Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is a highly refined, inert hydrocarbon oil sourced from petroleum, used to create an occlusive layer that reduces transepidermal water loss, buffers against irritants in formulas, and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores for most users.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A gentle petroleum-derived oil that seals in moisture and softens skin.
Category
Barrier Support, Hydration, Skin Conditioning
Type
Occlusive

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

Low

Skin Benefits

Seals in moisture to minimize dryness and flaking, leaving skin feeling silky and supple, and is generally well tolerated and unlikely to clog pores for most users.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Common in moisturizers, ointments, and barrier balms, as well as makeup-removing cleansers and baby oils. Often used in lip treatments and hand creams for intensive softness.

Comedogenic Rating

Mineral Oil has a comedogenic rating of 1. It has a very low likelihood of clogging pores.

Safety

Considered safe for cosmetic use with a low likelihood of irritation or sensitization. Usually non-comedogenic for most, though acne-prone users may still prefer to patch test.

Is Mineral Oil a Good Ingredient?

Highly refined and inert, it's stable, effectively reduces transepidermal water loss, and shows low irritation and sensitization in dermatology literature, which earns it Great. Decades of clinical use and data back it up as a reliable occlusive for barrier support.

Products with Mineral Oil

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