Paraffinum Liquidum; Mineral Oil

(in 18,638 products)

1. Antistatic Agent - Reduces or eliminates the build up of static electricity.

2. Bulking Agent - Non-nutritious or inactive substances added to increase stability of the mixture.

3. Drug / Medicine - Treats, alleviates, cures, or prevents sickness. As officially declared by a governmental drug/medicine regulatory body

4. Emollient - Softens and soothes the skin. Helps with skin conditioning.

5. Occlusive (Cosmetics) - Forms a protective layer to retain skin hydration

6. Solvent (Cosmetics) - Enhances the properties of other ingredients

Mineral Oil is a colorless, odorless, and flavorless oil that is commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products as a moisturizer, emollient, and lubricant. It is derived from petroleum and is a byproduct of the oil refining process.

In cosmetics and personal care products, Mineral Oil helps to hydrate and soothe the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple. It is commonly found in products like lotions, creams, and lip balms. Recent studies have shown that Mineral Oil may help to improve skin barrier function, which can help to reduce moisture loss and protect the skin from environmental stressors.

In food products, Mineral Oil is used as a lubricant and release agent. It is commonly found in food processing equipment, but is not used as a direct food ingredient. Mineral Oil is considered safe for use in food processing equipment and has been approved by regulatory agencies around the world.

While Mineral Oil is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products, some people may be sensitive to it and may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions. It is important to patch-test products containing Mineral Oil before using them on a larger area of the skin. Additionally, some people may prefer to use natural alternatives to Mineral Oil, such as plant-based oils like coconut oil or jojoba oil.

Overall, Mineral Oil is a common ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products that can help to hydrate and protect the skin. While it is generally considered safe, it is important to patch-test products containing Mineral Oil before use and to consider natural alternatives if desired.

- Intraperitoneal injections of mineral oil in mice has shown some degree of induced autoimmune response. Nonetheless, "induction of autoantibodies by mineral oils considered nontoxic also may have pathogenetic implications in human autoimmune diseases". This is because humans and mice share relatively similar immune systems, although the study also stated that it is unlikely that humans will be injected with mineral oil but more likely to consume it through food with an average of 50g/adult/year. The type of autoantibody production is also dependent on the type of mineral oil. [2]

- A study was conducted on guinea pigs where docusate sodium, mineral oil and water was injected into the middle ear (iIntratympanic) to assess their toxicity (ototoxicity) and ear-wax removing (cerumenolytic) potential. It concluded with docusate sodium being the most toxic and extremely irritating to the external auditory canal epithelium and mineral oil to be the least cerumenolytic, though with no toxic side effects. [3]

- A statistical occupational study conducted on approximately 58,000 men showed no correlation between mineral oil exposure and prostate cancer. [4]

- A comprehensive study including the opinions of various government organizations showed that accumulation of mineral oil is a relevant factor. However, accumulation is low/negligible for compounds below C20 and compounds above C40. This leaves a narrow window where compounds between C20-C40 are most likely to be accumulated in the human liver and spleen, based on a comparison with rats. Mineral waxes will need to be determined separately under the assumption that all of the wax will also be completely metabolized. [5]

Overall, mineral oil does pose some concern as it has the potential to invoke inflammatory or autoimmune responses. However, the majority of mineral oil's toxicity stems from a small window of C20-C40 compounds, which are highly unlikely to be present as a food contaminant.

Although this ingredient appears in the IARC list, we assume the Mineral Oil used in cosmetic products is highly refined. The highly refined status of Mineral Oil exempts it from an increased rating in our system.

1. Distinctive patterns of autoimmune response induced by different types of mineral oil (Toxicol Sci. 2004, Apr; 78(2):222-8)

2. Ototoxicity of intratympanic docusate sodium and mineral oil in the guinea pig (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012, Mar; 146(3):455-60)

3. The influence of occupational exposure to pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, diesel exhaust, metal dust, metal fumes, and mineral oil on prostate cancer: a prospective cohort study (Occup Environ Med. 2005, Aug; 62(8):531-7)

4. Toxicological Assessment of Mineral Hydrocarbons in Foods: State of Present Discussions (J Agric Food Chem. 2018, Jul 11; 66(27):6968-6974.)

1. US National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Carcinogens

- Mineral Oils: Untreated and Mildly Treated

2. Canada List of Permitted Food Additives

- List 8 - Mineral Oil

3. Hong Kong Consumer Council

- Paraffin/Mineral oils

4. International Fragrance Association Transparency List [2015]

- White mineral oil, petroleum