Bio-Oil: A Product Review

As you seen in the commercial, a woman with her son boarding in a car looks happy and no worries. The television commercial depicts that the woman has no worries anymore about her stretch marks and scars from her recent pregnancy. It is because she is confident that those skin problems have been cared by Bio-oil. So what really is Bio-Oil? What kind of skin problems can help to improve? How it is effective? And finally what are the ingredients that make it effective?

What is Bio-Oil?

Bio-Oil is an innovative skin product that can help to improve skin appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. It has also an anti-aging property and can help to hydrate dry skin. Bio‑Oil has won already 224 skincare awards and has become the No.1 selling scar and stretch mark product in 18 countries since its global launch in 2002.

What are the ingredients that make it effective?

The Bio‑Oil has a formulation of combined plant extracts and vitamins suspended in an oil base. It has a breakthrough and advanced ingredient PurCellin Oil™, which changes the formulation’s overall consistency, making it light and non-greasy. PurCellin Oil™ ensures that the goodness contained in the vitamins and plant extracts is easily absorbed.

Active Ingredients:

Botanicals

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (Calendula Oil)
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil (Lavender Oil)
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil (Rosemary Oil)
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (Chamomile Oil)

Vitamins

Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)

Oil base

Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)
Triisononanoin
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Isopropyl Myristate
Glycine Soja Oil
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
BHT
Bisabolol

Fragrance (Rose)

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Amyl Cinnamal
Benzyl Salicylate
Citronellol
Coumarin
Eugenol
Farnesol
Geraniol
Hydroxycitronellal
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Limonene
Linalool

Color

Orange: CI 26100 (Red 17)

What Kind of Skin Problems it improves?

Bio-Oil is effective against skin conditions such as scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, aging skin and dehydrated skin. Product administration and regimen can be found in the its packaging.

Who can use Bio-Oil?

Anyone can use it as long as skin problems are the concern. In fact, Bio‑Oil has undergone safety assessments in accordance with the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Cosmetic Products. The toxicological profile, chemical structure, level of inclusion and total level of daily exposure of each ingredient used has been assessed and deemed safe for use (including for use by pregnant women). Bio‑Oil is a member of Beauty without Cruelty.

Review:

Bio-Oil like the other leading scar and stretch mark products does not claim removal or totally treatment of scars and stretch marks. It is just helped to improve skin conditions as it is repeatedly said in their explanation in each skin application in their website. Also its results may vary from individual to individual.  I think Bio-Oil is not effective for depressed scars such as acne scars, poke marks, or scars from healed chicken pox. It is best to use for scars that have recently formed, flat or lump scars and hyper- pigmented scars. Improving uneven skin tone, skin aging and dehydrated skin can be effective due to its active ingredients that have antioxidant, hydrating, and lightening properties (such as Vitamin A, and Vitamin E, Botanical Oil Extracts and etc.).

Note: The opinion in this article is based only to the observations and readings of the author regarding this product. The author does not claim that his opinion is correct or wrong. If you have further questions for this product better contact the company to fully answer your queries.

Pharmaceutical Mixtures

Mixtures in Pharmacy are aqueous liquid preparations which contain suspended, insoluble, solid substances and are intended for internal use. The insoluble particles may be held in suspension by the use of suitable suspending or thickening agents since the insoluble substance does not make mixture very viscous.

The insoluble substance in mixtures must be in a very finely divided state and it must be uniformly distributed throughout the preparation. This is accomplished by the use of colloid mill, special methods of precipitation and suspending agents.

There are three main reasons for having the insoluble substance in as fine a state of subdivision as possible:

(1) The more nearly the colloidal state is approached by protective such as kaolin, magnesium trisilicate, and magnesium phosphate the more active they become as adsorbents and protective when in contact with inflamed surfaces. 

(2) Finely divided particles are suspended more readily and settle out much more slowly than large particles, thus enabling the patient to obtain uniform doses of suspended substance. Homogenous mixtures are especially desirable when administering medication to form an evenly distributed, soothing, protective coating on the gastrointestinal tract. 

(3) The palatability of many preparations is enhanced by the use of colloidal suspending agents.

Mixtures should be accompanied with a “Shake Well” label.

Preparation of Mixtures

Brown Mixture, NF

Other Names: Mistura Opii et Glycyrrhizae Composita; Compound Opium and Glycyrrhiza Mixture NF XI; Mistura Glyceyrrhizae Composita; Compound Mixture of Glycyrrhiza.

