3 Unusual Reasons to Avoid Mineral Oil for Skin and Hair

Last Updated on March 23, 2023

By now you may have all heard and read articles on why you must avoid mineral oil is bad for your skin and hair. There are plenty of articles focusing on how it is comedogenic, causes clogged pores etc. I even included it in my list of harmful ingredients to avoid from your personal care routine.

But today I am not here to go over the same stuff again. In fact, I am sharing a few other important reasons why I recommend using plant-based ingredients over mineral oil in your beauty routine.

Why Avoid Using Mineral Oil for SKin and Hair

1. Limited benefits.

The most common or rather the only use of mineral oil or petroleum jelly in beauty is for moisturizing. When applied to the skin, it forms a layer on top of it and prevents moisture from escaping.

Now, there is no doubt in its capabilities of sealing the moisture well and is hence widely used in several formulations as an occlusive. But all its benefit ends there, it does nothing more!

Because mineral oil has zero nutritional value. Whereas plant butter like cocoa butter, shea butter, mango butter etc. not only help seal in the moisture but simultaneously also nourish your skin.

Plant oils and butters contain several active components that help target issues like stretch marks, blemishes, rashes etc. They also provide essential fatty acids and much-needed antioxidants to the skin.

So they definitely have the edge over mineral oil when its comes to benfits offered for skin and haircare.

Also Read: How Plant Butter can Change Your Moisturizing Game!

2. Intensive Refining

Mineral oil, petroleum jelly and paraffin wax are all petroleum by-products. But they cannot be used directly for cosmetic formulations in their raw form.

petroleum byproducts are contaminated with PAHs which are human carcinogens. Hence they have to undergo refining for being safe enough to be used in cosmetic formulations. This entire refining process utilizes loads of energy and other resources as well.

On the other hand, manufacturing plant oils and butters requires far less energy and resources. When extracted via the cold pressing method, they need not be refined and can be used in their raw form which retains all its nutrients and other compounds.

3. Source of Origin

Petroleum is a non-renewable source of energy. And we are all aware of the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.

Although only a small amount of petrochemicals are used for cosmetic formulations, there is still no need to resort to them for our personal care routine when there are sustainable plant-based options available.

Hence, given a choice, I always prefer and also recommend others to choose plant-based occlusives and avoid mineral oil for skin and hair.

Are willing to give up your petroleum-based beauty products for good?

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