What is Mineral Oil?
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Mineral oil is one of a number of inexpensive byproducts that are made from petroleum. Sometimes referred to as paraffin oil or Nujol, white mineral oil is composed of a blend of hydrocarbons that is not unlike that of petroleum jelly. The difference is that mineral oil is a liquid petrolatum, making it an ideal choice for a number of applications. Here are some of the more common uses for mineral oil around the home.
Perhaps the single most common use for white mineral oil is to remove makeup at the end of the day. Mineral oil has the ability to cut through the minute amounts of grease and dirt that tend to cling to makeup over the course of the day, making it possible to strip off the layer of makeup easy and prepare the face for cleansing. Along with removing makeup from the face, mineral oil is often used as a beauty treatment, as it is an excellent amplifier that helps the body to absorb ultraviolet rays without drying out the skin. While not everyone is aware, baby oil is simply mineral oil that has been enhanced with a small amount of fragrance.
Mineral oil is also good for use in the kitchen as well. Butcher-block surfaces can be conditioned with the substance from time to time. Treatments of mineral oil help the wood to stay supple, and also help to soften the appearance of nicks and cuts that are made during regular use of the block. Soapstone countertops can also benefit from an application of mineral oil from time to time. The properties of the oil help to keep the surface looking new, even if the countertop has been in place for ten years or more.
Clay is another medium that can benefit from the application of mineral oil from time to time. For example, treating new clay pots with mineral oil will help to age the look of the pot. This is often desirable with decorating schemes that tend toward old country or shabby chic motifs. Clay poker chips can also be aged with the application of a little mineral oil, helping them to look well loved and used.
Mineral oil is a very inexpensive item to keep around the house. With so many different types of uses, having a bottle of mineral oil in the cupboard is an excellent idea. Whether for personal hygiene or maintaining the look and condition of selected items around the home, mineral oil is a great option.
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43
Whats the difference in mineral oils? They sell one to be used as a laxative and then theres one to use on non human stuff. What's the difference? Is baby oil just mineral oil with a fragrance, the same as the laxative one? - anon45495
41
yes arbonne uses no mineral oil, but they use urea in their produts. urea is urine -- animal urine in arbonne products. explain that one. - anon42015
40
I put mineral oil in my car and machinery, *not* on my baby. Put vegetable, cold pressed oils in your cosmetics, make-up removal or children. Don't use "mineral crap" for your skin. - anon41285
39
is mineral or parafinic oil used in agriculture for preventing pests? is it beneficial? does it cause any side effects? - anon41162
38
I use mineral in my essential oils -- works very well. - anon41014
37
Wow! What a bunch of crap! There has never been one study suggesting a link between mineral oil and any type of cancer -- ever! I dare any of you to find a single report recognized by any major medical institution or the FDA that claims otherwise! It's a myth perpetuated by boutique snake oil product companies to justify their reason for existing! Just like the republicans are scaring everyone about death squads and termination of old people when healthcare gets fixed! Wake up, use your brains, don't be afraid to learn something new or question the crap handed to you every day. Remember, knowledge is power! - anon40475
36
is mineral oil good for replacement oil in a sealed electric motor that has leaked its oil out? - anon38589
35
Is mineral oil good for massage lubricant? - anon34609
34
While it is proven that whatever you put on your skin *is* absorbed into your body -- I've found a *new* use for Mineral Oil. *Ready*?!? -- Use Mineral Oil to *cool your computer*. That's right baby. Liquid cooling. Drown your motherboard *and* power supply, video card, RAM, fans, *everything* into a small aquarium or container and drown it in mineral oil. It is *non* Conductive *and* it absorbs heat very well. Deadly quiet. I'm using it now on my old P4 3.0 GHz. Check out Youtube & Google. Overclockers dream. But can be messy. Don't get any on the carpet. And yes, I use Arbonne products as well. - nateschock
