Mineral Oil

Also known as: Liquid paraffin, Paraffinum Liquidum

INCI name: Mineral Oil / Paraffinum Liquidum

What it does

A highly refined, colourless oil made of saturated hydrocarbons. It softens skin and forms a light seal that slows water loss.

Benefits

Softens skin and reduces water loss, and in a randomised trial on dry skin it improved hydration about as well as virgin coconut oil. Very stable — it does not go rancid — and almost never causes allergy.

Concerns & Risks

Cosmetic grades are highly refined to remove the aromatic hydrocarbons behind the safety worries sometimes raised online. It can feel greasy at high levels, and some people simply prefer to avoid petroleum-derived ingredients.

Comedogenic rating

0/5

Non-comedogenic (0)

Suitable for

Dry, normal, sensitive and eczema-prone skin

Avoid if

You want a genuinely oil-free product, or occlusive textures feel heavy on your skin

Typical concentration

From a few per cent in lotions to nearly 100% in body and baby oils

Products containing Mineral Oil

2 products in our database