Dispelling myths about the use of mineral oil.

There are many myths surrounding the use of mineral oil in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food production. In this post we will clarify doubts regarding the benefits, uses of mineral oils and the characteristics offered by this product developed by LUB-LINE^®.

What is a mineral oil?

It is characterized as a light and highly purified ingredient, which is a reason to be used in baby lotions, cold creams, cosmetic products, ointments and in the manufacture of personal care products, in general. One of its main benefits is that it prevents the loss of water from the skin and allows it to be kept moisturized for longer. Another great feature of this oil is that being refined and highly purified, it does not clog the pores allowing sensitive skin to benefit, since the chances of causing adverse skin reactions or spoiling in humid or hot climates, are very few.

As the use of this type of oil in the production of items for frequent use by people is very common, the Personal Care Products Council has evaluated the scientific information and concluded that mineral oil is safe to use as a cosmetic ingredient in current concentrations of use.

LUB–LINE^® is a responsible company with the products it offers to its customers, therefore it complies with the strictest specifications of the USP/NF for use as a raw material in topical use, as a cosmetic or pharmaceutical input. It is important to note that mineral oil also has characteristics authorized by the FDA to be used as an additive in food applications.

One of the most frequent concerns among users about the use of mineral oil is its benefits and contraindications. It should be clarified that, previously it was believed that this oil tended to clog pores, which generated fear in its use. However, it has now been proven, through scientific evidence verified by the European Union Cosmetics Directive, that it allows the use of this oil without several restrictions.  Among the benefits of mineral oil is to create a protective layer on the skin, without penetrating it, maintaining the own level of skin hydration, which does not interfere with the process of perspiration of the skin. On the other hand, mineral oil is in liquid form, which allows it to adjust to the needs of personal care products. This shows that this oil being lightweight, odorless, and tasteless, can be very versatile for the development of everyday products.  Another of its best-known uses in the cosmetic field is in the makeup remover sector as it is a soft and very effective product in cleansing the face.

Mineral oil also has other uses outside of cosmetic industry.  Due to its lubricating and heat-resistant properties, it is also used as a lubricant for food production machines, where the product can come into contact with food, without having any inconvenience in terms of safety, since it complies with the safety characteristics to have a possible contact with food. The pharmaceutical grade oils offered by LUB–LINE^® are NSF certified for safe use in sensitive areas where food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications are handled, where it is very important that contaminant-free lubricants are used.

It should be noted that mineral oils used in cosmetic products do not pose a risk to human health under normal conditions of use, because for this purpose a type of highly refined and purified mineral oil is used that is not equal to the type of “crude” or unrefined mineral oil used in the automotive industries, railway, and aeronautics.  Likewise, the FDA has reviewed the safety of mineral oil for consumption and, after international studies and verifications, allows its use as a multipurpose direct food additive. An example of this is its use in the food industry as a turbidity agent and vehicle of other substances, anti-foaming agent, gloss agent and anti-caking agent. Mineral oil can be found in products such as emulsified flavored drinks, pills, chewing gums, gummies, fruit snacks, vitamins, and food supplements.

LUB–LINE^® has the best technology currently available on the market, to guarantee oils free of impurities such as residual solvents or elemental impurities, which allows to offer outstanding products, such as mineral oil with better quality and purity. The goal of LUB–LINE^® is always to be at the forefront to offer customers products of the highest quality, safe and versatile, for the elaboration, in this case, of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.