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Mineral Oil on skin: does it block or reduce the effectiveness of other skin-care ingredients?
  • Kitster
    So I've recently been using unscented baby oil to remove makeup/sunscreen at night. It works brilliantly for me and touch wood hasn't caused any spots! I massage it into my dry face then rinse it off with warm water and cotton pads. I don't follow up with a cleanser afterwards, so I guess there will still be some oil residue left on my face, even having washed my face.

    I was just wondering if the residue that remains could affect how effective my moisturiser is; could the mineral oil particles stop the ingredients in my moisturiser from getting to my skin? I'm using a moisturiser containing retinal at night and obviously want it to get to my skin properly!

    I did try a cleanser after using the oil but I found it made my skin feel really dry, wheras if I just use the oil it feels much better. I use the cleanser in the morning although I still much prefer the oil, so if it's OK to just use that I'd use it in the morning too.

    I use Boots Baby Sesitive Oil; ingredients are Mineral oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane - if it makes any difference!

    Thanks in advance for any advice or info :)
  • BrainHeartBeauty
    Mineral oil is generally used to form a barrier and lock moisture into the skin. Have a look at Lab Muffin's really good discussion on the pros and cons of using mineral oil:
    Part 1: http://www.labmuffin.com/2012/03/is-mineral-oil-dangerous-part-1.html
    Part 2: http://www.labmuffin.com/2012/03/is-mineral-oil-dangerous-part-2.html

    So yes, it will probably reduce the effectiveness of active ingredients in your moisturiser. I would probably experiment using gentle toners or something to get the oil residue off. They're designed to remove residue like that, and if you find one for sensitive/dry skin it's unlikely to be as drying as your cleanser.
  • Kitster
    Thank you for the info & links :) I had a feeling it probably was creating a barrier. I'll have a look into something gentle that can remove the residue. Thank again!
  • professorauntie
    I use a gentle cleanser after mineral oil.--CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. (My second post about CeraVe today.) It's the most gentle cleanser I've found. For me it's more gentle than Cetaphil or anything else I've tried.

    CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Ingredients:
    Water (Purified), Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methylsulfate/Cetearyl
    Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 11, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid,
    Cholesterol, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Stearyl
    Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate,
    Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA,
    Phytosphingosine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum

    I think putting ceramides into a cleanser is a bit gimmicky, since they just wash right off. But they don't hurt me and CeraVe is inexpensive and great for my sensitive skin.


  • georgia
    I use a mineral oil cleanser to remove makeup and then a toner to remove the residue.  If you want to keep moisture in your skin after cleansing, mineral oil will do it.
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