33
Mineral oil is also one of the few easy, inexpensive and safe ways to remove henna dye from hair. Unlike normal chemical dyes, henna cannot be removed by bleach or decolerant, these only strengthen the bonding of the henna to the hair and often produce strange and downright hideous results (often leaving shaving the head as your only option).To remove henna using mineral oil, coat the hair liberally in old, wrap in clingfilm or a shower cap and leave on for 30-40 mins. This should strip the henna and leave the hair free to be redyed with commercial dyes without strange results. ~Sakura - anon28535
32
I have done hours of research on this topic from dozens of sources. Here is the conclusion:Cosmetic grade mineral oil, also known as medicinal white oil, is highly refined, with extremely low PAH levels. Cosmetic grade mineral oil has to meet stringent purity requirements defined by the US FDA and international standards. It is considered to be one of the safest, most non-irritating beauty ingredients ever found. It is known for being soothing and very helpful in wound healing, it is hypo-allergic and it works as a protective barrier, locking in the body's own moisture, against damaging elements in the surrounding environment. A leading cosmetic company clearly acknowledges that mineral oil does not cause cancer, does not leech vitamins and minerals from the skin, and does not cause dehydration. Why then, do they have all their distributors running around putting crackers in glasses of mineral oil? ( I believe this practice has finally been stopped by the company) - anon28129
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I too, am a consultant for Arbonne (5 years) and I SWEAR by the product! Ironically, I am researching an age appropriate hypothesis on the water vs baby oil in cup! Loved the comments & I hope to build my business as well as my little one winning science fair! By the way, while we do have some ingredients in our products, parabens, it is so the bottles don't grow LEGS! Hello! All products need a that! - anon25103
30
Is mineral oil useful as a light lubricant? - jake1
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In reply to 13958, coconut oil is best. Safe to eat and use on skin, stable even at room temperature, you can keep it for years and it's actually the best oil to use for cooking too (olive oil is not as stable - best used cold as a dressing). Coconut oil is a great massage oil but I don't find it a great moisturizer on its own - use a little olive oil, lanolin, fish oil and vit E etc for a better result and experiment.Homeopaths tend to agree that mineral oils are not a healthy choice for use on humans internally or externally. - anon23136
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Anybody know how to properly dispose of mineral oil? I was using it for ear drops to clear out my daughter's ears and I have almost the entire bottle left. If it's oil it shouldn't go down the drain, right? Would it qualify for a hazardous waste pick up? - duker777
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for tree scales***4 0unces of mineral oil to one gallon water, shake well and often, spray on trees that have scale (mites) not sure of the ratio. help! - anon19422
26
To the person who said "most of us were practically brought up and raised around all these chemicals and we're doing pretty ok. ;)"...the skin cancer rate now is nearly 3 times higher than it was in 1975 (National Cancer Institute). Remember when we put tanning OIL on us at the beach? We don't anymore-why? Oil is bad for us. If getting skin cancer is doing "pretty OK" then you'll probably be able to deal when you get diagnosed... - anon16879
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yeah a prune is a good equivalent of human skin, because human cells have a cell wall. - anon15279
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OK, I'll be the one to ask...what product is it that is based on nutrition for the skin on the cellular level? - anon14792
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Do you know most skin products still use the mineral oil? Do you there are some product does not use the mineral oil and preservatives? In fact, there is a product not only protects you from UVA and UVB but also do not use mineral oil and preservatives?
I know a a line of products based on the nutrition for the skin on the cellular level.
