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Mineral Oil

Mineral Oil · Paraffinum LiquidumBarrier

Cosmetic-grade petroleum-derived occlusive. Better tolerated than its reputation suggests.

What it does

Mineral oil is a refined, inert occlusive that sits on the skin surface and slows transepidermal water loss. The 'comedogenic' reputation comes from older, less-refined industrial grades; the cosmetic-grade ('USP white') used in modern formulas tests non-comedogenic in clinical studies and is considered one of the safest occlusives available. Performance is similar to petrolatum but with a lighter feel. Acne-prone skin sometimes still finds heavy mineral-oil-rich formulas occlusive in practice — patch-testing helps.

The evidence, graded

expert consensusFungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) is fed by fatty acids and esters with C11-C24 chain lengths. Oils in that range are frequently reported to worsen it, including oils marketed as pore-friendly or 'safe for acne-prone skin'. Squalane, MCT, and mineral oil fall outside the range and are typically tolerated.Rubenstein 2014 · Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology ↗
expert consensusCosmetic-grade mineral oil is highly refined, does not penetrate human skin, and is not susceptible to the oxidation that makes some plant oils sensitising. Its skin tolerance is well documented, and EU cosmetic use is bound to purity specifications on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.Chuberre 2019 · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ↗
emergingSome occlusives (cocoa butter, coconut oil, isopropyl myristate, certain plant butters) can be comedogenic on acne-prone skin. Lighter occlusives (squalane, mineral oil, hyaluronic acid, glycerin) are generally non-comedogenic in published data.Kligman 1972 · Archives of Dermatology ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Also known as

liquid paraffin, paraffinum liquidum, white oil

Pairs worth knowing

Ceramides · works together ↗Glycerin · works together ↗Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5) · works together ↗Petrolatum · works together ↗

Read more

Routines · 5 minOil Cleansing for Non-Acne-Prone Skin: Does It Work?Oil cleansing has a clearer case for dry and normal skin than for acne-prone. Here is when the method helps, when it does not, and how to pick an oil.

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