What is mineral oil in cosmetics?

Mineral oil is one of the most common ingredients found in make-up and skin care products. However, mineral oil also has a bad reputation when it is said that it will clog pores, spill oil and cause acne on the skin. So what is real mineral oil in cosmetics, what are the uses of mineral oil really?

Mineral oil is a petroleum derivative with typical characteristics such as:
Viscous, colorless, odorless. Can be preserved for a long time (because it is not easy to oxidize). Free of toxins, impurities and dangerous substances. Rarely causes allergies. Low price. Mineral oil is a favorite ingredient of many cosmetic brands and is present in most beauty products such as makeup remover, moisturizer, cleanser, foundation, eye cream, and lip balm. ..
There are 2 main reasons why manufacturers choose mineral oil as an ingredient in cosmetics: low price and extremely good moisturizing effect. Oily ingredients used in cosmetics are often refined, carefully screened and have the ability to lock moisture well into the skin, soften and heal wounds on the skin quickly. However, this is also the reason why many people think that mineral oil can cause clogged pores.

Besides the rumors surrounding mineral oil, this cosmetic ingredient offers many benefits for your skin. Here are some of the uses of mineral oil:
Locks in moisture to the skin: mineral oil creates a protective layer that separates the skin from the outside environment. As a result, your skin will be locked in moisture and protected from bad agents such as smoke, environmental pollution... Softening of the skin: if you own a skin that is prone to dryness, mineral oil is the solution. Effectively helps to smooth and soften the skin, preventing the skin from cracking. Improve the texture of cosmetics: In addition to moisturizing, mineral oils are often used to help cosmetics penetrate the skin more easily. Promotes skin healing: According to some studies, mineral oil and petrolatum (ie vaseline) also have the ability to heal skin lesions.

One of the most common misunderstandings that many women when choosing beauty products often avoid choosing products containing mineral oil is thinking that these ingredients can clog pores and cause acne. fish eggs . However, many studies have proven that mineral oil does not really cause such harm to the skin.
In fact, cosmetic mineral oil has been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration to be safe to use. Mineral oil itself is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores. However, the very effective moisturizing effect of this ingredient accidentally "seal" some other ingredients in the top layer of the epidermis, causing clogged pores. It is not recommended to combine mineral oil with ingredients that cause pore clogging such as: Laureth 4, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Carrageenan. Conversely, you can combine mineral oil with other ingredients that also have hygroscopic properties such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These two substances help absorb moisture to the skin while mineral oil acts as a seal to keep moisture in the skin.
The best time to apply mineral oil to the skin is a few minutes after bathing. If you are incorporating other moisturizing ingredients, use mineral oil as the last step, as this helps the nutrients to be locked in the skin.

Either way, mineral oil has been and will always be a beauty ingredient that is loved and used by many cosmetic brands. Mineral oil, if used in pure form and in the right concentration, will be an extremely good moisturizing product for the skin, but on the other hand, it is not very suitable for people with oily skin, acne, because of the difficult greasy feeling. bear.
In general, mineral oil should be used for those who:
Have dry skin: thanks to its excellent moisturizing effect, applying mineral oil directly to dry skin will feel comfortable. However, mineral oil only has the effect of locking in moisture, not creating moisture by itself, so the moisturizing effect will not last long. Therefore, you still need to use a desiccant such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin... before the step of locking in moisture. Have sensitive skin: due to the non-irritating feature of mineral oil. In case of acne, blackheads or whiteheads on the skin, you should stop using mineral oil. Although there is no research to prove mineral oil's ability to cause acne, dermatologists still recommend paying attention to changes in your skin to prevent acne from getting worse. In particular, mineral oil is not suitable for people with oily skin.
Before deciding to use beauty products containing mineral oil, you should understand your skin type and skin condition as well as carefully study the ingredients and read the product reviews. After using the product should pay attention to the reaction of the skin, if the skin shows signs of irritation, should stop using and consult a doctor.
Once you understand the benefits of mineral oil for your skin, you can consider using it to achieve the best effect in skin care.