Measuring Up Bio Skin Care:
Wonderful? or Worthless?
I've been amazed at how often the topic of Bio Skin Care comes up in my skin-related conversations. I've chosen, for a variety of reasons, not to use their products.
Because this site chronicles my skin care journey, I guess it's only natural (pardon the pun!) to share how I came to that decision.
Peg-4 Olivate
One of the main ingredients found in the Bio Skin Care Products is Peg-4 Olivate (you can see it listed on their website as an ingredient). Peg-4 Olivate is an emulsifer made from olive oil.
This compound is not natural and has been labeled as a Stage 4 Moderate Hazard by the Environmental Working Group. Here are the other dangers and restrictions placed on Peg-4 Olivate you should be aware of.
- It has been restricted by the governments of the US, EU, Japan, and Canada.
- It has been linked to the toxicity of these systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive through laboratory studies or studies of people
- There are concerns that in manufacturing Peg-4 Olivate, other dangerous substances may be introduced as contaminates. In particular, scientists worry about ethylene oxide and dioxane (remember the weed killer I mentioned on the home page). Both of these substances are Stage 10 hazards linked to cancers.
- You can see this information for yourself.
Olivem 800
In sharp contrast to Peg-4 Olivate, Xtend-Life has taken years to develop a pure olive oil ingredient called Olivem 800. Oilvem 800 contains a lipid fraction from olive oil that gives a much greater emollient effect on the skin compared to other common ceto-stearylic derivative compounds.
In addition to Olivem 800, Xtend-life also uses the oils from other natural substances like macademia oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and other substances to find the perfect moisturizing balance to keep skin supple and smooth without being oily.
If You're Going to Go Natural, than Go Natural!
After I compared the ingredients with Bio Skin and Xtend-Life, it became clear to me that Xtend-Life was a company that took the word "natural" seriously. Honestly, I felt a little jipped that I was being sold a "natural" product that was really only 1% natural!
...And Then There's The Price...
Besides the whole "I'm Natural! I've got 1% Natural Ingredients!" deception, I was also shocked that the sticker price. Here are some comparisons:
- The Bioskincare Body Cream is $74.00 for 4 ounces. (That's $18.50 an ounce.)
- The Xtend-Life Active Body Lotion is $52.35 for 5 ounces. (That's $10.47 an ounce.)
- Xtend-Life is $21.66 cheaper, and has 1 extra ounce of lotion!
- The Bioskincare Facial Cream is $59.98 for 1.76 ounces. (That's $34.08 an ounce.)
- The Xtend-Life Active Day Cream is $34.25 for 1.7 ounces. (That's $20.15 an ounce.)
- Xtend-Life is $25.73 less than Bioskincare
For Undecided Skin Types
The final reason I choose Xtend-Life over BioSkinCare is because all the Xtend-Life products are formulated and tested on all skin types. I find it really frustrating to have to re-purchase my skin care products throughout the year because my skin is changing.
I'm always oily in the summer and dry in the winter (and that's not including when I have "dry/oily" spots!). I love the fact that one well-researched product can treat my skin all year round.
My Conclusion
As I stated above, after all this research, I decided to turn my back on Bio Skin Care and go to Xtend-Life's natural skin care products instead. Not only am I getting truly 100% natural products, I'm also saving some serious cash! This switch saves me at least $200 every year.
I have no doubt in my mind that within a month you'll be as seriously hooked to Xtend-Life as I am. I guess the saying is true: be good to your skin, and it will be good to you.
