- What are mineral oils?
- Listing of mineral oils in product labels
- Disadvantages of mineral oils in skincare and haircare
- The Cocosoul promise
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who doesn’t like a divine smelling hair care or skincare product and enjoy how smooth and satisfying it feels? But have you ever glanced at the ingredients list at the back of the bottle? Often the products that we know and love the most contain certain chemicals, and other additional elements that may not be the best choice for your hair and skin. One such ingredient is mineral oil. And we’re here to tell what mineral oil is and the effect it can have on your hair and skin.
What Are Mineral Oils?
Mineral oils are colourless, odourless, liquids. These are derived from fats of fossil origin and are pure and refined in nature. You will often find mineral oil in skincare, hair care and other personal care products. Mineral oil in skincare products help the skin retain its moisture. Often some individuals are sceptical about incorporating mineral oils in their skincare, as some are derived in their crude form, as petrochemicals. However, certain mineral oils are more refined, pure and pharmaceutical, and can still be used for the skin. Pure mineral oil for the skin is usually recommended for it’s hydrating nature, but there might be potential side effects of using it too.
Listing of Mineral Oils in Product Labels
Mineral oils can be mentioned in multiple ways on the label of your favourite skincare or hair care product. If you don’t find it directly, here are some other names of mineral oils that you can look out for:
- Petrolatum
- Heavy mineral oil
- Light mineral oil
- Liquid paraffin
- Mineral oil mist
- White mineral oil
- Petroleum oil
- White oil
- Paraffin oil
- Vaseline
Mineral oils are commonly found in the form of two compounds, in cosmetic products. These are Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH), a type of saturated hydrocarbon, and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH), which go through an intense process of purification before actually being used on the body. If you’re looking for an example of mineral oil in skincare, you’ll find it in cosmetics like foundations, body creams, and haircare. Some mineral oil ingredient names found in waxes include- microcrystalline wax and synthetic wax.
Disadvantages of Mineral Oil in Skincare and Hair care
Now that you know what mineral oil is, you may be wondering why this ingredient is being discussed so much. Although mineral oils have numerous benefits, which make them a vital part of skincare, one should know when to avoid them. If you’re experiencing skin irritation, or getting acne, you should refrain from using them. Even though they’re often non-comedogenic in nature, mineral oils form a protective layer around the epidermis of the skin, which leads to clogged pores and dirt formation on the skin. If you’re someone with oily or combination skin, mineral oil is something that you should definitely avoid. Using mineral oils also goes against clean beauty standards, since they are originally derived from petroleum, a nonrenewable source. So if you want to opt for a sustainable standard of living, choose skincare products and hair oil without mineral oil. In fact, using mineral oil on the hair can have possible side effects like scalp irritation and allergic reactions. If they come in contact with your eyes, hair oil containing mineral oil can cause major eye irritation as well. Hence, it’s recommended to purchase hair oil without mineral oil, in order to avoid such effects.
The Cocosoul Promise
Now that you know what mineral oil is, and what role it plays in the skincare and hair care products, this knowledge can help you make better choices in future. Although some experts still find it absolutely safe as an ingredient in their products, we at Cocosoul, avoid any addition of mineral oil in any of our products. Be it the Coco Soul Revitalizing Face Wash or the Coco Soul Shampoo, all of our products are free from sulphates, chemicals or mineral oils.
You can read all about the benefits of sulphate free shampoos and the harmful effects of sulphates on hair and skin on our blogs here. Moreover, they’re 100% vegan. The most important reason for this is that we understand the importance of clean beauty, and believe in a sustainable lifestyle of living. Avoiding mineral oils in our products is proof of that. We create skincare and hair oils without mineral oil, and instead replace it with the power of fresh coconuts, and traditional ayurvedic herbs, to give your skin the breath of fresh air that it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the use of mineral oils in skincare?
Mineral oils in skincare are found after going through an extensive process of purification. These are of high and pharmaceutical quality. They have water repellent and moisturising qualities, which make them a useful addition to your skincare regime. They provide a certain kind of firmness to the skin and protect it from moisture loss.
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Are all mineral oils the same?
No, not all mineral oils are the same. In fact, there are other names of mineral oils, and each one has a different application method. While some are used for food and industrial purposes, mineral oils are found in various forms in skincare too. These are used for their moisturising qualities, as texturising agents and also to remove makeup.
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What are the different kinds of mineral oils?
What is mineral oil, without it’s different types? These are found in various forms in nature. Paraffinic oils, naphthenic oils and aromatic oils are some other names for mineral oils, in the forms that they’re found.
Despite several proven benefits, mineral oils have several disadvantages as well. Right from the process of extraction, to the actual usage, mineral oils are clearly not meant for everyone. Depending on your skin type, make the right skincare decision for yourself and choose a product that actually meets your skin's various requirements.