PRODUCT REVIEW: BIOPHILE BIO BARRIER NOURISHING OIL – THE BEST PROBIOTIC FACE OIL TO RESTORE SKIN'S MICROBIOME
BIOPHILE | BIO BARRIER NOURISHING OIL
This review was originally part of my blog article titled, Brands I Love: Biophile Award-Winning Probiotic Skincare and the Best Facial Serum to Support Skin’s Microbiome. You can catch the full piece here.
—
When fall hits and the cold, chilly air sets in, one of my favorite treats is a good facial oil. In fact, I’m no fan of winter and there are only two things I look forward to between November and March — basketball season and facial oil season.
And quite fortuitously, I discovered both Biophile and the brand’s Bio Barrier Nourishing Oil at the start of the holidays, just as the bottom fell out of the weather in New York City and temps began to drop.
I’ve learned so much from the founder of Biophile Skincare, including the importance of our skin’s microbiome to skin heath. Based right here with me in Brooklyn, Biophile is the brainchild of Alison Cutlan — a brilliant biologist and former colleague of mine from Kiehl’s.
Alison and I have been spending a lot of time together the past few weeks and every time we meet up, I feel like I’m in science class. In fact, we recently filmed a wonderful session in her Biophile labs in which we talk in depth about the skin barrier and how ingredients penetrate the skin barrier — why they do, and why they don’t.
You can catch it on my YouTube channel here.
Each of the three products in the Biophile range is a powerful nutritional formula that works synergistically with the skin to nourish and promote optimum skin health by supporting the microbiome. And, each of the formulas is self-preserving — an extra-ordinary feat that raises the Biophile formulas to what I believe to be the next level of clean skin care.
The Biophile Bio Barrier Nourishing Oil is 82% fermentation-derived and powered by fermented Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Seed Oil. Biophile says it’s “a unique fermented oil with amplified nutrition, moisturization, and antioxidant power than conventional oil.”
Bio Barrier Nourishing Oil is a relatively lightweight, velvety oil that has no greasy feel and is more reminiscent of a dry oil — though it’s not exactly a dry oil. It feels super nourishing. And that’s because it is!
The first ingredient in the INCI is Squalane — one of my favorite non-fragrant plant oils that’s bio-compatible, meaning the skin recognizes it.
In fact, there’s a power blend of superb plant oils, in addition to both Squalane and the brand’s fermented Green Tea Seed Oil. Next is antioxidant powerhouse Grape Seed Oil as well as Sacha Inchi Seed Oil and Rosehip Seed Oil — which I consider the best anti-aging plant oil for use in skin care.
What is the microbiome?
I found an insightful article on the NIH website simply titled, The Skin Microbiome. This segment is helpful in understanding what the skin’s microbiome is and its role in the health of the skin:
An enhanced understanding of the skin microbiome is necessary to gain insight into microbial involvement in human skin disorders and to enable novel promicrobial and antimicrobial therapeutic approaches for their treatment.
The skin is an ecosystem composed of 1.8 m2 of diverse habitats with an abundance of folds, invaginations and specialized niches that support a wide range of microorganisms. The primary role of the skin is to serve as a physical barrier, protecting our bodies from potential assault by foreign organisms or toxic substances. The skin is also an interface with the outside environment and, as such, is colonized by a diverse collection of microorganisms — including bacteria, fungi and viruses.
WATCH AS BIOPHILE FOUNDER ALISON AND I TALK ABOUT THE SKIN BARRIER AND INGREDIENT PENETRATION IN OUR SERIES
SKINCARMA X BIOPHILE: STRAIGHT FROM THE LAB
NOW PLAYING ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.
The Bio Barrier formula also features moisturizing Vitamin E and Vitamin C in the form of Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, or THD — a stable, fat soluble form of the vitamin.
One of the more intriguing actives in this particular formula is Shizandra Berry Extract. Yeah, I had to look this one up as I’ve never heard of it! And good thing I did.
Schizandra (or Schisandra) is a fruit extract used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver conditions and stomach disorders — and it’s often found in a medicinal tonic that helps improve vitality.
“Also called the ‘five flavor berry’, oil soluble extracts from this ancient adaptogen have been shown to restructure and reinforce the Dermo Epithelial Junction (DEJ), thereby increasing skin firmness, elasticity and tone.” - Biophile
And just how unique is this bio-fermented oil? Biophile recommends using the Bio Barrier Nourishing Oil on moist skin for an “enhanced balm-like effect.” When you do, you’ll see just how remarkable the formula is. Your skin feels like it’s cocooned.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Biophile Bio Barrier Nourishing Oil for $118 here.
The Ingredient List of the Biophile Bio Barrier Nourishing Oil:
Squalane*, Pseudozyma Epicola/ Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil^, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil^, Plukenetia Volubilis (Sacha Inchi) Seed Oil^, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil^, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Schisandra Chinensis (Schisandra) Fruit Extract, Glycolipids*, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil^, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Extract^ [*82% bio made (fermentation derived), ^Organic]
