Mineral oil in cosmetics

About whether the mineral oil is harmful in cosmetics and whether it is possible to use the products based on this substance, there are very active disputes. Adherents of natural cosmetics are categorically against its use. While giant companies producing creams and body gels add this component to almost all of their products.

What is harmful for mineral oil in cosmetics?

Mineral oil is a substance that has no smell, no color. It is an oil derivative. The most famous hydrocarbons - as it is customarily called mineral oils scientifically - are petrolatum, isoparaffin, paraffin , microcrystalline wax, petrolatum, ceresin.

All funds are divided into two large groups:

Of course, cosmetics use purified mineral oil, which does not contain harmful impurities and hazardous substances. Unlike technical, it goes through several stages of purification. And, nevertheless, it continues to be considered harmful.

The main task of these "suspicious" components is to protect the epidermis from rapid loss of moisture. For this, when applied to the skin, they are taken by an inconspicuous film. The latter is the greatest harm to mineral oil in cosmetics. It does have a protective effect, but it does not allow the skin to breathe normally and slows down the process of its recovery a little.

What mineral oils in cosmetics bring more - harm or benefit?

But there are substances and advantages. One of the most striking is the opportunity to enhance the protective properties of sunscreen cosmetics. This effect is achieved due to the joint action of mineral oils and ultraviolet filter - titanium dioxide.

As an excuse for the use of mineral oil in cosmetics, there is another fact. The substance is too large molecules. They simply do not have the ability to penetrate the depth of the epidermis. And accordingly, it is beyond their power to inflict a blow from the inside of the body.

In addition, I would like to dispel the myth that oils "draw" from the skin vitamins . This issue is being discussed very actively, but so far no scientific confirmation of the veracity of this information has been presented. So we can assume that information is nothing more than a marketing move by manufacturers of natural cosmetics.

As a conclusion, I would like to say: the mineral oil does not represent a mortal danger, but it is still necessary to use them wisely.