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Mineral Oil Mania - What do you think of the stuff?
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We often see the advice that people should avoid mineral oil at all costs. This idea is propagated by numerous natural companies. Well, this advice is just bogus. Its not based on any scientific studies. Mineral oil is a perfectly fine ingredient and has been used in cosmetics for over 100 years. You can read more about mineral oil at these posts.
http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/11/28/the-top-5-myths-about-mineral-oil-part-1/
http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/12/01/myths-about-mineral-oil-part-2/
But that's just what we think. What do you think Beauty Brains community? Are you a mineral oil hater, lover or you don't give it much thought? And why? What proof do you have that it's great or it's terrible? -
I'm not a chemist, so I don't give it much thought. I know that mineral oil is used to prevent evaporation though since I use it in lab. I do know that it could be contaminated and could give 2D-PAGE problems (plagued me for almost a whole year before realizing that the mineral oil was bad).
So my logic follows that since mineral oil is used to prevent evaporation, then it would help hold moisture.
Plus I really don't have much alliance with natural products. -
I'm "meh" about it. It hasn't crossed my mind! Last time I remember actively using mineral oil was to lube up the spinny thingy on my new "Life" game.
And "whoa!" to James' comments on Part 2. Brains, did you run an IP search to see what company he worked for? I've seen it so often online...those who argue vehemently online are corporate shills! -
We actually challenged James to a blogging "duel". Essentially we were going to have a debate entitled "Mineral Oil on trial". He would present his facts, we would present ours and we'd see where it would all shake out.
Unfortunately, despite his agreeing to do it, he never got back to us with his first entry. We just figured when he went and thoroughly researched the topic, he figured out just how outlandish his claims were.
The challenge is still out there if there is someone else who would want to participate in such a debate. -
Eh, I used to hate mineral oil. I just never got good results using it. My face breaks out if I put something with mineral oil on it (although a few other vegetable oils do the same!), and when I tried putting mineral oil in my hair, it made my hair feel SO rough! But other than that, I don't see much to hate it. It's just "okay," but I do prefer sweet almond oil over mineral oil any day.
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I have very dry skin so mineral oil is my friend. I've tried some of the "natural" products out there and I don't think they work as well.
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Mineral oil also passes straight through the gut without being absorbed. My mom decided several years ago that making real mayonaise with mineral oil would make an excellent "weight loss" product. Did I mention that mineral oil passes straight through the intestinal tract? Need I say more? Fortunately, we had a bathroom for each family member.
I don't know if this concoction was beneficial for the skin, but my family had the cleanest insides ever! -
what a fun discussion! i worked the natural foods racket for many years and although some of the products and beliefs have merit some are ludicrous. although i don't think mineral oil is bad and i do not purposely avoid it for the logical reasons which have already been presented, i do not purchase straight mineral oil either.
i use oils in my cleansing routine (remove eye make up as well as pre-cleanse to loosen dirt). i have somewhat dry skin and this works for me. the oils i purchase are from the healthfood store because the price is good. i generally buy grapeseed oil because of it's anti-oxidant properties which have benefits for dry, aging, rosacea ridden skin.
is mineral oil bad? i don't think so. are there better alternatives with proven benefits? undoubtedly! -
I wouldn't recommend straight mineral oil either. It's really slippery and can be tough to remove. Better is when it's delivered from an emulsion like in a cream or lotion.
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I grew up in the Midwest, where winter winds and indoor heating can suck your skin dry in no time. Keeping in mind that this was "back in the day" before we'd ever heard words like anti-oxidant, I used to put a thin coating of straight mineral oil on any exposed skin and petroleum jelly on my lips before I went out in the morning. As far as I could tell, it never made my acne worse, and believe me - as a teenager I was acutely aware of what made my acne worse. True, I was kind of shiny, but my skin wasn't so chapped that it felt two sizes too small, and I didn't end up looking like King Tut's older and less well-preserved sister.
Now we have much more sophisticated products, but I'll still recommend mineral oil as an excellent ingredient to prevent epidermal dehydration. Certainly, it's nothing to be afraid of. -
I've tried both products with MO and those that claim to be natural. Eh, the natural items were no better. I like mineral oil. It has its uses. IMHO it's all in the mix how it affects me. The lotion I use now has it and I love this stuff. Doesn't clog my pores and seals in moisture. I wholeheartedly agree with Mactans about winter air and winds. MO is the only thing that helps me. Ditto for desert trips. All the natural lotions I've ever tried barely did that and would wash right off. At 6$ a 4 oz bottle, I'm not doing that again.
