Mineral oil

Inci Name: Paraffinum Liquidum

Mineral oil is a highly refined, purified, colorless oil derived from petroleum.

Cosmetic-grade mineral oil is non-comedogenic, stable, and safe, and widely used in skincare and haircare.

🔹 Key Properties

✔ Occlusive Moisturizer

Creates a protective barrier on the skin that:
Prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
Softens and smooths skin
Protects dry, irritated, or compromised skin

✔ Chemically Inert

Doesn’t react with other formulation ingredients
Very stable (does not oxidize/rancid)
Long shelf life

✔ Non-comedogenic (cosmetic grade)

Despite myths, cosmetic-grade mineral oil:
Does not clog pores
Is safe for acne-prone skin
Is hypoallergenic

✔ Excellent Solvent/Carrier

Helps dissolve oil-soluble actives, pigments, and waxes.

🔹 Uses in Cosmetics

• Skin Care
• Moisturizers
• Ointments
• Barrier creams
• Baby oils
• Makeup removers
• Protective creams
• Petroleum jelly blends
• Hair Care
• Hair oils
• Anti-frizz serums
• Shine and conditioning products
• Scalp ointments
• Makeup
• Lip glosses
• Lipsticks
• Eye makeup
• Foundations
• Pigment dispersions
• Sunscreens & Balms
• Enhances spreadability
• Helps disperse zinc oxide/titanium dioxide

🔹 Formulation Guidelines

✔ Recommended Use Levels

• Lotions/creams: 1–10%
• Ointments: 10–50%
• Balms: 5–30%
• Baby oil: 95–100%
• Massage oils up to 100%

✔ Skin Feel

• Smooth, emollient
• Can feel slightly greasy at high levels
• Combine with lightweight esters (CCT, isopropyl myristate, coco-caprylate) to reduce greasiness

✔ Compatibility

Mixes well with:

• Waxes (beeswax, paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax)
• Silicones
• Esters
• Oils (plant and synthetic)
• Pigments & mineral filters (ZnO, TiO₂)

✔ Not Water-Soluble

Needs emulsifiers to incorporate into lotions/creams.

🔹 Safety Profile

Our Mineral oil is:

✔ Cosmetic-grade only

Ultra-purified and free from contaminants.

✔ Dermatologically safe

• Hypoallergenic
• Non-irritating
• Non-sensitizing

✔ Approved globally

Fully approved by:

• FDA
• EU
• Health Canada
• African regulatory bodies

✔ Safe for babies

Common in diaper creams and baby lotions.