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Mineral Oil: Facts, Myths, and Effects on Skin

Mineral Oil: Facts, Myths, and Effects on Skin
While perusing the ingredient list in your favorite skincare products, you may have come across β€œmineral oil.” Mineral oil, sometimes disguised under aliases like white mineral oil, paraffin oil, petroleum jelly, liquid petrolatum, or liquid paraffin, is a controversial ingredient in skincare. Due to its impressive shelf life, the substance has become an irresistible choice for formulators looking to create long-lasting lotions, sunscreens, hair gels, and lip care staples like Vaseline or Aquaphor. 1
01

What is Mineral Oil?Β 

When crude oil is refined into gasoline and other petroleum products, mineral oil and several other impurities are removed from the mixture. This mineral oil is then refined further into a non-toxic moisturizer.2 While most moisturizers get absorbed into the skin, mineral oil, and other occlusives create a physical barrier on the skin's surface.3

02

Avoiding Mineral Oil for Healthy Skin

One of the main criticisms of cosmetic products with mineral oil is their potential to clog pores and trigger breakouts. However, the scientific community has already concluded that mineral oil is non-comedogenic and does not directly cause acne. This is because mineral oils are only absorbed into the top layer of the skin. .1 Consulting a dermatologist can provide additional clarity if you're unsure about what is non-comedogenic. Incorporating a gentle cleanser into your skincare routine is generally enough to clean your pores and prevent this type of acne. Cleansers like PREP can thoroughly remove impurities without disrupting the delicate skin barrier.

Does mineral oil irritate skin?

While mineral oil itself is non-comedogenic, the particles it traps against your skin may not be. Mineral oil creates a physical barrier on the skin, preventing particles from getting in or out. This can suffocate the skin barrier. Although hotly debated, some experts argue that mineral oils’ occlusive nature can trap dirt, bacteria, and other impurities beneath the skin's surface, exacerbating existing acne or causing new breakouts.Β 4,5 This can also disrupt the skin barrier, increasing skin inflammation and accelerating skin aging, although the effects vary based on skin type.6

Is mineral oil right for my skin type?

Your skin type can determine your sensitivity to mineral oil products. Using heavy amounts of a skin care product with mineral oil onΒ oily skin leads to excess oil being trapped underneath the occlusive layer, which can exacerbate acne breakouts. (Read more about an effective skin routine for acne-prone skin here.)
If you find yourself with dry skin, mineral oils may be a tempting option. Mineral oils can lock water particles into the skin, to keep the skin hydrated .4 In conjunction with moisturizers formulated to be fully absorbed into the skin, mineral oils can protect dry or damaged areas of the skin while it fully heals.
03

Choosing Mineral Oil-Free Alternatives

If you're concerned about the potential risks associated with mineral oil and prefer to avoid it, try opting for plant oil alternatives. Alternatives such as jojoba oil, andiroba oil, and moringa oil carry all the benefits of mineral oil without the risks. Jojoba, andiroba and moringa oils are non-comedogenic; they also carry antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help them repair the skin barrier.7

OneSkin’s Commitment

OneSkin commits to using mineral oil-free products. All of our topical supplements are 100% free from fragrance, parabens, phthalates, PFAS, sulfates, lanolin, MCI/MI, DEA, heavy metals, talc, petrolatum/paraffin/mineral oil, or gluten, and do not contain unnecessary emulsifiers, preservatives, and solvents. Each product is carefully crafted with high-quality ingredients to address various skin concerns.Instead of mineral oil, all our products utilize safe alternatives. If you're looking for a moisturizer that works with all skin types, try OS-01 BODY, OS-01 FACE, and OS-01 EYE. These daily moisturizers are powered by our OS-01 proprietary peptide, clinically validated to strengthen the skin barrier (8) and scientifically proven to improve overall skin function and reverse skin aging at its source. (9) Read more about integrating OneSkin’s products into your skin routine today.

Empowering Skin Health Choices

As always, It’s crucial to seek medical advice from dermatologists to find the right moisturizer for your skin type. But, it's also equally important to take control of your skin's health by understanding which ingredients you’re putting on your skin. Platforms such as SkinSAFE can be a great way to understand whether your skin care is helping or hurting you.Based on the internal safety data that we provided, SkinSAFE rated all of OneSkin’s topical supplements and SPFs at a 95 on the SkinSAFE rating scale; they were also awarded the SkinSAFE β€œTrusted Choice: Good For Sensitive Skin” seal.
Key Takeaways:
  • Mineral oil is a byproduct of the distillation of petroleum and goes by various names such as white mineral oil, paraffin oil, and petroleum jelly.
  • While non-comedogenic, mineral oil can trap dirt, bacteria, and other impurities under the skin due to its occlusive nature, which might exacerbate existing acne, cause skin irritation, or disrupt the skin barrier, especially in oily skin types.
  • Cosmetic products containing mineral oil can be beneficial for dry skin as they lock in moisture, helping to hydrate and protect the skin, particularly in damaged areas.
  • For those concerned about the potential side effects of mineral oil in cosmetics, plant oils like jojoba oil, andiroba oil, and moringa oil are recommended as non-comedogenic alternatives with similar benefits.

Last Updated April 23, 2025

Reviewed by

Alessandra Zonari

Alessandra Zonari

PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin

Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.