I've also used straight MO(you know, the big bottle you get in the drugstore) as a makeup remover years ago. And really, if MO was bad for you the FDA wouldn't let companies use it and you'd see a LOT of people with problems. -
Botanically based cosmetic companies believe that plants have everything they need to sustain themselves. So they pull the best from the plants and put it in their cosmetics. Mineral oil is a by -product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. There are many oils that are ready available and better for the skin than mineral oil. Mineral oil is occlusive which means it sits on top of the skin when used in products designed for skin care. When doctors do skin grafts, for example, they use mineral oil to create a protective barrier on the skin.
Products with Mineral Oil rely on there being water present in order for them to be most effective. That's why you'll read often times that it is best to apply them right after showering or bathing because the oil is going to act as a barrier and hold the water in the skin. Mineral oil itself does not moisturize the skin. And if it isn't refined properly, it will clog the pores of your skin. -
Plants may have everything they need, but I'm not a plant; I need something that 's going to work harder for me. When you live in an environment with humidity so low it makes your skin hurt, a barrier that locks in moisture is exactly what you need. Every time I get out out of the shower, I coat myself with moisturizer, regardless of the season. I need something that's effective and inexpensive -- Nivea does the trick so I see no reason to switch.
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Purple, you're not a fossil either. Mineral oil isn't doing anything, it just sits on top of your skin. That's it. If you want the oil to work for you then you have to get an oil that non-occlusive.
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Better to sit on top of your skin than to penetrate and interfere with your bodies natural biochemistry.
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I think one day it will hit you how many products on the market use this as a filler, including topical ointments that need to have ingredients penetrate into the skin. Sometimes the active ingredients will make it to their destination but, for the most part, the occlusive properties of the mineral oil prevents them from being effective. The individual is required to apply more in order to work. Thus the manufacturers sell more product.
This is the case with moisturizers with MO. Since it doesn't moisten the skin, one is required to apply it several times a day to keep their skin feeling soft. I used to keep hand lotion on my desk and I would use it two and three times a day to keep my hands from feeling dry.
Mineral Oil a very very cheap product because there is so much of it and this is why you find it in so many cosmetics and lotions. Yes, it's safe, but it is a far stretch to say that it is "Good" or "Beneficial" for the skin. There are many many other oils available that are better for the skin than Mineral oil. -
What would those many many other oils be that are better for your skin than mineral oil? All the unbiased, scientifically controlled research of which I'm aware says that no other oil works better than Mineral oil. Please enlighten. What studies are you referring to?
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Definitely substitute mineral oil for much useful coconut oil. Im not saying that mineral oil is harmful but its very neutral like water.
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I just bought Nivea and love it. If you look up product reviews on Makeup Alley, Nivea gets high marks. Mineral oil is #2 on the ingredient list, so I tend to believe a lot of women like mineral oil, otherwise, Nivea would not get the high ratings it has.
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Nivea is great stuff. I always find it amusing that people will criticize Nivea because it contains mineral oil but will spend over $100 for Creme de la Mer, which contains... mineral oil.
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There's a good reason people like formulas that contain mineral oil...they work. In fact, in moisturization studies raw material suppliers to our industry use mineral oil as the benchmark ingredient when trying to develop new ones. It's very rare that anyone presents any ingredient that out performs mineral oil in a TEWL (Trans-epidermal water loss) test.
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I would like to point out that this country has by far the WORST RECORD for protecting the public from corporate greed. As long as what they are selling does not immediately harm or kill you, they can sell whatever they want. You only have to look at the cigarette debacle, the food industry and the 'DIET' industry. If they can sell faulty Defibrillator leads and deadly Anti-Depressants, Silicone Breast Implants and Diet Pills that eliminates hundreds of ugly fat pounds by killing you (Just to name a VERY few), and these are from the MEDICAL industry. Imagine how much they get away with in the relatively unregulated cosmetics field. (Who was selling Ammoniated Mercury in face creams, Lead Acetate in Hair Color Restorers, Hexachlorophene in Anti-Acne Products and Baby Washes, Lead, Arsenic and other poisonous metals and compounds in Lipsticks, Eye Makeup and Rouges, All the while claiming they were TESTED AND SAFE.) It is one of the largest industries in the world and VERY closely affiliated with the Richest (The Oil Industry). They often test the safety of their own products or PAY some supposedly 'Independent' testing facility.
Considering that most, if not all of the research into product safety is done by these same companies and the people making these tests were educated by institutions supported by the same corporations who make the products being tested, I'm somewhat skeptical. Since they have misled, doctored and outright LIED about test results in the past. - Who says their test results and methodologies are reliable?
