Chemistry 101 and Beauty Products
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:30 pm
Section ONE
Topic: Mineral Oil, White Oil, cutting oil.
Source: Derived from Processing of Petroleum to obtain gasoline.
Hi Girls:
I thought that with my background, I could be of benefit if I were to provide some insight into the world of "Chemistry and Cosmetics."
Quote:
The notion that mineral oil and petrolatum (Vaseline) are bad for skin has been around for some time, with Aveda being the most visible company to mount a crusade deriding these ingredients. According to many companies that produce "natural" cosmetics, mineral oil and petrolatum are terrible ingredients because they come from crude oil (petroleum) and are used in industry as metal-cutting fluid (among other uses) and, therefore, can harm the skin by forming an oil film and suffocating it.
This foolish, recurring misinformation about mineral oil and petrolatum is maddening. After all, crude oil is as natural as any other earth-derived substance. Moreover, lots of ingredients are derived from awful-sounding sources but are nevertheless benign and totally safe. Salt is a perfect example. Common table salt is sodium chloride, composed of sodium and chloride, but salt doesn't have the caustic properties of chloride (a form of chlorine) or the unstable explosiveness of sodium. In fact, it is a completely different compound with the harmful properties of neither of its components.
Cosmetics-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most nonirritating moisturizing ingredients ever found (Sources: Cosmetics & Toiletries, January 2001, page 79; Cosmetic Dermatology, September 2000, pages 44–46). Yes, they can keep air off the skin to some extent, but that's what a good antioxidant is supposed to do; they don't suffocate skin! Moreover, petrolatum and mineral oil are known for being efficacious in wound healing, and are also considered to be among the most effective moisturizing ingredients available (Source: Cosmetics & Toiletries, February 1998, pages 33–40).
unQuote
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil
The link will provide additional information on "Mineral Oil."
Mineral oil or liquid petrolatum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline.
Now before we go off the deep end here girls, this product is just about in every cosmetic over-the-counter product. Just look at the ingredient label and usually, mineral oil is first on the list as the primary ingredient.
I personally have used "baby oil" to remove makeup etc. So, for the most part, it has been determined the past 100 years to be a safe item for your cosmetic shelf. Many creams that employ mineral oil also add parafin to help coat your skin, keeping the oil on the surface to hold moisture in during the day and keep your skin soft and supple.
All of the sub-products that we buy in the store just add minor product additives to maintain color and consistency.
The next entry will cover the natural alternative, [Olive Oil.]
Yes girls, you can use this on your skin too and it will not clog your pores and provides great antioxidant benefits as well.
[/quote]
Topic: Mineral Oil, White Oil, cutting oil.
Source: Derived from Processing of Petroleum to obtain gasoline.
Hi Girls:
I thought that with my background, I could be of benefit if I were to provide some insight into the world of "Chemistry and Cosmetics."
Quote:
The notion that mineral oil and petrolatum (Vaseline) are bad for skin has been around for some time, with Aveda being the most visible company to mount a crusade deriding these ingredients. According to many companies that produce "natural" cosmetics, mineral oil and petrolatum are terrible ingredients because they come from crude oil (petroleum) and are used in industry as metal-cutting fluid (among other uses) and, therefore, can harm the skin by forming an oil film and suffocating it.
This foolish, recurring misinformation about mineral oil and petrolatum is maddening. After all, crude oil is as natural as any other earth-derived substance. Moreover, lots of ingredients are derived from awful-sounding sources but are nevertheless benign and totally safe. Salt is a perfect example. Common table salt is sodium chloride, composed of sodium and chloride, but salt doesn't have the caustic properties of chloride (a form of chlorine) or the unstable explosiveness of sodium. In fact, it is a completely different compound with the harmful properties of neither of its components.
Cosmetics-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most nonirritating moisturizing ingredients ever found (Sources: Cosmetics & Toiletries, January 2001, page 79; Cosmetic Dermatology, September 2000, pages 44–46). Yes, they can keep air off the skin to some extent, but that's what a good antioxidant is supposed to do; they don't suffocate skin! Moreover, petrolatum and mineral oil are known for being efficacious in wound healing, and are also considered to be among the most effective moisturizing ingredients available (Source: Cosmetics & Toiletries, February 1998, pages 33–40).
unQuote
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil
The link will provide additional information on "Mineral Oil."
Mineral oil or liquid petrolatum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline.
Now before we go off the deep end here girls, this product is just about in every cosmetic over-the-counter product. Just look at the ingredient label and usually, mineral oil is first on the list as the primary ingredient.
I personally have used "baby oil" to remove makeup etc. So, for the most part, it has been determined the past 100 years to be a safe item for your cosmetic shelf. Many creams that employ mineral oil also add parafin to help coat your skin, keeping the oil on the surface to hold moisture in during the day and keep your skin soft and supple.
All of the sub-products that we buy in the store just add minor product additives to maintain color and consistency.
The next entry will cover the natural alternative, [Olive Oil.]
Yes girls, you can use this on your skin too and it will not clog your pores and provides great antioxidant benefits as well.
[/quote]