What Are Mineral Oils?

In their most general definition, mineral oils are fats derived from fossil by-products and purification like coal, natural gas, or crude oil. However, they can also be synthetically produced and safer for use and the environment. The most well-known mineral oils are petroleum (vaseline) and paraffin oil. 

Why No Mineral Oils in Skincare?

Nowadays, beauty brands can decrease their environmental impact by using synthetic instead of fossil mineral oils. Regardless, don’t forget that this ingredient is still comedogenic and occlusive. 

So, while mineral oils might work perfectly in a hand cream for dry skin (since our hands aren’t acne-prone), we don’t recommend them as ingredients in facial skincare products. 

Using skin care products with mineral oils can worsen acne-prone skin by clogging your pores and triggering breakouts. 

The Dangers of Mineral Oils

As we’ve mentioned above, mineral oil is occlusive and comedogenic. So using facial skincare products with mineral oils can contribute to:

• Clogged pores and comedones;
• Acne breakouts and worsening of acne-prone skin;
• Oily skin;
• Fossil-origin mineral oils deplete Earth’s natural resources;