I really think that it isn't very 'smart' of "The Beauty Brains" to defend anything made by the major cosmetics manufacturers.
And please DON'T mention the FDA, those F***K-Ups are WORSE than useless - seizing books and harassing people advocating natural foods, herbs, healthy living and eating and vitamin supplements because of claims they can 'Cure Illness' something the Medical community claims ONLY THEY AND AND THEIR DURGS, SURGERIES AND RADIATION TREATMENTS CAN DO. All the while letting the cigarette companies and the food industries slowly poison the populace- What a CROCK!!!
(yes,Yes,YES! - I did eat a bowl of "Rage Flakes" today.)
And as for your thinking on the 'Natural Cosmetics' people, at least they're providing an alternative to the mass market products. And I'd like to believe that if something is safe enough to eat, it should be O.K. to smear it on my face. (Besides, just HOW effective does your 'Occlusive Barrier' need to be?)
And as for your remark about peanuts and peanut oil and your use of snake venom as a means of 'Bashing' natural products - You are making yourself look even more foolish. If someone is allergic to peanuts, IT IS THIER FAULT, NOT THE PEANUTS. There is something wrong with their immune system that causes this. The cosmetic industry formulates or engineers their products and should already know about the health risks before selling them to the public. So it is the fault of the cosmetic companies when their products injure the people they sell them to. And as for 'Snake Venom', you have again put your foot in your mouth. Right now on national television, they are advertising BOTOX cosmetic, a potentially deadly toxin 'NATURALLY PRODUCED' by Clostridium botulinum . And what is the industry using this for? Curing disease? Ending hunger? - NO! Getting rid of wrinkles and 'Facial Lines' despite the potential health risks, all for the sake of a buck. And new evidence is coming to light about the possible long term effects of this well known deadly toxin and the FDA has STILL not stepped-in to stop its use. And here is a link to a Newsweek Article on the subject (http://www.newsweek.com/id/131749) And you want us to believe that the industry is looking out for our welfare? I think using these absurd references to peanuts and snake venom to 'Bash' natural products makes "The Beauty Brains" look like 'Snake-Oil" (Or "Mineral-Oil") Salesmen. -
Thanks for the passion JimBear.
Having worked in the cosmetic industry for major manufacturers and knowing what I did on a day to day basis, I disagree with your assertion that they are not to be trusted. Are you saying that me and all the decent scientists that I worked with are cheats and liars? That's ridiculous.
You see conspiracy everywhere and make wild accusations that are supposed to generally apply to everyone. It's just silly. About as silly as your implication that the "natural" companies are looking out for your safety.
When companies like Burts Bees, The Body Shop, and Aveda allow themselves to be bought out by major cosmetic manufacturers, they just prove that they aren't looking out for your welfare either. They're in it to make money just like every other cosmetic company.
Incidentally, beyond your wild assertions about this country having the WORST RECORD, do you have any facts to back them up? Any governmental statistics? I can't imagine the regulatory agencies in China are better than the US, but perhaps you can prove me wrong. -
I did notice you 'Skirted Around' the real issue and ignored the fact the large corporations have pulled the wool over people's eyes before. (Cigarettes, Bad Drugs, Faulty Medical Devices, Poisons In Cosmetics, Vitamin Deficient / Hormone Injected / Genetically Altered / Herbicide & Pesticide Contaminated Food) And using China as an example is laughable.
And might I add that your working for the cosmetic industry makes YOU, Not I, biased in this matter. And please don't give your various 'Scientific Journals' as proof. If I bothered to look, I know I could find many articles about so-called scientific tests that were doctored or buried to suit the industries they serve. Hardly the pristine purveyors of truth you make them out to be. And as for the Government, with the current situation there, I can hardly believe ANYTHING they say. And with the amount of money they spend on a screwdriver or a toilet seat I wouldn't call them the sharpest instruments in the drawer. And as for FACTS, the atrocities I mentioned DID HAPPEN.
I wasn't attacking ALL people in the industry. I was simply stating that the people in charge of the large corporations CONROL any information coming out of that testing and determining WHAT they believe is relevant and discarding or altering anything they don't like. -
Still no proof of anything offered. Opinions without supporting evidence are irrelevant.
I didn't "skirt around" what you call the real issue. This is a discussion about Mineral Oil and I don't see what any of those things have to do with it. The fact that there have been bad products put out in the past doesn't mean all products in the future will be bad. You seem to ignore all the "good" stuff produced over the years.
