Mineral Oil 101
Mineral oil is the jack of all trades. It’s clear, odorless, and won’t spoil. It may be used as an alternative to varnish, whipped on a tool to prevent rust, swabbed in pets ears to prevent mites, used to lube a stick zipper or hinge, and it’s being used especially by cosmetic companies in creams, ointments, and makeup removers. More good news, it’s inexpensive! Being curious as I am, I looked it up. Cosmetic companies buy in bulk, so I shopped accordingly. According to Steoil’s website (one of the top distributers), they charge about $91 for a 5 gallon tank. Although they do have larger tanks (up to 330 gallons) they did not disclose these prices. Pretty good though if you consider how little many lotions and what not that 5 gallon tank can make.
Now for the bad news. Mineral oil is a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. It is the leftover liquid of processing petroleum. It’s is therefore waste product, and thus very inexpensive. In fact, it is more expensive to dispose of mineral oil, than to purchase it. Its role on your skin is that a hairball in your drains. It clogs the pores, inhibits natural oil production, and locks in the waste and toxins our body gives off in sweat. Moreover, once the oil is absorbed, its then broken down by the liver, passes through the intestinal tract, and absorbes much of the fat-soluble vitamins found there. This includes, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. As a matter of fact, in the healthcare profession, we use mineral oil enemas on certain patients to help reduce their electrolyte imbalances. Nevertheless, this method is used sparingly and only in single doses as studies have shown mineral oil as the cause of Lipoid Pneumonia–a type of pneumonia that significantly decreasing lung function as it is not as responsive to antibiotics. The above facts played a large role in the ban of mineral oil in all European skin care products.
Do yourself a favor and check the list of your daily skin care or lotion. See how far up on the list mineral oil is…the higher on the list, the more there is!
arbonneme 