What is in your skin care products: Mineral Oil

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Most of the ingredients you use on your skin are absorbed into your body. What do you know about what is in your skin care products and their effect on your health?


For the next few weeks I thought I would give you a little information about some of the chemicals you may see when you read the label on the side of your personal care products. My aim is to enable you to make an informed choice about the products you use on yourself and your baby. 


Many products that were given to me by the hospital in my free baby bonus gift bag contain these chemicals. Clever marketing by big brand companies who have worked to create a direct link in your mind between their product and the safe nurturing environment of a hospital. After spending some time reading the product labels on these items, I left most of the "gifts" from my bag in the hospital room declining their offer to place these chemicals on my one day old babies skin.


The good news is that it is now quite easy to avoid the following list, if you choose to.


1. Mineral Oil (Petrolatum, Vaseline, Paraffin)
2. Methyl / Propyl / Butyl / Ethyl Paraben
3. Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea
4. Propylene Glycol
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodium Laureth Sulphate
6. Synthetic Colours
7. Synthetic Fragrances

MINERAL OIL (Petrolatum, Vaseline, Paraffin)

It is found in many skin care products from baby oil which can be 100% Mineral Oil, to lipsticks and lip balms. Mineral oil is a clear, liquid oil with no scent and it will not spoil. It is produced as a byproduct of the distillation of petrol from crude oil. Mineral oil is the leftover liquid, and because it is abundant, it is very cheap. 


The World Health Organisation has classified Mineral Oil as a carcinogen to humans. Many mineral oils have been shown to be contaminated with cancer causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons).  It is often impossible to know the source of the mineral oils used in a product and therefore it is impossible to assess the risk of products containing 'mineral oil'.


Mineral Oil forms a barrier on the skin and is said to interfere with the skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne, eczema and other skin disorders. Petrolatum is a mineral oil jelly. It can interfere with the body's own natural moisturising mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. You could be using a product that creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. 

It is not difficult to take precautionary measures to avoid mineral oils in products. Look for products that contain cold-pressed natural oils instead such as Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil, particularly for use on the sensitive skin of babies.