• What Is Mineral Oil?
• Advantages of Mineral Oil For Skin
• Side Effects of Mineral Oil On Skin
• Frequently Asked Questions on Mineral Oils For Skin:

Not every skincare product that contains oil is a great formulation to invest in. Mineral oil is one such ingredient found in many skincare products that every seasoned skincare junkie will steer clear from. If you’ve been unconsciously using mineral oil in your skincare products, here’s why it might be a bad idea.  

Why does mineral oil have a bad rep? Since mineral oil is derived from petroleum, it does raise a few questions, especially if your pores tend to clog frequently.  But should you avoid it completely? Let’s find out. 

 

What Is Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil is a dreary and scentless subordinate of petrolatum. It is utilised in beauty  products since it has been profoundly refined and cleansed, and doesn't contain impurities that unrefined petroleum is known to be loaded up with. However, in 'clean' recipes, it is still a no-no. You may find its use in notable items like petroleum jelly, and baby oil, mineral oil has for some time been a pillar of mending and saturating skincare products.

Since the atom in mineral oil is huge, it can't enter into the skin and sits on top of it. Its capacity to trap dampness definitively makes it a great lotion, but it  acquires some flak for clogging the pores.

Generally known as petroleum jelly, petrolatum additionally has a long time frame of usability, which makes it a regularly-involved ingredient in numerous skincare and cosmetics items sold today. Items that will quite often contain mineral oil in their ingredients list are face creams, body creams,  balms, makeup removers, etc.

Although mineral oil has a bad reputation, it does have some advantages on skin that cannot be overlooked. 

 

Advantages of Mineral Oil For Skin

Despite no anti-ageing or antioxidant effects, mineral oil for skin can be an excellent moisturiser and an occlusive agent.

1. Seals dampness into the skin: Mineral oil makes a hindrance between your skin and the environment, shielding it from external components like breeze and contamination. It's likewise why it's been displayed in investigations to diminish trans-epidermal water misfortune (TEWL), or the deficiency of water through the skin.
2. Smoothens the skin: Any oil that contains mineral oil for skin should assist with leaving it feeling softer, as it is intended to slip into the crack of your skin in the middle of cells to make a smoother surface.
3. Mineral oil does not block up pores: Mineral oil, according to dermatologists, is actually non-comedogenic, which means it does not clog pores. Thus, utilising it alone will not cause your pores to be clogged up.
4. Safeguards the skin: It is best for people with dry skin as it creates a protective barrier for the skin due to its occlusive properties. This protective barrier helps the skin to retain moisture into the skin.
5. Accessible over-the-counter: Unlike some extreme skincare ingredients, mineral oil items are accessible in most pharmacies easily.

Side Effects of Mineral Oil On Skin

The only concern here is that this ingredient may clog pores for some, which is why it is often recommended for sensitive skin types. This is a fix that has a low probability of causing any sort of skin reactions.

If you suffer from acne, proceed with caution, as this ingredient may not be appropriate for you.

Nonetheless, in light of the fact that mineral oil will, in general, frame a defensive layer on the skin, it might trap a few different ingredients onto that top layer of the epidermis, which could prompt obstruction of pores, assuming that mineral oil is known to clog pores. 

In many cases, mineral oil is included as a mix with different ingredients inside an item. Assuming you have skin breakouts, inflamed skin or have pores that are particularly inclined to clogging up, make certain to check your ingredients list to know what works best for you. You must also check out our blog on harmful chemicals in skincare to get the list of all the chemiclas that need to be avoided in skin care products.

Mineral oil is recommended for dry skin types that are unlikely to suffer from skin breakout some side effects of mineral oil on skin are pimples, clogged pores, or ingrowths.Just like mineral oil, petrolatum is another chemical that is bad for skin. Head over to our blog on the side-effects of pertrolatum in skincare to learn more about it.

If the pros and cons  have convinced you to switch to skincare products that do not contain  mineral oil,  allow us to introduce you to  Coco Soul.  Since mineral oil is bad for skin health, Coco Soul eliminates it from the ingredients across all the skincare products. With no mineral oil in skincare, you can trust Coco Soul when you are looking for a safer option eliminating harmful ingredients. One such product we love is the Coco Soul Nourishing Body Lotion. 

With its organic ingredients, this wonderfully scented Coco Soul Nourishing Body Lotion is a genie in a bottle filled with the wisdom of ancient Ayurveda and the goodness of Virgin King Coconut Oil. With a luxuriously silky and non-greasy consistency, this natural body lotion melts into the skin for visibly radiant skin. Its ayurvedic properties moisturise your skin and give it a radiant glow.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mineral Oils For Skin:

1. Are mineral oils harmful for skin? 
   

   In addition to restoring moisture to dry skin and making products feel silky-smooth and luxurious, mineral oil also clogs pores as a result of its barrier effect on the skin.
   
   

2. Why are mineral oils used in skin care?

   As liquid oils or solid waxes, mineral oils are widely used in cosmetics due to their excellent skin compatibility, unique moisturising and protective properties.
   
   

3. What is a good substitute for mineral oil in skincare?

   For those who don't want to use mineral oil, you can also use beeswax or creams that contain beeswax, or fractionated coconut oil.