Formula:

Glycyrrhiza Fluidextract               120ml

Antimony Potassium Tartrate         0.24g

Paregoric                                       120ml

Alcohol                                           30ml

Glycerin                                        120ml

Purified Water, q.s.                   __________

             To make                          1000ml

Preparation:

Mix the fluidextract with the glycerin and 500ml of purified water, add the antimony potassium tartrate dissolved in 12ml of hot purified water. Add the other ingredients and enough purified water to make the product measure 1000ml.

Use: For coughs, often in combination with ammonium chloride.

Dose: Usual, 5ml

Note: This formula in which glycyrrhiza extract is replaced by the fluid extract will contain a precipitate, but it is intended to be dispensed without filtering, to retain its universally known classification as a mixture.

Kaolin Mixture with Pectin, NF

Other Name: Ka – Pek (APC)

Formula:

Kaolin                                 200g

Pectin                                    10g

Tragacanth, powdered            5g

Benzoic Acid                          2g

Glycerin                              20ml

Peppermint Oil                0.75ml

Purified Water, q.s.         ________

          To make                 1000ml 

Preparation:

Mix the kaolin with 500ml of purified water. Triturate the pectin, powdered tragacanth and sodium saccharin with the glycerin and add to this, with constant stirring, the benzoic acid dissolved in 300ml of boiling purified water. Allow the mixture to stand until it cools to room temperature and all the pectin is dissolved. Add the peppermint oil and the kaolin – water mixture, mix thoroughly, and finally add sufficient quantity of purified water to make 1000ml.

Uses: Adsorbent and demulcent. Agents cause adsorbent in diarrhea capable of being adsorbed as for instance diarrhea of food poisoning or dysentery.

Note: To obtain a product with suitable consistency when larger amounts are prepared, the quantity of tragacanth and, if necessary, of pectin may altered. However, if the proportion of pectin in the formula is altered by more than 10 percent, the pectin content of the preparation must be clearly stated on the label.

How to Use a Pregnancy Test Kit?

If you think you are pregnant the usual thing you going to do is to test your urine with pregnancy test kit. This kit tests the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) hormone of a woman. This hormone supports the ovulation and pregnancy. It is stimulated and released before or during the first month of pregnancy, so, it is important to test your urine after a delayed in menstrual period if you expecting to be pregnant.

Pregnancy test kit is an in vitro diagnostic test only. Meaning it is done externally by the use of urine. HCG hormone is found in urine that is why urine is used as test sample. The device use is usually USA standard pregnancy test kit and approved by FDA.

PROCEDURE OF TESTING

1. Allow the device and samples to equilibrate for room temperature before testing.

2. Remove the cassette from foil pouch

3. Draw urine specimen into dropper, and dispense 2 – 3 drops urine into the samples well on the cassette. (Urine should be freshly collected and should be contained in a clean container)

4. Read the results within five minutes.

READING THE RESULTS

Legend:

S – Sample

C – Control

T – Test

(+) POSITIVE: Both C and T have red lines appeared

(-) NEGATIVE: C only has red line

INVALID: if no red line/s appeared on C and T or the T has red line but the C did not.

Pregnancy Test Kit should be 99.9% accurate. Storage should be ranged between 4^oC to 30^oC (40^oF to 86^oF) and must not be frozen.

If the result is positive better to visit your OB-GYNE doctor to help you on your first weeks of pregnancy until you give birth, because your doctor will be your partner in taking care of your most important happening in your life.

Magmas

Magmas are aqueous suspensions of insoluble inorganic drugs. They differ from gels in that the suspended particles are larger. Magmas are thick and viscous, and so there is no necessity of suspending agents except for Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate Magma which contains suspending agents in addition to suitable preservatives and flavoring agents.

Magmas may be prepared by:

(1) Simple Hydration

(2)  Chemical Reactions

Examples:

(a) Bentonite Magma – It is prepared by simple hydration – sprinkling the parent substance on hot purified water.

(b) Magnesia Magma – It is prepared by hydration of calcined magnesia or by chemical reaction between sodium hydroxide and magnesium sulfate.

(c) Bismuth Magma – It is prepared by reacting bismuth nitrate with ammonium carbonate not by the process of simple solution with mixing but by previously reacting bismuth subnitrate with nitric acid and official ammonium carbonate with diluted ammonia solution and then mixing the resulting two solutions.

If the insoluble substance is freshly precipitated by mixing hot, dilute solutions, there is only slight sedimentation on standing. This characteristic of magmas is sometimes enhanced by passing the product through a colloid mill.

