9 Ways to Use Bio-Oil, the Drugstore Scar Treatment People Love

Like hot sauce, I use this sh*t on everything.
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Recently, I burned my neck with a curling rod (not my finest moment), and immediately I knew the bubbling burn was going to settle into a gnarly scar. Then, I remembered I had a bottle of Bio-Oil stashed in the back of my bathroom cabinet. I had bought it when a scab I picked left a dark scar on my knee. Once that mark had pretty much faded, so too did the memory of that bottle. But I was thrilled to rediscover it after this latest beauty mishap.

Similar to coconut oil or Vaseline, Bio-Oil ($12) is a drugstore product that can be used on so many different parts of the body in so many different ways. Around since the ’80s, it’s a blend of lavender, calendula, rosemary, and chamomile oils, and vitamins A and E. Simple but effective, and not just for scars.

Once I slathered my burn in Bio-Oil, I got to thinking of the many other ways I could incorporate it into my beauty routine, rather than let it languish on my shelf any longer. I spoke to a dermatologist and came up with nine uses for Bio-Oil, for my skin and hair. Oh, and that curling iron burn? After consistent applications of Bio-Oil, the blister is gone without any permanent scarring.

1. Bio-Oil helps minimize the appearance of scars.

A lot of people, like me, discover Bio-Oil when they want to reduce or minimize scars. I can personally attest to the fact that it’s very effective.

When the skin is damaged due to a trauma—my curling iron burn is the perfect example—the body begins to form new collagen fibers. These new fibers have a different texture, color, and quality than the untouched skin. The new area becomes a scar. Experts agree you should keep a wound clean and moisturized in order to help the healing process and keep scarring to a minimim. Bio-Oil has several ingredients that can help on both fronts. “Calendula oil has antibacterial properties that promote the fast healing and regeneration of the skin,” explains Dendy Engelman, M.D., dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in NYC. “Vitamin E provides hydration and antioxidants that help with dermal repair.” And, she adds, “The chamomile oil in Bio-Oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help improve scarring and redness.”

It’s important to note that Bio Oil should only be applied once a wound has healed and not while it’s still open. But rubbing it in once or twice a day once the wound closes can help prevent a noticeable scar from forming. It can also fade years-old marks. Just massage onto the skin in gentle, circular motions, explains Dr. Engelman.

2. It’s a moisturizer for face and body.

Oil is a great moisturizer for all skin types; yes even oily skin. As a person who tends to get oily around the t-zone, I totally get the hesitation to apply oils. However, Bio-Oil seeps into the skin almost instantly so there’s none of that left-behind slick or grease. Not only is it nourishing for the face, but it’s great to use pretty much over your body, from your patchy elbows to your dry lips. “The vitamin E increases moisture levels of epidermis and protects skin from the effects of external stressors,” explains Dr. Engelman.

3. It can calm redness.

I can only pluck my brows if I plan on staying in for the following few hours. My poor sensitive skin just gets so red and irritated all around the hairs that even my best concealer can’t hide it. Dr. Engleman says the anti-inflammatory properties of the chamomile oil in Bio-Oil can reduce redness, while the rosemary oil soothes.

4. It works like a face serum.

No need to depend on fancy, shmancy serums to get a smooth, even complexion. Bio-Oil contains vitamin A, which helps boost collagen production, and vitamin E, which protects the skin against the effects of free radicals that can weaken and damage skin.

5. It can smooth out split ends.

Bio-Oil doesn’t permanently repair or get rid of split ends, but adding a bit to broken strands of hair can help smooth them out. “Oil can help temporarily seal split ends,” says Dr. Engelman. “But the only thing that can get rid of split ends is a good trim.” So for a quick fix, Bio-Oil is your answer.

6. It softens dry, peeling cuticles,

The same way Bio-Oil moisturizes your skin and hair, it can also help treat dry, cracked cuticles. “Bio-Oil nourishes cuticles so skin cells aren’t dried and raised,” explains Dr. Engelman. I like to keep a small bottle at my desk so when I get distracted or bored, I’ll just dab a bit along the tops of my nails. It’s such a fast absorbing oil, that it doesn’t even get on my keyboard.

7. It’s great as a bath oil.

I’ll add a few drops to the bath. The scent of lavender relaxes while rosemary provides an invigorating aroma. I keep the bottle handy to add more scent to my soak.

8. You can use it as a makeup remover.

Oil cleansers are my favorite way to take off makeup. They’re gentle, easy and hydrating–everything my skin needs. Bio-Oil can provide this same benefit for even the most difficult-to-remove makeup. “Bio-Oil can bind to oil molecules in your makeup to make removal easier and less irritating than scrubbing with a soap or alcohol-based makeup removing product,” says Engelman.

9. Mix it with bronzer for a dewy glow.

Since this oil isn’t super slick or slippery, you can mix it with your favorite bronzer (powder or liquid) to give you a dewy, sun-kissed glow. I add just a drop or two to my Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan ($49) and swipe on right where the sun would hit my skin.