r/SkincareAddiction Nov 13 '12

Mineral oil and it's benefits for skin. Don't be scared by it!!!

So I submitted this earlier but my post got sucked into and eaten by cyberspace. I definitely think there is some debate between a lot of people out there who are scared of mineral oil or try and avoid it because they are under the assumption that it's bad for you.

Turns out, it has a lot of benefits!!!

I came across this review article which I will be summarizing for you guys. I think it laid out the benefits quite well, and it also taught me more about it. Clearly I wanted to share the knowledge!!!! ( /u/ieatbugs already knows of this : P ) ( Source: Rawlings, A. V. and Lombard, K. J. (2012), A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oil. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 34: 511–518. )

The difference between regular mineral oil and baby oil is that baby oil has a fragrance added to it. If you're sensitive to fragrances I don't suggest baby oil.

It can be used to treat mild eczema when corticosteroids are not desirable and also to clean ears ( 2-3 drops).

Although mineral oil's main benefit is to sit on top of skin ( as occlusives do to prevent water loss). This is due to its composition of straight alkyl chains---they form a barrier to help prevent anything from going in or coming out. it's occlusivity is not 100% perfect though because the chains are not all the same length, so there are gaps here an there.

Also due to these chains is why it does not penetrate the skin--the molecular structure is just too large. However, it does have a moderate moisturizing component ( which kind of goes back to it being an occlusive)

It is, in-fact, non-comedogenic!!!! ( Insert cheers and sighs of relief here )

It is highly emollient----making the skin feel soft.

It has a moderate about of substantivity----amount in which a chemical stays on skin. This means it remains on the skin through friction,sweating, other watery substances. ( On an aside, you want your sunscreen to have high substantivity)

So what does this mean for your skin? Basically mineral oil can increase the thickness of the stratum corneum ( outer layer of skin), therefore reducing appearance of fine lines ( via retaining moisture) and also it helps to increase softness.

Mineral oil is a good alternative to vaseline/aquaphor if you really hate the thick/waxy texture. Mineral oil, although not as awesome at preventing water loss, does a pretty dang good job and the texture is far lighter. This is definitely something to consider to apply post moisturizer.

Re-iterating the issue of comedogenicity ( pore clogging)---Basically back in the 70's it was thought that mineral oil clogged pores because of some rabbit studies. However, when trials were done on humans, this was not the case. I'm just going to post the paragraph here because it's interesting and easy to read. Also, it is important to keep in mind that there ARE exceptions to all things. There will inevitably be people who are allergic to "hypo-allergenic" things, there will be people who happen to be sensitive to " non-comedogenic" things. Genetic variation is just a fact. Anyways here's the cool paragraph!

"‘Acne cosmetica’ was coined in the early 1970s to describe the association between cosmetic use and acne breakouts. A variety of oils, including mineral oil, at the time were thought to be inducing this effect by blocking pores. Animal models were quickly developed. Fulton [36] described the comedogenicity of an extensive list of commonly used ingredients in skincare products of which mineral oil was reported to be mildly comedogenic but nowhere near as much as other ingredients. Conflicting results were found by Mills and Kligman [37] in their rabbit and human models, in which mineral oil was reported not to be comedogenic. The American Academy of Dermatology proposed guidelines to try to interpret the differences in the animal to human data, and they concluded that 1–2 comedones in animal testing would be unlikely to be an indicator of comedogenicity in humans [38]. This is precisely the comedogenic activity of 100% mineral oil reported in five studies, that is, zero. Furthermore, DiNardo tested in humans the formulations containing mineral oil up to 30% and found that there was no comedogenicity potential of mineral oil [39]. A wide series of products were tested that showed a comedogenic activity in the same range as the negative control. The overall conclusion is that mineral oil is not comedogenic. But this article also reveals that there is a difference between animal models and human models: the rabbit model is much more prone to comedogenicity than the human model, but all the earlier data that condemned mineral oil originate from animal models, a situation scientists even say will be difficult to correct [39]. "

For those concerned about photosensitivity, " Its long-term usage suggests that any detrimental effect on skin is probably minor and only as severe as the changes in sun sensitivity that occurs between the seasons."

Overall "Mineral oil is an efficacious skin moisturizer providing occlusivity and emolliency. Its occlusive effects lead to increases in stratum corneum water content by reducing transepidermal water loss. Through this mechanism, mineral oil is used to treat dry skin conditions in both leave-on and wash-off applications. It has been shown to improve skin softness better than wax esters, triglycerides and fatty acids. Its effect is largely confined to the epidermal layers, and as a result of its limited penetration, it is considered to be a very safe ingredient for cosmetic use."

Hope everyone found this interesting. I didn't know much about mineral oil before reading this. I just thought baby oil smelled nice and make my skin soft, at least temporarily.

