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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.
Also known as
liquid paraffin, paraffinum liquidum, white oil
Pairs worth knowing
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