During the โ90s, our grandmother and mother use to apply some homemade pack or face mask on the face to keep it healthy and moist, or just eat healthy and nutritious food. Nowadays, pollution and junk food consumption has increased to a level where proper care of the skin has to be done. Otherwise, it can lead to acne, pore, or not healthy skin.
And in our generation, we cannot wait for the result of homemade organic packs. Everyone needs the result fast and quickly. This led to an increase in the usage of various skin-related products, face washes, skin oils, serums, and several face packs. Now sometimes, we get confused between bio-oil and vitamin C serum. Both of them have their role and effect on the skin.
Key Takeaways
- Bio-Oil is a skincare product that contains a blend of oils and vitamins, including Vitamin E. In contrast, Vitamin C Serum is a skincare product primarily made up of Vitamin C.
- Bio-Oil is used to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and uneven skin tone. In contrast, Vitamin C Serum brightens skin, reduces hyperpigmentation, and protects against environmental damage.
- Bio-Oil is suitable for all skin types, whereas Vitamin C Serum may cause irritation or dryness in some individuals with sensitive skin.
Bio Oil vs Vitamin C Serum
Bio-oil is a skincare product that contains a blend of natural oils, including vitamins A and E, created to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, etc. Vitamin C serum is a concentrated formula containing high levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants that aim to brighten the skin.

Bio-oil is oil made of calendula, lavender, rosemary, and chamomile. Not only this, it is enriched with vitamins A and E and other ingredients, which are very helpful in treating any hyperpigmentation or scars-related problems. It is also very useful as it keeps the skin hydrating, which is essential for healthy skin.
Vitamin C is a facial serum used to hydrate and treat several skin-related problems. It is very affordable for the good it does to the skin. It contains L-ascorbic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E) or glutathione, and ferulic acid and is suitable for even sensitive skin types. Vitamin C helps in lightening acne scars and wrinkles, and many more.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Bio Oil | Vitamin C Serum |
---|---|---|
Meaning | It is a type of cosmetic oil. | Type of facial serum enriched with vitamin c. |
Type of | Face oil | Face serum |
Used for | soften wrinkles and reduce hyperpigmentation | Reducing acne scars and discoloration. |
Contains | calendula, lavender, rosemary, and chamomile etc. | L-ascorbic acid, tocopherol ferulic acid. |
Side Effects | Skin Irritation and Redness | Redness and itching |
What is Bio Oil?
It is the oil used for lightening scars and hyperpigmentation. It has various uses and benefits and can be used in more than one way. It can be used at night, left overnight on the face or in the morning as suitable.
Bio-Oil is considered beneficial for the following:
- For Wrinkles: bio-oil contains vitamin A, which is useful in lightening the skin and also promotes hydration making skin more plum, hence, reducing wrinkles.
- For Acne Scars: it is considered best for lightening and reducing acne scars. It can cure any acne scars easily and have positive results in doing so far.
- For Dark Spots: it helps cure the problem of hyperpigmentation or commonly known as dark spots, which are caused due to ultraviolet rays.
Side Effects: in general, bio-oil is natural and does not have any harsh side effects, but sometimes on sensitive skin, it can cause redness or irritation. Therefore, it is always advised to do a patch test before applying it directly to the face. And also, it is advisable to check all the ingredients to make sure you are not allergic to any of them.

What is Vitamin C Serum?
It is a gel-based serum containing Vitamin C. It is best for hydrating skin and removing the scars on the face. It is best for all types of skin as it is not thick and does not have any harmful ingredients. Vitamin C is otherwise also most beneficial for the body, and when applied directly to the face, it works the best.
It is not only helpful in removing scars but also evening out the skin helps in treating the problem of hyperpigmentations, reduces the dark circles under the eye (which is so common nowadays due to lack of proper sleep), it helps in collagen production and making the skin plum, therefore, removing the wrinkles, etc.
Vitamin C serum is very easy to use. Just 2-3 drops should be applied to the skin before moisturizing. Before applying it on the skin, it should be applied on the hand or any other area to make sure you are not allergic to it. Otherwise, it can only cause little irritation and redness on the first use and, afterwards, no side effects.
Therefore, using this serum is beneficial and gets absorbed quickly due to its watery consistency.

Main Differences Between Bio Oil and Vitamin C Serum
- Bio-Oil is a type of face oil, and Vitamin C Serum is a face serum.
- Along with the soften wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation Bio-oil also treats the scars and stretch marks on the body and smooths the skin, whereas Vitamin C Serum is used for reducing acne scars and the problem of discolouration.
- Bio-Oil Contains Various elements such as calendula, lavender, rosemary, and chamomile, and Vitamin E and A along with tocopherol, which helps in enhancing the skin, and ingredients of Vitamin C Serum including L-ascorbic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E) or glutathione, ferulic acid.
- Firstly Vitamin C Serum is applied to the face as most of the Vitamin C Serum has a thin consistency, and then Bio-oil is applied, which has a relatively thick consistency.
- Vitamin C Serum is used for the face, whereas Bio-oil can be used on any part. For example, it is highly recommended for the lightening of stretch marks.

- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032112003036
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ef0502397
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.9b00039
- https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/90/5/1252/4598114
- https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1987.tb23758.x
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.