What is mineral oil in cosmetics?

Mineral oil is a natural stone?

There are many cosmetics that advertise that they do not contain "mineral oil." However, surprisingly few people know what mineral oil is.

Natural stones such as diamonds are also called minerals. Also, the English translation of "mineral" is "minerals." Therefore, some people wonder, "Can it be extracted from natural stones?" or "Is it an oil rich in minerals?"

In this article, we will explain in detail what minerals are used in cosmetics and their advantages and disadvantages.

What is mineral oil?

Mineral oil is produced during the process of distilling crude oil to make industrial oils. As I wrote at the beginning, "mineral" means "mineral" in English. Therefore, it is sometimes called " mineral oil ."

However, it has nothing to do with nutritional minerals (such as "vitamins and minerals"). It is also not something that can be extracted from minerals such as diamonds.

They come in a variety of forms, from soft wax-like solids to clear liquid oils, and their different viscosities make them suitable for a variety of uses, including:

• cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Candles
• wood
• Paper (wrapping paper, etc.)
• Food
• Crayons, etc.

Reasons for use in cosmetics

Mineral oil has the property of being easily compatible with oily ingredients. It is used in moisturizers such as creams and lotions because it is compatible with the sebum on the surface of the skin. It does not easily deteriorate on the skin, and helps maintain the stability of creams and other products.

Also, because it easily blends with the oils in makeup products, it is sometimes used as the main ingredient in cleansing oils.

On the other hand, it does not dissolve in water and repels it. It forms a film on the skin to give it a glossy finish, so it is often used in lipsticks and other products.

Is mineral oil bad for your skin?

Even though it seems to be an excellent cosmetic ingredient, why are there an increasing number of "mineral oil-free" cosmetics?

Many people have the impression that it is bad for the skin, but there are probably a few reasons for this. Let's take a look at the reasons and the truth behind them.

Is it true that it can cause skin irritation?

It is sometimes said that mineral oil forms a film on the skin surface, which is impermeable and "prevents the skin from breathing."

However, in reality, skin does not breathe, so this opinion does not make sense. The purpose of the film that mineral oil creates on the surface of the skin is to prevent moisture from escaping, trapping moisture in the skin.

It also rarely clogs pores or causes skin irritation. If there is, it is when there is something unwanted on the skin before applying mineral oil. If you apply mineral oil on top of a substance that is irritating to the skin, the film keeps the irritating substance in contact with the skin. This may cause skin irritation.

Dry Skin

Mineral oils are highly compatible with oils, so they also blend with sebum. When used as a moisturizer, their properties provide added protection and make skin feel less dry.

However, you need to be a little careful when using cleansing oils or facial cleansers, as the surfactants contained in them can remove a lot of the sebum that has blended well with mineral oil.

This is why people say that cleansing oils tend to cause dry skin. They remove too much of the oils that are necessary for skin moisture.

In other words, cleansing oils whose main ingredient is mineral oil often tend to dry out the skin after washing.

Is the idea that it is carcinogenic an old saying?

Before the development of manufacturing technology for cosmetics, there was a possibility that impurities were mixed into mineral oils. In the past, there were cases where carcinogenic substances called PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) were mixed in. However, that is no longer the case.

Modern cosmetic technology has improved significantly.
The degree of refinement of mineral oils is said to be at a pharmaceutical level. The ones used in the EU and Japan are particularly highly regarded for their refinement and safety. When used in lip products , they are even considered safe to ingest orally.
*However, there are no regulations on residual PAH levels in the United States, so you may need to be a little careful with cosmetics made in the United States.

Is it a lie that it “interferes with the skin barrier”?

As mentioned above, mineral oil forms a film on the skin, which is why some people think it may interfere with the skin's natural barrier function .

However, mineral oil does not penetrate the stratum corneum, but rather remains on the surface of the skin, playing a role in protecting sensitive skin.

Terrible dry skin .
The skin barrier has been weakened due to burns, etc.

In such cases, it acts as a substitute for the skin barrier to protect the skin. Vaseline (a type of mineral oil) is prescribed to patients with burns and wounds because of its safety, stability, and protective power.

However, it may not be very effective to apply it to healthy skin that has a strong barrier function. Remember that it is only an ingredient that supports the function of the skin barrier.

Types of mineral oil

Mineral oils come in different forms. The main mineral oils used in cosmetics are as follows:

• Paraffin oil
• Vaseline
• Liquid Paraffin
• Mineral oil
• Microcrystalline Wax

Both are derived from petroleum, so they have a bad image and tend to be disliked as cosmetic ingredients.
However, as we have written so far, it is a reliable ingredient with low risk when the skin barrier is weakened. It may be a good idea to use different moisturizers depending on the condition of your skin.