stomach, if used throughout the pregnancy and continued for a few months after giving birth. The light oil comes in an easy to use pump bottle, and has a slightly odd scent, which no doubt comes from the natural ingredients. But luckily it disappears rather quickly once the oil has absorbed into the skin. The oil does take a little while absorb into the skin, but once it has, it leaves the skin feeling soft and supple. As it is a little greasy, I like massaging it into my itchy tummy as I sit and watch TV at night, as that way it has plenty of time to absorb into my skin. 

RRP: $24.95 (125ml) – Available from AromaBaby



Organic Aromabath Powder

This bath powder has been made from certified organic oatmeal, organic lavender flowers and a blend of certified organic pure essential oils to help relieve and soothe itchy, irritated and dry skin. It can be used both postnatal for Mum, or even for your baby’s bath, which proves just how gentle it is. The bath powder is very concentrated, and you only use to use about 2 teaspoons, or even less if for your baby, so the large tub will last you for a while. My little boy is at the age where he does love his bubble bath, and luckily his skin is not dry so it can tolerate it. However, I can feel that when I’ve used the bath powder instead of the usual bubble bath, his skin is super soft, and smells so lovely too! The Aromabath can also be used to relieve itching and soothe redness associated with stings, bites, chickenpox and sunburn, but luckily we are yet to have a need for that!

RRP: $24.95 (150g) – Available from AromaBaby



Baby Bath Gel

This Bath gel is extremely gentle and is also sulphate-free, so it is perfect for babies and toddlers. It contains certified organic pure essential oils of French lavender and German chamomile work together to relax baby and help soothe and care for delicate skin, as well as it also contains vitamin E to help add moisture to the skin. Thanks to the essential oils it has the most gorgeous gentle scent. Because it is sulphate free, it doesn’t foam up as easily as ‘standard’ bath gels containing sulphate, but don’t be fooled, it still cleanses your skin, leaving it soft and smooth, and with the lovely scent of chamomile and lavender lingering on the skin.

RRP: $12.95 (125ml) – Available from AromaBaby



Pure Hair Cleanse

This Hair Cleanse is another extremely mild product, free from sulphates. I contains certified organic geranium and sweet orange pure essential oils, and it has a beautiful mild orangey scent that I really love. It is intended to help with scalp dryness, while gently cleansing the without stripping the hair and scalp from essential oils. It leaves my little boy’s fine blonde hair feeling soft and looking so shiny and healthy. It can of course also be used by adults with dry and irritated scalp.

RRP: $10.95 (125ml) – Available from AromaBaby



Moisturising Nappy Change Cream

This Nappy Change Cream has been enriched with cold pressed pure sweet almond oil, cocoa butter and vitamin E, and also contains essential oils of chamomile and neroli. It not only helps clean and moisturise the baby’s skin, it also helps soothe and calm irritated. My little boy has luckily never been affected by any nappy rash irritations in the nappy area, but I am also always making sure to care for his sensitive skin as best as I can. And applying just a small amount of this Nappy Change Cream to the nappy area after each nappy change, keeps his skin soft and smooth and protected from skin irritations, and smelling beautifully too – in fact so beautiful that I find myself using a tad more than I really need to massage it into my own hands! Yep, that’s right, this cream is multi-functional so it can in fact also be used as a hand and nail cream or even as a makeup remover! How brilliant is that!

RRP: $12.95 (125ml) – Available from AromaBaby



Barrier Balm

Finally, the Barrier Balm is an intensive cream that has been formulated to provide a barrier on the baby’s skin in the nappy area to protect from any irritations. I always, without fail, use a barrier cream on my little boy’s bum after changing his nappies, and it has proven worthwhile as his skin is so soft and smooth, and has never had any irritations. I love that this one contains no chemical nasties, but rather is enriched with natural evening primrose, vitamin e and calendula, to soothe the skin and moisturise at the same time. And it is so gentle that it can also be used on sensitive skin affected by eczema, or even on your lips as a lip nourishing lipbalm. The jar is tiny, but the cream is very concentrated so you only need to use a tiny amount.

RRP: $15.95 (25g) - Available from AromaBaby


So there you go, a selection of skincare products from AromaBaby. The products are all amazing and I love how gentle they are on my little boy’s skin, and how beautiful they smell – the scents are so natural coming from the natural ingredients, which is a refreshing change from the artificial scents that you usually find in skincare products. If you have a baby or toddler, or you are pregnant, - or if you suffer from sensitive skin, then I can highly recommend that you check out the AromaBaby product range, you won’t be disappointed! 

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


Have you ever heard of AromaBaby? Which skincare products do you use on your baby/toddler? And during your pregnancy?


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