Mineral oil is a
clear, colorless and odorless liquid obtained as a byproduct of
the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline and other
petroleum-based products from crude
oil. Chemically
speaking refined mineral oil is a mixture of two types of saturated
hydrocarbons (alkanes) in the C15 to C50 range. Parraffinics are branched-chain
alkanes, and naphthenics are alkanes which contain one or more saturated cyclic
structures. Parraffinics are characterized by a higher viscosity than
naphthenics, which have a non-waxy nature. The ratio of parraffinics to
naphthenics determines the physical properties of a mineral oil. It may be
worth keeping in mind that mineral oil is known under many different names
including liquid paraffin, paraffin oil, parraffinum liquidum, liquid
petrolatum, petroleum oil, white mineral oil, and white oil.
A wide variety of
cosmetics, such as cold creams, lotions, makeup products, baby oils, shampoos,
hair conditioners, bath oils, soaps, lip balm, gloss, and lipsticks contain
mineral oil. Some of the reasons why it is so widely used in cosmetics are that
it is cheap, has a nice feel to the skin, and unlike vegetable oil will not
spoil. Probably the most common function of mineral oil in cosmetics is
moisturization. The term ‘moisturization’ means that water loss is reduced
(even though no water is added to the skin). Mineral oil is known to have low stickiness,
high absorption time, good slip and smoothness. Knowing all of this it seems
logical why mineral oil is used so widely in the production of cosmetics.
Recently it has become
a widely discussed topic whether mineral oil is safe for our skin. Since
ingredients of products we put on our skin are absorbed into our body we should
be aware what products we use and how they can affect our health and wellbeing.
I have come across many pro as well as anti mineral oil articles and have
started to wonder myself where the truth lies. For example according to http://www.paulaschoice.com:
“Cosmetics-grade
mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most nonirritating
moisturizing ingredients ever found (Sources: Cosmetics
& Toiletries, January 2001, page 79; and Cosmetic
Dermatology, September 2000, pages 44–46). Yes, they can keep air off the
skin to some extent, but that’s what a good antioxidant is supposed to do; they
don’t suffocate skin! Moreover, mineral oil and petrolatum are known to be
efficacious in wound healing, and are also among the most effective
moisturizing ingredients available (Source: Cosmetics &
Toiletries, February 1998, pages 33–40). Mineral oil is not an ingredient
to avoid unless you have oily skin, in which case the somewhat greasy texture
of mineral oil won't feel the best (but again, mineral oil doesn't clog pores
or suffocate skin).”
On the other hand we
read disturbing information such as those I found on http://www.herballuxuries.com:
“Mineral oil acts as a
thin layer on the skin. It is difficult to absorb and clogs the pores, which
slows the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. Remember, the skin is the body’s
largest organ and plays an important role in maintaining overall health! Once
the oil is absorbed, it is broken down by the liver and passes through the
intestinal tract, it will absorb all of the fat-soluble vitamins found there.
It is essentially stealing important vitamins from the body, which the body
will not be able to replace. This can eventually lead to nutritional
deficiencies. Studies have also shown forms of pneumonia caused by mineral oil
decreasing lung function, known as lipoid pneumonia.”
Sounds disturbing, right?
So who should we believe? I started searching through some scientific journals,
trying to find information whether mineral oil is really ‘evil’ for our skin.
What I found was articles rather praising the effect of mineral oil and trying
to convince me that mineral oil is beneficial for my skin.1,2 Somehow I am still
not convinced. I read the scientific facts, but then again I am a scientist
myself and I know better than to believe everything I read in articles. For the
moment I cannot say I found any hard facts that mineral oil is bad for you.
What I do know is that you cannot expect from it anything more than
moisturizing your skin as mineral oil does not contain any nutrients or
minerals. Unlike for example almond oil which not only works as a moisturizer,
but is also rich in vitamins C and E.
I make a lot of my own
cosmetics and when I choose an oil for my products I want it to be more than
just a moisturizer. Even if it’s not harmful I want it to have minerals
and vitamins which are beneficial for my skin. Therefore I do not use mineral
oil in the creams and lip balms that I make and I advise you to chose products
with a different moisturizer as well.
1. A. V. Rawlings, K. J. Lombard, Int. J. Cosmetic Sci., 2012, 34, 511-518.
2. D.S. Morrison, J. Schmidt, R. Paulli, J. Appl. Cosmetol., 1996, 14, 111-118.
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