People are living longer, healthier lives than they were 100 years ago before your so-called "evil" industries started making products. (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf#027)
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People are living longer because of better sanitation, more available varieties of food, reduced labor, better medical practices and disease control - ALL OF WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT THE 'BEAUTY INDUSTRY' since YOU want to get off the subject.
The 'PROOF' is in the record - You don't provide any. So, why should I? Look it up for yourself.
The subject was the supposed benefits (And health hazards) of mineral oil. YOU were asserting that this waste product of the crude oil industry which is employed by the beauty and cosmetics industry has a proven record of efficacy and safety and I assert that the large corporations have outright lied about the the benefits and health hazards of their products before. (If you need 'Proof' - here's a sample: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEEDA1631F936A25755C0A96E948260) -
Do you have any proof relevant to mineral oil? The link you gave is about Tobacco. P&G, L'Oreal, Unilever etc. don't make or sell cigarettes.
Since I'm clearly not as informed as you, I'm unable to find any of your PROOF "in the record". Perhaps you could point me and all the rest of the Beauty Brains forum members to some (any) of this PROOF "in the record" that says mineral oil is bad for you.
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On the subject: ANY product that comes out of an industry with the track record that the oil companies have should be treated with a great deal of skepticism.
As they say, Bad associates.
Just because the sources that can be quoted would simply be dismissed by someone who obviously thinks TIME magazine shares the same status as the 'Scandal Rags'
The oil industry has a level of power and influence GREATER than the tobacco industry, and look how long it took for the 'Truth' to come out about smoking.
They can even 'Order' the President to declare war on another country. - How much power is that?
I'm NOT saying that mineral oil is bad for you. I'm saying you should NOT be so vehemently defending something you believe to be safe, considering its source. Things that have been believed to be safe before have had DEADLY long-term effects and simply "Pooh-Poohing" ANY evidence that this may not be so, whatever the source. Is the same as saying the human life is of no more value than a 'Lab Rat' - Get the point? -
I've heard that glycerin needs to be used in a lotion; if it's placed directly on the skin it's more likely to draw moisture from that, and it can result in damage to the skin if it's put on undiluted.
If you put it on in a lotion, when it's mixed with something like aloe that has a lot of moisture in it, it will hold the moisture from that ingredient against your skin and let it soak in. Used on its own, it can give you blisters.
The advantage of mineral oil isn't that it adds moisture, but just that it prevents the moisture already in your skin from evaporating. It's like Chapstick for your skin. -
In moisturization studies where scientists apply a product to skin and take moisture readings over the course of hours or days, lotions with mineral oil consistently score better than ones using glycerin.
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A few years ago, I switched to "natural" products, because my skin is a bit oily, and I tended to get pimples, and spots and stuff, and wanted to get rid of that I found a wicked facewash by Living Nature from New Zealand, it was expensive but did the job so I was happy. I also started to use less "commercial2 products and geared towards the " natural" but there doesn't seem to be many things that my skin likes so I now tend to stick to a SPF. I stopped using mineral oil for my body too, and switched to all natural butters and oils ( you name it, I probably have it).
I wanted to make a small business out of it, not so much to make money ( I intended on selling to my friends and people around me, who use alot fo natural products and pay an absolute fortune for it, and it can be made for a fraction of the price in the kitchen). I thought it would be easy since the industry is not regulated, right? Well not really, under EU laws and I am sure under US Laws, their are regulations, labelling, and safety, and the use of preservatives, and some other. Honestly I am sure it would be easier for a small person like me to by pass the laws, considering the people I intended to sell too, and the fact that I would only use natural products. Then again, not so true, there are some butters that I have that can cause allergic reaction to people who are allergic to nuts ( shea butter being one of them apparently) so they're all stored together, I probably have cross contaminated.
I think it's a bit harsh to be bashing mineral oil if it suits people. After all one some people might need moisture locked in, rather than just hydrated.
Oils are different from one another, some act like mineral oil ( Almond oil apparently) and some get absorbed more easily in the skin, but I find that i also need to re-apply several time if I want to feel hydrated, and I have had the feeling that some of the oils I use "draw out moisture".
The annoying thing about " natural brands" is that charge a lot of money and that is not always justified. But I also don't like the amount of "synthetic" chemicals going down our drains on a daily basis... .... I never know which way to go :wink: -
Omg, mineral oil is better in moisturization than glycerin, i didn't know that. Btw, i don't want the feel of mineral oil in my skin 'coz its greasy. Are there alternatives out there that also provide very good moisturization like the greasy mineral oil and its cousin the waxy petrolatum but doesn't leave a greasy and oily feel in the skin?
