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H&B Oils Center Co

Mineral oil in cosmetics - who can and who can't?

Mineral oil is one of the leaders on the blacklists of cosmetics ingredients. The main complaints against him:

  1. Petrochemical product.
  2. It is used in cosmetics only because it is cheap.
  3. Mineral oil is comedogenic - it clogs pores.

Let's figure it out.

Mineral oil is a petrochemical product

Mineral oil is really a refined product. And this phrase frightens many.

But first, oil is essentially a substance of natural origin - it is the remains of various ancient plants. Secondly, the properties of technical mineral oil should not be transferred to mineral oil, which is used in the cosmetic industry and pharmacology.

In cosmetics and pharmaceutical preparations (ointments, creams), mineral oil of the maximum purity is used.

And those compounds that are present in technical mineral oil and are really considered carcinogenic are absent in the oil that is used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical ointments. It is cleansed of these impurities.

Where did such attacks on mineral oil come from?

I do not know. But most likely not from over-caring for your skin. Perhaps this is aggressive marketing from those promoting natural oils and organic cosmetics. That is, competition, the struggle for the consumer.

And then both bloggers and consumers picked up not entirely correct information, especially since products with mineral oil are really not suitable for everyone.

There are skin conditions where mineral oil is a good choice, and there are situations where it can have unwanted side effects.

Used in cosmetics because it is cheap

If we are talking about good cosmetics or pharmaceutical preparations, mineral oil is used primarily because:

  • Hypoallergenic, can be used even in products for injured, inflamed and hypersensitive skin.
  • Does not droop, lies with a film on the surface of the skin.
  • Improves the condition of dermatological patients.
  • Helps aging skin retain moisture.
  • Convenient in work, when drawing up formulas, as it does not conflict with other ingredients, like some vegetable oils.

These are its main advantages and the main reasons for using it. And this is the answer to the question why in expensive professional and luxury cosmetics, for example, the famous cream from Elizabeth Arden or La Mer, mineral oil is used.

By the way, ANY cream contains 70-80 percent water. The most budgetary ingredient. And this does not bother anyone. An expensive cream MUST NOT consist only of expensive ingredients.

Mineral oil comedogenic

It is a myth. Mineral oil is not comedogenic, unlike coconut oil, for example. Coconut oil is really comedogenic - that is, it can clog the mouth of the sebaceous glands.

This does not mean that you have to throw away the coconut oil. You can apply coconut oil to your heels or the ends of your hair.

But do not apply coconut oil to the skin of the face, neck, back, décolleté, that is, to any areas of the skin where it can cause clogged pores and acne.

Mineral oil by itself does not clog the orifices of the sebaceous glands. It lies with a film on the surface of the skin and does not penetrate anywhere. But when using mineral oil products, some people can actually get comedones and acne.


Why is this happening?

Because the film that mineral oil creates can prevent sebum and sweat from flowing freely to the surface. In addition, this film can interfere with the normal exfoliation of dead cells, which will stick together and clog the ducts of the sebaceous glands.

Do you understand what the nuance is?

Mineral oil is not considered comedogenic because it does not clog pores by itself. But it creates a film that can clog the pores with its own sebum and keratinized cells. Especially if fat and sweating are increased.

Therefore, in some cases, mineral oil can be beneficial, while in others it can worsen the condition of the skin.

Manipulation of cosmetics manufacturers

There are situations when mineral oil is used unjustifiably in cosmetics. And I have already told about this more than once:

  • In a cream for young skin.
  • In a cream for mature healthy skin.
  • In lip balms.
  • In products for oily skin.

In these cases, it is used most likely because it is convenient to work with - it is easier to create a stable formula with it, such a product is stored longer and better.

But for the skin in these cases, there is no benefit, but unwanted side effects are possible.

And I want to touch on one more point - when the manufacturer positions a cream based on mineral oil as nourishing or anti-aging.

Mineral oil is inert.

It is not involved in biochemical processes. It is not nutritious like vegetable oils. It has the effect of helping to retain moisture, but only due to its physical properties. It just creates a film, an occlusion.

Apply the cream - there is an effect. Washed away - no effect.

The properties of mineral oil will not change from the cost of the cream. Another thing is that a good cream, in addition to mineral oil, can contain natural oils and other active ingredients.

Such a cream will have both nourishing and anti-aging effects. But since this is sometimes not enough for very dry and aging skin, the mineral oil in the cream will help to retain moisture.

Unfortunately, it happens that the anti-aging cream does not contain active ingredients or contains them in scanty amounts. In this case, there will be no improvement in the condition of the skin, the skin will feel comfortable only while the cream with mineral oil is on the face.

How to tell if a cream improves skin condition

The study of the composition often does not help, because we do not know the concentration of certain ingredients.

The high cost is also an unreliable advisor - the cream will not work just because it is expensive.

Therefore, if you are concerned about dryness, I advise you to periodically test the quality of your skin. If the skin condition does not improve, the cream will most likely return a comfortable feeling only while it is on the face.

Should I use cosmetics with mineral oil or not?

Who shouldn't:

  • Skin prone to oily, acne and clogged pores.
  • Young and mature healthy skin - do not use products with mineral oil on a regular basis. Only temporarily or in rinse-off products.

Who can benefit from:

  • Dermatological patients.
  • People with traumatized hypersensitive skin, for example after chemical peels and sunburn.
  • People with aging and very dry skin.

Of course, there are other nuances, but the main point is that if the skin is unable to retain moisture on its own, mineral oil will help you do this. It will be like a crutch.

If the skin is healthy, with prolonged use, it may sound paradoxical, but mineral oil can lead to dryness.

Because if the skin "walks on crutches" for a long time, it will forget how to "walk" on its own - the skin will not strengthen the lipid barrier in order to retain moisture on its own.

What for? After all, this task is performed by mineral oil.

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