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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New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: rjohnson
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!
Posted by: anon8393
Is mineral oil dangerous for skin, if used on the face? I mean, in time?
Posted by: anon8632
Is it safe to drink mineral oil (baby oil) for constipation ?
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.
Posted by: anon9316
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?
Posted by: anon10152
Good comparison, drench it in oil vs. a moisturizing spray? Like siting in a bathtub vs running through a sprinkler...
Posted by: anon10879
Also, I was not aware that the skin of a prune was a reasonable experimental substitute for human skin.
Posted by: ilovejonstewart
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.
Posted by: mdt
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. Posted by: anon10922
What value does mineral oil have as a gun protector?
Posted by: mdt
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.
Posted by: anon11896
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!
Posted by: adaavett
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!!
Posted by: sdep
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.
Posted by: biglizard49
Can mineral oil be used to run in diesel engine?
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Malcolm Tatum
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