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just want to put my 2cents comment about mineral oil.
For over 20yrs i've been using a normal body lotion right after shower to moisturize my skin and it works just fine until the beginning of 2009 (maybe coz i've been living in tropical country before this). During that winter season, my skin would jst peel off, flaking like fish skin, itchy and red all over. I've tried body lotion for normal, dry, super dry and even sensitive skin, but it jst won't work. from expensive to cheap body lotion.
one day, i got so frustrated and remember how little baby can use just baby oil on their very thin-fragile skin and they wont have any dry skin at all (my mom used the same baby oil for me too from since i was born until primary school). So i tried the baby oil that i bought from wal-mart at only $2.01.
In jst 5days, all those dry skin, the peeled skins, itchiness and redness all gone! I was so amazed, even my husband too. he's the type that has no idea what kind of lotion women should use, but he noticed the changes in my body ever since i used the baby oil. I've never stop using the baby oil ever since then. It's almost summer now here in LA and i'm still using the baby oil.
I tried stop using the baby oil from beginning of spring and use normal body lotion (Lubridem) thinking that my body only need baby oil during winter, not summer. However. i noticed the normal body lotion doesn't give me the same moist and softness as baby oil. I've to used a lot more body lotion to applied to my whole body compared to baby oil AND it cost triple the price than the baby oil.
So i've decided to only use baby oil from then on and never look back again (unless i'm going to tropical country coz baby oil is too 'heavy' for tropical weather). Whatever ppl said abt the bad of using baby oil (mineral oil) compared to natural oil....for me....as long as you just use a small amount of it ON YOUR SKIN (not to consume it or put inside your eyes as eye make up remover)...you'll be just fine!...anything that's not consume is fine. you won't die from it.
that's jst my opinion, people.
i believe everyone has the right to voice out their opinion and NOT to force other people to take it, and especially not to condemn, scowl and saying names to that other people just because they disagree with your opinion.
If you don't like their opinion, so be it. just leave it as it is. you can continue living your life & practicing your opinion regardless of what that other people said.
Besides, before you tell them your opinion and before they tell you their opinion, the both of you are living just fine and harmoniously. so why take out your anger on other people (esp stranger) just because you disagree with them?
We don't have to bring down our integrity to that low level jst because of it.
that's all what i wanna say.
i actually came across this website when i was researching for any beauty tips by using baby oil.
Oh ya...i'm also using petroleum jelly before sleep on my leg, hand and lips. It's working just fine and have no side effect at all. In fact it works extremely well to heal my cracked heels and to prevent it from cracking too. -
This debate would be hysterically funny if it didn't make me so sad: people seem to want to prefer outlandish rumors to science these days. The cracker-in-mineral-oil comment was particularly comic/pathetic.
I live in a dry climate and have been using Vaseline for a moisturiser on my body and face for over 15 years. I am constantly getting compliments on my complexion and people ask me what I use, but when I tell them, they think "she has beautiful skin DESPITE using Vaseline" rather than "she has beautiful skin BECAUSE she uses Vaseline." Until I went over to the "dark side" as some of the writers in this thread seem to believe with an almost religious fervor, I spent a small fortune on skin care products, both "natural" and "unnatural." Although it might not work for you, Vaseline was by far the best of the lot for me.
I am so bored with the whole debate - "natural" does not equal safe, nor is it usually all that natural. "Unnatural" does not equal unsafe nor is it usually all that unnatural. It's all HYPE, people! -
Well how about this: Regardless of whether you believe mineral oil and other petroleum by-products are harmful to one's health, there was a study published in 2003 that seems to indicate that mineral oil, because if its molecular structure, is unable to penetrate hair to prevent protein loss, as was the case for sunflower oil; coconut oil, on the other hand, is able to penetrate hair.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12715094 -
I found this information while researching mineral oil. I personally do not have an issure with mineral oil. Keeps my skin looking young!
There is so much information about mineral oil in this artical and I thought it was very helpful. Below is just a protion of the information. Please check out this web page (http://www.gaiaresearch.co.za/mineralvsplantoil.html) for all the informatin would not fit on this listing.