- Sense
19
Well, mineral oil is really bad for our skin and health. Do any products not use oil and preservative with 2 years shelf life at room temp? - anon13958
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Try this experiment and you will understand: Put water in 2 glasses, add baby oil to one glass, add a saltine cracker to each glass & see what happens. People, your skin can't breathe with mineral oil clogging your pores. What goes on your body, goes in your body. Think!!! - anon13060
17
I am also an Independent Consultant for Arbonne- love , love, love Arbonne. We are going paraben Free-YEAH!!!!!! - anon12854
16
we do use a HALF of % of preservatives. .5% just enough so that it keeps you from putting your products in the refrigerator. Nothing in our products will damage your skin. Maybe you are fine now from using chemicals on your skin but others are not especially mineral oil has shown to give cancer yet doctors are still telling people to drink it up. Its crazy. Also maybe you are fine now who knows what is in your system that can cause damage later. I not trying to scare you but this is a really serious situation. I am only posting to warn everyone. I hate selling i really do, everyone who knows me asked me why i started selling Arbonne but its only because these products work! they are safe! and Everyone sees results! I would not be selling if i didnt know this! - anon12814
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I just want to add re: the Arbonne Consultants...yes Arbonne products don't have mineral oil in them but they do use parabens in their products. According to some studies parabens aren't that safe either. So I guess you choose which harmful chemical you use. Another thing if you think about it a lot of these chemicals are found to be unsafe only now. Most of us were practically brought up and raised around all these chemicals and we're doing pretty ok. ;) - anon12742
14
Can mineral oil be used to run in diesel engine? - biglizard49
13
I also am with Arbonne International! I too am proud to be a representative. Mineral oil IS not good for your skin!! Like Adavett posted it doesnt let anything good stuff get it but some of the mineral oil itself does and its not good that is what ages your skin and can cause cancer!! Please believe that..we do not use it. - sdep
12
I would love to comment on this article.. I am an Independent Consultant for Arbonne; a Health and Wellness company. We have an abundance of skin care for all ages; babies, kids, teens, adults, male/female..And I am proud to say that we have NO Mineral Oil in any of our products. Mineral Oil is a saran wrap for your skin, it does not let any good stuff get in, or let any bad stuff out. I encourage any who are interested in being "Oil-Free" (and we are also Vegan Certified :) Go green!) to visit our website. I am a very proud representative!! - adaavett
11
why would i put mineral oil on my skin that is made from petrolatum, same stuff that gas is made from? and why would i put mineral oil on my skin if you can use it as a substitute for car oil? weird!!! i would rather pay a little bit extra for something that is not made from mineral oil to keep my skin nice, rather than buying something thats inexpensive and let it clog my pores and make my skin look bad! - anon11896
10
Depends on the gun. The mineral oil can weaken the seals on some guns, while other guns will respond well to the oils. Check with the manufacturer before using mineral oil as a cleaning agent or as a lubricant on the gun, just to be on the safe side. - mdt
9
What value does mineral oil have as a gun protector? - anon10922
8
There are tests that seem to indicate that constant exposure to various incarnations of mineral oil in a manufacturing environment may increase the potential for skin cancer - however keep in mind this would be far more exposure than the typical consumer would ever be able to manage with standard use.
Most of us who grew up running around in the sun during the 1960's and 1970's may recall using baby oil to get a tan quicker - not a good thing at all. Mineral oils, including baby oil, do nothing to protect the skin from the effects of overexposure to sunlight. If anyone is using these oils in place of a sunscreen, or thinking that the mineral oil in their makeup is protecting their skin from the sun's rays, they need to make some changes. Mineral oils offer no protection from the sun. But as far as using mineral oil to remove makeup at the end of the day or applying some baby oil to rough skin after a shower or bath - at present, I do not know of any tests that are able to prove using the oil increases the chance of skin cancer with those types of applications. - mdt
7
is it true that mineral oil is a major cause of skin cancer, second only to the sun? i just heard this recently, which scares me because i use a product that contains mineral oil on my children. - ilovejonstewart
6
Also, I was not aware that the skin of a prune was a reasonable experimental substitute for human skin. - anon10879
5
Good comparison, drench it in oil vs. a moisturizing spray? Like siting in a bathtub vs running through a sprinkler... - anon10152
4
researchers today found that mineral oil is bad for the skin. Take a prune, put it in a jar, pour mineral oil into the jar, look at it wrinkle. vs take a prune, put it in humectant moisturizer spray in a jar and look at it plump. tell me why would I want to put mineral oil on my body? - anon9316
3
Is it safe to drink mineral oil (baby oil) for constipation ? - anon8632
Editor's reply: using mineral oil for constipation should only be done under the direction of a doctor. you should avoid drinking baby oil due to the possibility of inhalation, which can cause a serious, life threatening complication. the oil coats the lungs, impeding proper function.
2
Is mineral oil dangerous for skin, if used on the face? I mean, in time? - anon8393
1
Pretty crazy that one product can be used to clean the eyes _and_ as a substitute for car oil! Who knew the seemingly endless possibilities for mineral oil! - rjohnson
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Written by
Malcolm Tatum
Last Modified: 17 September 2009
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