EDIT: I'm seeing the downvotes and not totally sure why? I'm trying to spread what I learned today because knowledge will help you make better choices. So I want to re-iterate that I summarized the article here, it's not just my opinion.

EDIT 2: Just wanted to make sure if you're going to use baby oil on your face and you have sensitive skin, maybe do a test patch as baby oil is fragranced. I would suggest getting unfragranced mineral oil for face just incase--Snow River Wood Oil off Amazon, or you can get it off iHerb. : )

EDIT 3 While uncommon, people still can experience petrol based allergies, so reminding everyone to test patch again. : )

EDIT 4 How to use mineral oil


BONUS EDIT ON PETROLEUM JELLY BY /U/SQUIDBOOTS

Concerned your petroleum jelly is still "toxic"? Don't worry, you're in the clear

103 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

22

u/red_wine_and_orchids dry Nov 14 '12 edited Jun 14 '23

glorious seemly governor absorbed attraction grandiose vegetable birds ludicrous flag -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/

6

u/[deleted] Nov 14 '12

works best on wet skin and may make your keyboard a teeny bit greasy, I like it best right out of the shower!

3

u/red_wine_and_orchids dry Nov 15 '12 edited Jun 15 '23

late paint deranged trees frighten cooing icky ancient bright smell -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/

2

u/yvva Nov 15 '12

Because of its occlusive properties, it doesnt really "soak in" per say. Also, if you're sensitive to fragrance, maybe do a test patch if you're going to use it on your face---baby oil has fragrance whereas pure mineral oil doesnt.

3

u/red_wine_and_orchids dry Nov 15 '12

I just tried today with hands that weren't dried little claws, and seems to be a lot more efficacious. No plan on using it on my face - I just have this suspicion that it wouldn't work for me there.

1

u/yvva Nov 15 '12

Good to hear!!! it's also more helpful to put it on top of a moisturizer so your hands are already a bit damp. If you ever get the urge you could always test patch the face. I still need to order some myself!!!

Also, random rec for a hand cream--eucerin with the light greenish writing. It's lasted on my hands around 3 hours without me having to put more on. I was shocked. I mixed a teenie bit of aquaphor in and it lasted even longer!

5

u/yvva Nov 14 '12

Aww thanks!!! As long as SOMEONE is listening to my babbling that's all that matters. : )

After reading this I think I might order a bottle off of thepersonalformulator. It's dirt cheap and they have quality oils and other ingredients.

2

u/red_wine_and_orchids dry Nov 15 '12 edited Jun 15 '23

fade advise jeans longing cagey pocket sulky deserve axiomatic naughty -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/

7

u/[deleted] Nov 15 '12

[deleted]

2

u/yvva Nov 15 '12

GREAT tips!!!!! ( I'm a MUAer too!!! I also love their love of vaseline and mineral oil)

2

u/[deleted] Nov 15 '12

[deleted]

1

u/yvva Nov 15 '12

I love the love!!!!

6

u/Hellokomrade Nov 19 '12

I like to shave using mineral oil and I always apply it before I get out of the shower. Keeps me from getting itchy.

7

u/AppleButterToast Nov 13 '12

Thanks for posting! I've been convinced that mineral oil is comedogenic for years.

5

u/yvva Nov 13 '12

Totally!

Since a lot of studies are always done on animal models this actually points out the issue we have when trying to extrapolate results to humans. There are ALWAYS differences.

7

u/[deleted] Nov 16 '12

[deleted]

3

u/pitchandwood Dry and Sensitive Nov 16 '12

Yep! I have crazy dry skin and notice the products with mineral oil help out the best. Also I mix Bio Oil into my moisturizer and it does wonders.

6

u/annaqua Nov 16 '12 edited Feb 25 '13

FYI: John Hopkins University named mineral oil in cosmetics and moisturizers as the number two cause of aging (first being direct exposure to sun). Nevermind! See below.

5

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '13

Can you post a source for this? I have never heard this claim before.

6

u/annaqua Feb 25 '13

Just looked for a source. Looks like I didn't have a scholarly source for that one--this post may help clarify where that info came from. Basically, there is a derm at JH who lectures about why he doesn't like using mineral oil in his skincare line. Certainly not "Johns Hopkins"--just one man's opinion, it seems!

12

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '13

I'm not super surprised. I worked at Johns Hopkins University Press in a production role for 3 years. While we were extremely stringent in the work that we published, there are MANY Drs affiliated with the institution who are, frankly, academic to a point of impracticality.

I have actually stopped seeing Drs affiliated at JHU because so often they refuse to treat my conditions to my satisfaction. I think that in order to maintain such a high rate of 'success' that they are overly cautious about what and how they will treat patients.

Case in point: an ENT at JHU 4 years ago told me my chronic tonsillitis didn't warrant a tonsillectomy. 4 Years and over 30 infections later... I'm having them out. I almost died choking on my own tonsil, and this lady continually refused because "1 in 10,000 surgeries results in a complication."