Petroleum mineral oils are used extensively in several food industries as machine lubricants and as food separator coatings. Due to its self-limiting laxative effect, there are no extraordinary toxicological problems associated with its use, only possible nutritional implications from reduced uptake of fat-soluble vitamins (Seventeenth Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, World Health Org Tech Rep Ser No 539, 1974); (FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Ser No 53, 1974). In many respects, plant oils are likely to be inferior even in these applications. Furthermore, all so-called toxic oil syndromes, eg over 2500 deaths in Spain, have been from processed crop oils, not mineral oils (Hard G, Hum Exp Toxicol, 19(3), 2000); (Closa D et al, Lipids, 36(10), 2001); (Posada de la Paz M, Epidemiol Rev, 23(2), 2001); (Posada de la Paz M, Environ Health Perspect, 111(10), 2003); (Sanchez-Porro Valades P et al, J Clin Epidemiol, 56(7), 2003).
Mineral oils are manufactured from crude oils by vacuum distillation to produce a residual oil that is further refined. The related petroleum jelly is a purified mixture of semi-solid, saturated hydrocarbons obtained from the residue of distillation left in the still after all the oil has been vaporised. Paraffin wax is a crystalline substance obtained by distillation and purified by sweating. Similar purification principles applicable to white oil apply to food/cosmetic grades of these items. Aromatic compounds, including alkylated heterocyclic and polycyclic hydrocarbons are the only seriously undesirable constituents of these crude oil petroleum products, based on their carcinogenic potential following chronic industrial exposure to poorly refined oils. White mineral oils/paraffins, petrolatums/petroleum jellies and paraffin waxes produced from crude oils that have undergone appropriate treatment, are not toxic or carcinogenic to humans. -
Is mineral oil carcinogenic?
Mineral Oil
I can't tell you why mineral oil is carcinogenic but I can tell you that when given to lab rats in small doses, they die. This includes topical, injected, and oral doeses. The four fastest ways for anything to be absorbed into your body are: 1) IV 2)through the skin, 3) under the tongue, and 4) oral digestion.
Mineral oil is basically crude oil. Crude oil is also what motor oil is, mineral oil is just more refined than motor oil. Petroleum jelly is also basically the same thing only hardened. It has been proven that mineral oil is carcinogenic.
With that in mind, think about all the skin care products you use on you or your children that contain mineral oil; especially as a main ingredient. Baby oil is mineral oil with fregrance added. If you use baby oil to tan or for "moisture" you are slathering yourself up with one big cancer-causing cocktail.
Mineral oil is used in these products because it is cheap, it is readily available, and it is a great emulsifier. Mineral oil is a giant molecule that has lots of attachment sites for water to cling to. When this happens the molecule gets really fluffy and looks creamy like lotions. It is a great, cheap filler to cosmetic and personal care producers.
Want to find baby products and other personal care products that contain no mineral oil, or anything that causes cancer for that matter?
Exposure to mineral oil mist can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and eye or skin contact.
* Summary of toxicology
1. Effects on Animals: Mineral oil mists can affect the lungs of experimental animals, and certain mineral oils are carcinogenic [ACGIH 1991]. Petroleum oil is essentially innocuous when it comes in contact with rabbit corneas [Grant 1986]. Mineral oil mists derived from highly refined oils appear to have a low acute and sub-acute toxicity in experimental animals. The oral LD in rodents is greater than 10 g/kg [Clayton and Clayton 1982]. The dermal LD(50) in rodents is greater than 15 g/kg [Clayton and Clayton 1982]. Single and short-term experiments (up to six months) using concentrations above 100 mg/m(3) have caused lung inflammatory reactions, lipoid granuloma formation, and lipoid pneumonia [ACGIH 1991]. No significant toxicity was observed in studies conducted at concentrations closer to actual workplace levels [ACGIH 1991]. Long term inhalation toxicity tests suggest that mineral oils have low chronic toxicity. Chronic studies using exposure concentrations above 100 mg/m(3) have resulted in lung inflammatory reactions and lipoid granuloma formation. No carcinogenic effects were observed during these studies even in those species considered to be highly susceptible [ACGIH 1991]. However, skin painting studies suggest that certain mineral oils are carcinogenic in experimental animals; in general, the less severely treated oils are carcinogenic, but severely treated oils are not carcinogenic [ACGIH 1991]. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) performed evaluations on nine of the mineral oils based on skin painting studies in animals, and the results are as follows: 1) vacuum distillates - sufficient evidence, 2) severely solvent refined - no evidence, 3) mildly solvent refined - sufficient evidence, 4) severely hydrotreated - inadequate evidence, 5) mildly hydrotreated - sufficient evidence, 6) severely acid treated (oleum) - no evidence, 7) mildly acid treated - sufficient evidence, 8) aromatic distillate extracts - sufficient evidence, 9) white oils - no evidence [IARC 1984; ACGIH 1991].
