Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a common ingredient in many mass produced hair and skin products. Reason being the inexpensive filler it makes in order for the given product to “stretch” and last on store shelves. Mineral oil also known as a liquid petrolatum is a by product of the distillation process in the making of crude oil and gasoline.
Mineral oil is used in a number of products due to the abundance in which it is leftover after making gasoline. Ironically it is more expensive to properly dispose of the product then it is to bottle up and sell to you and I!
Mineral Oil has been FDA approved as safe. However, when tested on lab mice some have developed cancer when placed on the mice’s skin twice a week, for 20 weeks.
“Mineral oil acts as a thin layer on the skin. It is difficult to absorb and clogs the pores, which slows the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. Remember, the skin is the body’s largest organ and plays an important role in maintaining overall health! Once the oil is absorbed, it is broken down by the liver and passes through the intestinal tract, it will absorb all of the fat-soluble vitamins found there. It is essentially stealing important vitamins from the body, which the body will not be able to replace. This can eventually lead to nutritional deficiencies. Studies have also shown forms of pneumonia caused by mineral oil decreasing lung function, known as lipoid pneumonia. Because of these dangers, the medical community has condemned the use of mineral oil taken orally or as an ingredient in medications.”- From Herbal Luxuries
Category: Hair Product Ingredients