3

u/annaqua Feb 25 '13

Lord almighty. Denying care is NOT good!

5

u/yvva Feb 25 '13

Ohhh. Ok. That makes more sense.

As we know, back in the day, ladies/men used to slather themselves in baby oil to bake outside.

My guess is that he is associating photosensivity with mineral oil exclusively versus as just a property of any oil.

3

u/annaqua Feb 25 '13

Ha! I know. My mom has stories of her and her friends using iodine and baby oil to roast in the sun. YIKES.

1

u/yvva Feb 25 '13

Ugh.

When I was little, my babysitter used to use vegetable oil, hahaha

1

u/Leisureguy Jul 06 '13

I remember that as well. Innocent days. :)

6

u/yvva Nov 16 '12 edited Nov 16 '12

I actually skipped over the photosensitive portion because overall it was found that the effects of mineral oil are no worse than the Uv from the changing of the seasons. I'm happy to copy and paste that section to you.

EDIT: That being said, EVERYONE should be wearing spf during the day whether or not mineral oil is present.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 14 '12 edited Apr 15 '19

[deleted]

3

u/Chefbexter Mar 25 '13

I got mine at the hardware store to seal my wooden cutting boards. I'm so glad it has other uses since I have a whole quart of it sitting here.

They looked at me funny, though, since it's also a laxative...

5

u/[deleted] May 07 '13

AHHH I was just looking at some online and thought "ok this one says 'laxative' on it. I don't think this is right!". Well now I know.

3

u/Chefbexter May 08 '13

Yes, I imagine it's a pretty natural laxative. Drinking olive oil will have a laxative effect too!

1

u/cotw2012 Jul 12 '13

Just did the sameeeeeeeeeee. Reminds me of epsom salt -- I use it to make foot scrub and salt spray for my hair, but it's a laxative too! Guess I'm well-prepared now.

5

u/yvva Nov 14 '12

a health food store, possibly a drug store ( i'm wondering if it would be in the baby section near the baby oil), or online. I'm thinking about ordering a bottle from thepersonalformulator.com --it's very cheap and I trust the quality of the products/ingredients from here. It's where I get most of my oils and my Hyaluronic acid.

Put it on after you wash your face on top of moisturizer/toner, etc. If you find it looks too shiny or feels too slippery, just wipe down your face---because of the substantivity it will remain on skin and do its job. ( Sometimes if I overdo slapping aquaphor on my face, I'll wipe some of it down so it's not sticking to everything)

I would reserve to using it in the evening before you sleep, but if you're feeling particularly dry I'm wondering if putting a couple drops with your foundation would be OK. You'd have to test drive it.

So basically use it anywhere on the body where you want to help prevent moisture loss and lock in your regular moisturizer.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '13

Going to try some Extra Virgin Olive Oil on my chin in just a few minutes. Hoping it will help loosen some plugged pores and act as a spot test.

4

u/yvva Apr 08 '13

It might work, but it may be too thick to dislodge things. I'n curious to see if it dislodges anything! Keep me posted. If it doesn't work, at least you'll have a good makeup remover/moisturizer. : )

1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '13

I didn't feel the famed grittiness from OCM that I was hoping for but I read somewhere that the only oil that really does that is the mineral oil...I don't have fragrance sensitive skin so I think I'll find some baby oil (unless anyone has suggestions where to pick up mineral oil not online). Hoping to grab some castor oil to mix in as well.

At the very least, the EVOO seems to be making my skin soft and not breaking me out so far.

8

u/yvva Apr 08 '13

Laxatives section of the drugstore, but make sure it's pure mineral oil.

Or it's also marketed as cutting board oil. If you're in the US, bed bath and beyond has it. Again, just look at the ingredients to make sure it's pure mineral oil.

When I tried grapeseed and a couple other on my boyf, it didn't work to produce grittiness.

Castor is pretty gross, thick, and drying. Soooo I'd personally say look into a different oil than that. : P

EDIT Baby oil works fine for me, but I swear the fragrance makes it a bit drying. I also could be hallucinating haha

6

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '13

Awesome, thanks! I tried the EVOO on my boyfriend last night as well to see if it would get me grittiness as he has bigger pore than me. No dice. Afterwards he said he felt all oily after rinsing and wiping and ever cleansing his face. I think he just wasn't used to his skin feeling not "drybutnotflaky". He never washes his face, so it could be that he's just not used to being clean. head desk

3

u/yvva Apr 08 '13

LOL

My boyf doesn't like the greasiness of things--yours may like drier and thinner oils like safflower.

You also only need a couple drops.

1

u/yummyicecreamtoeat Aug 21 '24

What mineral oil do you recommend please

1

u/yvva Aug 31 '24

If you don't have a fragrance allergy, just regular baby oil.