
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
“Bi-Oil is also effective against the ageing signs and of dehydration of the skin.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum, urea
“Bi-Oil is also effective against the ageing signs and of dehydration of the skin.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - butyrospermum parkii butter - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.


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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Cetearyl ethylhexanoateOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateNaturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenic
More about Isostearyl isostearateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Sucrose laurateAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSebum of wool-bearing animals (most commonly sheep). Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce the skin water loss. In rare cases could be an allergen. Not suitable for vegans
More about LanolinUsed to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolUsed to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilA good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideAn excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidAn emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Linolenic acidPure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolAn essential oil that is used as a fragrance and can be irritating. It might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Anthemis nobilis flower oilA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Calendula officinalis extractA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilAn essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneParaffinum liquidum, Isopropyl palmitate, Triisononanoin, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Water, Isopropyl myristate, Urea, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Isostearyl isostearate, C26-28 alkyl dimethicone, Sodium lactate, Gluconolactone, Sodium pca, Sodium hyaluronate, Octyldodecyl pca, Sucrose laurate, Sucrose stearate, Lactic acid, Lanolin, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Silica, Glycine soja oil, Bht, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Niacinamide, Linoleic acid, Linolenic acid, Tocopherol, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Calendula officinalis extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Parfum, Farnesol, Limonene, Linalool, Ci 17200
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Bi-OilDry Skins GelYOUR PRODUCT | Elfa Pharm Atopi MedSoothing Milk | UltraceuticalsEven skin tone smoothing moisturiser | La Roche-PosayPosthelios After-Sun Face & Body Soothing Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 70% | 70% |
| Price | $8.46 | — | $95.00+$86.54 | $15.32+$6.86 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 19 | 8 of 19 | 4 of 19 |
| Key difference | — | — | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Dimethicone |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Based on the ingredients included, "Bi-Oil - Dry Skins Gel" works well for moisturizing the skin. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (urea, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lactate and sodium pca) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Paraffinum liquidum, glycine soja oil, isopropyl myristate, linolenic acid and butyrospermum parkii butter in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
The product retails from 6.40£ up to 21.26£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 39 studies and safety reviews.
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