2. Effects on Humans: Exposure to mineral oil mists can cause eye, skin, and upper respiratory tract irritation as well as central nervous system effects in humans. In addition, certain mineral oils are carcinogenic in humans [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Exposure to mineral oil mists can result in localized irritation of the mucous membranes, and if exposures are excessive, headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness may result [Genium 1985]. Liquid petrolatum is essentially innocuous when it comes in contact with human corneas [Grant 1986]. A case of lipoid pneumonia was reported in a worker following a high-exposure to mineral oil with inadequate ventilation [ACGIH 1991; Hathaway et al. 1991]. Many studies confirm that poorly refined mineral oil can induce skin and scrotal cancers after prolonged, repeated, and heavy direct contact with the skin [ACGIH 1991]. In addition, repeated dermal exposures may result in dermatitis [Genium 1985]. Aspiration of mineral oil mists into the lungs can result in blue coloration of the skin, rapid heartbeat, fever, and chemical pneumonia possibly followed by a secondary infection [Genium 1985; Sittig 1991]. Ingestion will cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and stomach followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and belching [Sittig 1991]. IARC has concluded that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of untreated and mildly treated oils in humans -
Is Mineral oil Carcinogenic?
1. Acute exposure: Acute exposures to mineral oil mists may result in eye, skin, or upper respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, or the respiratory distress associated with chemical pneumonia. Aspiration may result in fever, rapid heartbeat, or cyanosis.
2. Chronic exposure: Chronic exposures to mineral oil mists may result in skin irritation or dermatitis, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, or tachypnea.
What common cosmetic ingredients are among the unwanted chemicals?
1. Mineral oils and petrolatum
Mineral oil is used in baby oil, baby creams, and baby lotions; it is the most popular moisturizing ingredient in commercial hand and body lotions, face creams, suntan creams, shaving creams, lipsticks, and all kinds of ointments and moisturizers. Manufacturers like it because it is colorless, odorless, tasteless, very inexpensive, and readily binds other cosmetic ingredients into a smooth, creamy lotion. It softens skin by holding water in. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and smells like petroleum when heated. It is a relative of petrolatum (petroleum jelly), also a petroleum derivative, which is thicker and semisolid. Untreated and mildly treated mineral oils are known to be a human carcinogen (see U.S. National Toxicology Programs Tenth Report on Carcinogens). Mineral oil and petrolatum form an oily film over skin to lock in moisture, but trap in toxins and wastes and hinder normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out.
Propylene glycol, another cosmetic form of mineral oil, is sometimes found in high concentrations (up to 50%) in baby lotions, pre- and after-shave lotions, moisturizers, foundation creams and mascaras, deodorants, lipsticks, and suntan lotions. Propylene glycol is a strong skin irritant that can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. According to Ruth Winter (A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, 1999 ed.), propylene glycols use is being reduced, and it is being replaced by safer glycols such as butylene and polyethylene glycol (p. 363). In the same edition of this book, Winter states that ingestion of butylene glycol may cause renal damage, kidney failure, and death (p. 99). Propylene glycol is widely used because it is an effective humectant which holds moisture in the skin, and it is inexpensive.
Well refined mineral oil is carcinogenic free, albeit it is still refined oil and is bad for your skin.
Hope this helps.
PS $50 to the person who responds to these comments if you can prove you have a PHD and are a legitimate scientist. Not someone on the staff, but you the person who responds back with "blah blah blah" and such.
Cute but very sophmoric ;) -
I think this goes hand in hand with the Organic food things...If u want to ingest pesticides and less nutritious foods thats fine with me. I am not in any way saying that because it it marked Organic it is healthy, however, fruit for example absolutely is. Its like saying that medicines that treat only symptoms are superior to natural remedies that take care of the cause. It is a vicious circle and yes chemicals do some amazingly good as well as amazingly bad things for us.
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As a medical Doctor, who works in a third world country, where dermatological diseases are usually last in a persons list of worries (read: not deadly), I am usually on the look out for cheap, safe options to make people's lives better. Mineral oil and vaseline have a widespread use in the medical community, even though people have the same doubts as you (apparently) about their safety. In my medical experience, treating patients from infancy to the elderly, with a wide range of afflictions as: first stage diabetic foot (the dryness), chapped lips, eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, also as a vehicle for menthol, steroids and other medication that need to be applied in a broad area, I have never encountered a side effect. In medicine its always "never say never", because every patient is different as are the situations, but really, these products in my opinion are safe and cost-effective.
