Mineral Oil

Mineral Oil: Its Origins and Uses in Cosmetics Mineral oil is derived from crude oil, a combination of minerals and decomposing organic matter, such as prehistoric forests and sea-beds. It is obtained by fractional distillation of crude oil. The petroleum is extracted from the earth and transported to refineries to be boiled and vaporized. The vapors rise in a vertical cooling column, where they are converted back into liquid form at different levels, without the use of chemicals. From there, the separated fractions are collected and processed into different products such as gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, paraffin wax, Vasoline and mineral oil.

 Mineral oil is then purified using the same method that is used to purify nut, seed, and vegetable oils. The mineral oil found in most cosmetics, moisturizers, and massage lotions and creams is a food-grade, highly refined, light mineral oil. It is clear, odorless, colorless, and tasteless, and does not add any scent to the products in which it is used. It is non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic, and remains in liquid form even at lower temperatures, unlike most vegetable, nut and seed oils. 

To sum up, mineral oil is natural, effective, hypo-allergenic, non-carcinogenic, non-irritating, non-invasive, stable, and inexpensive lubricant in massage creams and lotions.