Bio-Oil
Skincare Oil
8/10 overall£9.99 (60ml)
The best-known stretch mark oil in the UK, commonly recommended by pharmacists for use through pregnancy.
Bio-Oil has been the default recommendation in UK pharmacies for scars and stretch marks for years, and pregnancy use is one of its most common applications. It's a light, fast-absorbing oil blend (including vitamin A and E, and various plant oils) designed to be massaged into the bump, hips and chest as skin stretches.
It isn't marketed as pregnancy-specific — the same formula is sold for scars and uneven skin tone generally — but that's also part of its appeal: it's a single product that keeps being useful after the baby arrives, for C-section scars or general skin recovery, rather than something you buy once and never touch again.
Against pregnancy-specific balms like Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Butter, Bio-Oil is thinner and absorbs faster, which some people prefer for daytime use under clothes, while others find a thicker balm more soothing on a very tight, itchy bump in the third trimester.
What we liked
- Widely recommended by UK pharmacists, not just marketed at pregnancy
- Light, fast-absorbing texture works well under clothes
- Stays useful after birth for scars and skin recovery
Where it falls short
- Lightly fragranced, which some people prefer to avoid in pregnancy
- Thinner texture gives less of a soothing, occlusive feel than a balm
Specs
- Size
- 60ml (also sold in 125ml, 200ml)
- Format
- Oil
- Fragrance
- Lightly fragranced
- Key ingredients
- Vitamin A, Vitamin E, plant oils (e.g. calendula, lavender, rosemary, chamomile)
How we scored it
Absorption & Feel
How quickly it sinks in and whether it leaves a greasy residue on clothes.
Fast-absorbing, non-greasy — comfortable to use under clothes during the day.
Ingredients & Safety
Pregnancy-safe formulation, fragrance-free options, and ingredient transparency.
Widely used in pregnancy, but lightly fragranced rather than fragrance-free.
Value for Money
Cost per use if applied daily across a pregnancy, not just the shelf price.
Reasonable cost per ml and a small amount goes a long way.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative
Palmer's
Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
A budget-friendly cocoa butter lotion aimed squarely at stretch mark prevention through pregnancy.