Just knowing that mineral oil is used in so many of the products we use every day should reassure us that it is safe for us to use.

We use it in:

• Ointments
• Baby lotions, soaps and oils
• Hand lotions
• Creams
• Cosmetics
• Petroleum Jelly
• Anti-Aging Products

It certainly seems harmless enough since it’s not only odorless but colorless. So what’s the problem?

Let’s begin with where it comes from:

As a by-product, or the substance left over, it is derived from the process of taking petroleum, which comes from crude oil, and distilling it to make gasoline.

Manufacturers love using mineral oil because they can get it in such great abundance and for such low prices.

Besides using it in our skin care products, it is also used in furniture polish and laxatives. In fact, it is used on wood surfaces like cutting boards or wood counter tops to seal them up, preventing them from absorbing moisture and odor from food.

Knowing that is enough of a warning signal that we should avoid using it on our skin!

We all know that our skin is the largest organ of our body. In order for it to accomplish its purpose of eliminating toxins, it needs to have the ability to breathe freely. If mineral oil is used to seal wood surfaces, why would we use it on our skin?

An even greater question is why would we use it on the delicate skin of a new born baby?

Risks of Using Mineral Oil

• When mineral oil is applied to the skin, it forms a thin layer which the skin has difficulty absorbing, thus clogging the pores which are the exit routes the skin uses to expel toxins.
• When the oil is finally absorbed, it makes its way to the small intestine where it coats the walls and absorbs Vitamins A, D, E and K, which can lead to vitamin deficiencies.
• Our skin needs the moisture from deep skin cells to renew itself. Mineral oil attracts that moisture, breaking down the collagen, destroying connective tissues and slowing down the renewal process…causing premature aging.
• The sun is one of the hardest things on our skin – mineral oil is harder.

Our skin is tasked with protecting our bodies and keeping it healthy. Just as we are becoming more and more aware of what we put into our bodies, we need to become equally aware of what we put on them. Re-evaluating what substances you put on your skin could be one of the healthiest decisions you can make.