I go on and on about mineral oil all the time and am always asked what I have against it.
Here's the thing.
It has no benefit to your skin. Whatsoever. Companies use it because it's cheap - it's not even cheap - the big oil companies pay people to take it off their hands.
Plant-based oils are far more beneficial to the skin - but they are more expensive. That is the only reason more companies don't switch from mineral oil to BETTER options.
Honestly, when I see pots of cream that cost hundreds of pounds/dollars and the first listed ingredient is 'Petrolatum/Mineral Oil' I could LITERALLY headbutt the counter.
Yes, you get brands saying 'But it's refined medical-grade mineral oil!'.
Well Whoopie-DO. *jazz hands*
I suppose that means an omelette isn't really an egg.
You all have a choice - and each to their own. I haven't used mineral oil on my face for over 20 years. And I've never put it on my kids faces.
That's all.
So true. Agreed! xx
ReplyDeleteI might have had a small accident laughing at your jazz hands! Adding rubbish ingredients just because they're cheap gets on my bosoms.
ReplyDeleteAnd what lovely bosoms you have.
DeleteHear, HEAR! x
ReplyDeleteYour post really made me laugh! jazz hands.....that's funny.
ReplyDeleteI prefer just good old almond oil.
Amen! All it does is clog the skin - for years I wondered why I was getting breakouts and then I realized why. Ditching mineral oil has made a huge difference. It infuriates me that super expensive products contain bucketloads of the stuff.
ReplyDeleteI love you, that is all :D
ReplyDeletewww.missmathful.blogspot.com
I love you too.
DeleteThank you! One of the reasons I love your blog is because you keep bringing this up. It amazes me how many people have no idea what mineral oil is and how it differs from plant oils, and yes, I cringe every time I see it on top of the ingredients list in the most expensive creams. I wonder how many people would use it if they knew where it comes from and what it does to their skin.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is wonderful. That's all I can think of to say! My father-in-law worked in the textile industry and used to have a lot of fun reminding me that the stinky oil from wool was stripped off and used in cosmetics, which at first glance seems not very glamorous but is a dream come true compared to the mineral oil gunk. Thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteWas looking at the cult beauty website and they have the Eve Lom Cleanser available now. 80 pounds for a cleanser and what's topping the list of ingredients? Mineral Oil..
ReplyDeleteThe only reason I noticed is because your post reminded me of this issue again, so thank you (:
The main argument i used in my review agains eve lom was the mineral oil & some 'anonymous' person had the actual cheek to say it wasnt the main ingredient! obviously someone who sells the shit hasnt worked out the 1st ingredient is the main one! idiot!!!
Delete*Beauty Mouth promises to make it up to Cult Beauty. And Eve.* :)
DeleteWhy thank you! You just saved me 25 quid! I was queuing up to purchase Elizabeth Ardens 8 Hour Cream when I suddenly remembered your enlightening post on mineral oil. I checked the ingredients and of course it was one of the first on the list. I put it down and swiftly exited the shop. So thanks again, I have to say, I was completely ignorant about mineral oil until I read this post. Good work!
ReplyDelete*Beauty Mouth extends its apologies to Elizabeth Arden* :)
DeleteHi there! Firstly, I love you and your blog, and thanks so much for telling me to ditch C&P and use a cleansing balm. My skin is in a state of zen-like calm compared to its agitated days of yore, and I have you to thank, so thanks very much. Secondly, I've got a blog in a (very) fledgling stage, and I wanted to put together some posts about some common controversial ingredients (parabens, mineral oil, silicones etc) - not in a sort of advice capacity, but just as an objective presentation of some widely held opinions and basic facts. Would it be okay if I credit this blog as source material?
ReplyDeleteThanks for being such a fantastic blogger/advisor, and my username is a link in case you wanted to check it out before deciding.
Hi Jess, Yes of course - that's fine. :)
DeleteHi Caroline,
ReplyDeleteWould you say this is why my Eve Lom cleanser breaks me out? I find it makes my skin a little red too. Should I switch to the Emma Hardie balm or will this break out my sensitive skin?
I would love your advise, Hannah x
I love the way you put this!! I was just curious about straightht cheap mineral oil cosmetically, I had to read no further!! Thank You!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is good for conditioning wood though!!
TCZ