That said, ingestion of "straight-up" oils is generally contraindicated, exception being as a laxative. In my country, it is widespread belief that oils aid in the treatment of pulmonary disease, patients come in having used vegetable, animal or mineral oils indistinctly, causing a complication called Lipid Pneumonia. In adult, conscious patients with no problems swallowing, mineral oil is safe to be ingested, acting as a lubricant for feces, keeping your poop moisturized. Again, medical supervision might be indicated as with any laxative.
About cancer, I would just like to say, the main cause of cancer is living. People seem to think that cancer has reached alarming numbers in the last years because of chemicals and the like. Although this is true in some cases, other major causes of cancer are 100% natural, as chewing certain seeds in China, or Semi natural, as are eating pickled foods or roasted meats. the number of cancer cases has gone up basically because, as people are tending to live more (thanks to, guess what, science) the probability of an error occurring during cell mutation increase. In my very un organic, poor and un healthy country, people don't get cancer because they die of diarrhea or upper respiratory tract infections at a young age.
Another thing brought up by the nature lovers I haven't seen get cleared up, I just want to point out that skin does not breath. Look it up.
Science is not our enemy, it is our friend. It is not fail proof, but is so noble that in its same method allows for self examination and correction. As a scientist, I work under the assumption that things are NOT true and need to be proven. And not because I am paranoid and feel that everyone else is out to get me, but because that is the only way we can truly have pure, unbiased facts.
I hope my comments are helpful. -
i meant cell division
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i use baby oil and vaseline regularly. they work very well, i never have dry skin, but if i use it on my face i break out. i dont use mainstream health/beauty products because of all the other stuff that's in them. i like soap that has 4 ingredients that i can actually read. i was looking at my organic soap last nite and it was boasting what wasn't in it, including mineral oil. i wondered what's wrong with MO? so i started searching online. after reading these posts and other websites for 4 hours i found these on PubMed:
Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of employees in transformer and generator production exposed to electromagnetic fields and mineral oil.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11255210?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=20
Distinctive patterns of autoimmune response induced by different types of mineral oil.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14718649?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=13
Assessment of the morphology and significance of the lymph nodal and hepatic lesions produced in rats by the feeding of certain mineral oils and waxes. Proceedings of a pathology workshop held at the Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Aerosol Research Hannover, Germany, May 7-9, 2001.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11665848?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=19
The ecotoxicology of vegetable versus mineral based lubricating oils: 3. Coral fertilization and adult corals.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14987805?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=11
Estimated effects of solvents and mineral oils on cancer incidence and mortality in a cohort of aerospace workers.
"High levels of exposure to mineral oils increased mortality and incidence of lung cancer (1.56; 1.02-2.39 and 1.99; 1.03-3.85), and incidence of melanoma (3.32; 1.20-9.24). Mineral oil exposures also contributed to incidence and mortality of esophageal and stomach cancers and of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia when adjusting for other chemical exposures."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16167347?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=7
and this on Wikipedia:
"Hydrocarbons along with NOx and sunlight - contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone and greenhouse gases."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocarbon
and this in the Beauty Brains Terms of Service:
"We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any data posted by members. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this community or any entity associated with this community."
i don't think i'm gonna be using mineral oil anymore. thanks Beauty Brains!
p.s. i love how when mary joe finally posted some real facts, Left Brain and Right Brain disappeared and then Dr.REAL showed up! -
Mary Joe and December333111 you both rock! I think the Brains are just as biased as those that totally and hardly support natural cosmetics. I mean, in the post about this issue in the blog, one girl said something like "natural oils are better" or something like this and one of the brains said something like "petroleum comes from Mother Earth, what is more natural than mineral oil?" or something. I often read from "experts" the quote: "natural is not always better", so here is the proof that indeed, natural is not always better. HA!
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The Cosmetics database is a good place to start to determine what the scientific data says about each of your skin care ingredients. If I dont recognise an ingredient I always go here to see what the data says (or whether there is a data gap on the ingredient. It even gives a numerical rating of each ingredient based on the data and the data gaps.
There appear to be many different forms of mineral oil so the question to me becomes - are we all talking about the same ingredient??. So the current studies and data relevant to each form of mineral oil can be found here on the Environmental Working Group cosmetics database:
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/search.php?query=mineral+oil
A comment in the article on this website suggested that mineral oil was banned in cosmetics in the EU. Truth is, it was a specific kind of mineral oil. The mineral oil that was banned in cosmetics in the EU is discussed here: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/803548/MINERAL_OIL%2C_PETROLEUM_EXTRACTS%2C_HEAVY_NAPHTHENIC_DISTILLATE_SOLVENT/
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