A great majority of magmas are intended for oral use. All magmas must bear a “Shake Well” label. Freezing should be avoided.

Preparations of Magmas

(1) Bentonite Magma, USP

Other Name: Magma Bentoniti

Formula:

Bentonite                           50g

Purified water,  q.s.       ________

           To make                1000ml

Preparation:

To make 800ml of heated purified water, sprinkle upon it the bentonite, in portions allowing each portion to become thoroughly wetted without stirring. Allow to stand with occasional stirring for 24 hours. Stir until a uniform magma is obtained. Add sufficient quantity of purified water to make 1000ml and mix.

It may also be prepared by mechanical means, such as by the use of a blender. Place about 500ml of purified water in the blender, and while the machine is running, add the bentonite. Add purified water to make up to 1000ml or up to the operating capacity of the blender. Blend the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes; add purified water to make 1000ml and mix.

Use: As suspending agent for insoluble medicaments.

(2) Bismuth Magma, NF

Other Names: Magma Bismuthi; Milk of Bismuth; Bismuth Cream.

Formula:

Bismuth Subnitrate                     80g

Nitric Acid                                120ml

Ammonium Carbonate               10g

Strong Ammonium Solution

Purified Water, each q.s.        _______

               To make                    1000ml

Preparation:

Add the bismuth subnitrate to 60ml of purified water mixed with 60ml of nitric acid in a suitable container, agitate and warm gently until solution is effected. Pour this solution with constant stirring, into 5000ml of purified water containing 60ml of nitric acid. Dilute 160ml of strong ammonia solution with 4300ml of purified water in a glazed or glass vessel of at least 12,000ml capacity. Dissolve the ammonium carbonate in this solution. Pour the bismuth solution quickly into it with constant stirring. If the mixture is not distinctly alkaline add sufficient diluted ammonia solution to make it so and allow it to stand until the precipitate has settled. Pour or siphon off the supernatant liquid and wash the precipitate twice with purified water by decantation. Transfer the magma to a strainer of close texture (to provide continuous washing with purified water) the outlet being elevated to prevent the surface of the magma from becoming dry. Allow the operation to proceed until the washings cease to yield a pink color with phenolphthalein test solution. Drain the moist magma, transfer it to a graduated vessel, add sufficient quantity of purified water to make the product measure 1000ml and mix thoroughly.

The above method may be varied provided the product meets the requirements of the National Formulary.

Uses: Astringent, adsorbent and protective in the treatment of diarrheas and intestinal inflammation and ulceration.

(3) Milk of Magnesia, USP, BP

Other Names: Magma Magnesiae; Magnesium Hydroxide Mixture; Cream of Magnesia; Magnesia Magma USP XVI.

Definition: It is a suspension of magnesium hydroxide containing 7 – 8.5% of Mg(OH)₂.

No Formula is given by the present USP as there are various satisfactory methods of preparation and any one of these may be used if the finished product conforms to the official specification.

Former Formula and Preparation:

Formula:

Magnesium Sulfate        300g

Sodium Hydroxide         100g

Purified Water,  q.s.

Preparation:

Dissolve the magnesium in sufficient quantity of purified water to make 650ml in a vessel of about 500ml capacity and heat to boiling. Dissolve the sodium hydroxide in sufficient quantity of purified water to make 1000ml. Add this slowly to the boiling solution of magnesium sulfate and continue the boiling for 30 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a cylindrical container of not less than 5000ml capacity and fill with hot purified water. Allow to stand until the precipitate subsides and remove the supernatant liquid. Wash repeatedly with hot purified water until all the sulfates have been practically eliminated as shown by testing the supernatant liquid with Barium Chloride T.S. Concentrate the mixture by evaporation until it contains not less than 7% of magnesium hydroxide.

Uses: Non-systemic gastric antacid and mild cathartic. When use routinely as antacid, the cathartic effect may be minimized by the occasional used of calcium carbonate.

Dose: 5 – 30ml usual antacid, 5ml four times a day.

Note: Purified water is used in the precipitation because the slightest trace of iron will cause discoloration. If the water available is free from iron and otherwise suitable, or if it has been heated to boiling with powdered magnesium carbonate (5 g in each 1000ml) and then filtered, purified water will not be necessary.

Cork stoppers should be protected by dipping them in melted paraffin otherwise the Milk darkens due to the action of the tannin in the cork. The product should be protected from freezing, as this alters the colloidal gel, and therw will be a formation of more dense precipitate and a clear stratum will separate on top.