mineral oil

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Mineral oil (also called paraffinum liquidum) is the main ingredient in many baby care items as well. Baby oil, vaseline (petroleum jelly), baby wash liquid soap, and baby lotions all contain mineral oil as a key ingredient. Mineral oil is also, however, subject to debate.

Opponents say mineral oil is linked to cancer, allergies and immunotoxicity and irritation of the skin, eyes or lungs and that it can lead to premature aging and causes acne, though of course all these are debatable and not conclusively proven. Nevertheless we therefore often see the advice that people should avoid mineral oil at all costs.

This advice is not based on any scientific studies though. Therefore the 'advocates' state mineral oil is a perfectly fine ingredient, that it has been used in cosmetics for over 100 years and invalidate the 5 most proclaimed negative side effects of mineeral oil as follows: 

• Mineral oil is contaminated with carcinogens. While it’s true that some petroleum derivatives contain carcinogenic materials (like some polycyclic aromatic compounds) the mineral oil that is used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry is highly refined and purified. It’s purity is even regulated by the US FDA and other international regulatory agencies. There is absolutely no evidence that cosmetic grade mineral oil causes cancer. And there has been plenty of testing done to ensure that fact. We could find no published reports in any of the dermatological or medical journals indicating a link between mineral oil and any forms of cancer.
• Mineral oil dries the skin and causes premature aging. Mineral oil works as a barrier between the skin and the air. It acts as an occlusive agent which prevents water from naturally leaving your body through your skin. It will not dry out your skin or cause premature aging. Quite the contrary. It will provide moisturization.
• Mineral oil robs the skin of vitamins. Since many vitamins are oil based, people assume that mineral oil will pull them out of your skin. There is no legitimate scientific evidence that this is true. Mineral oil has no effect on the vitamin levels in your skin.
• Mineral oil prevents absorption of collagen from collagen moisturizers. Collagen in your skin lotions and moisturizers is too big to actually penetrate your skin. Therefore, mineral oil will have no effect on whether the collagen gets absorbed or not.
• Mineral oil causes acne. In some people, mineral oil can exacerbate acne problems. However, most people will not experience any problems.

So in the end: the truth lies somewhere in between. It is up to you to decide wether you’re worried about the possible side effects and/or want to avoid mineral oil by all means. Fact is that no one applies pure mineral oil on their skin and if you would do so, it will not be in very large and unsafe amounts. As mineral oil forms a 'layer' on the skin the chance on skin irritation is very small.

Nevertheless: more and more skin care products are free of mineral oils as cosmetic companies don't want to produce products that contain substances that could raise objections. This is the reason why cosmeceutical brand emerginC, as a natural skin care brand, doesn't contain mineral oil (nor synthetical preservatives, colorants or fragrances).

As there is no conclusive evidence linking mineral oil in moisturizers with health problems, and no conclusive evidence that mineral oil is safe to put on your skin, the best advice is to try good quality natural skin care products to see how well they work for you.

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