The one ingredient you should never use on your skin is Mineral Oil - or commonly known by one of these names below:-
Mineral Oil / Petroleum / Petrolatum / Paraffin / Paraffinum Liquidum
Mineral oil should not be confused with oils rich in minerals, like Zinc or Magnesium.
Mineral oil is also commonly known as:-
- Petroleum jelly
- Soft paraffin
- Paraffin oil
- Paraffin wax
Why You Should Avoid Using It On Your Skin
- It does not have any nutritional properties
- It blocks the pores which does not help oily skin
- It does not give dry skin the moisture it needs.
- It is used as a cheap moisturiser
- It eventually effects how the skin functions.
- It can and does make eczema worse over time.
- Mineral oil sits on the surface of the skin – it doesn’t let moisture out or let any beneficial ingredients in. The skin cannot “breathe”
Now have a look on the back of your skincare labels to see if it is there.
Obviously it won’t be in any of your Cocorosa products 😌
Find out more about using luxurious plant oils on your skin.
What is it in?
Probably 75% of mainstream skincare, and 15 years ago probably 95%.
It is the main ingredient in petroleum jelly, all the pure white creams that doctors recommend for eczema plus millions of other day creams and night creams.
One of the world's most expensive (or perhaps could be called overpriced) creams has Paraffin as the base, along with water. So that means that approximately 75% of that cream has no nutritional benefits to the skin and cannot be absorbed by the skin. In my opinion - a total marketing con.
There are hundreds of other ingredients that could be used, instead of a bulking agent.
As a formulator I find it so frustrating when the big brands use cheap, non nutritional ingredients in their skincare, and instead spend all the money on clever marketing. It is so wrong 🤯 and just cheats their customers.
I am proud to be a small, independent brand - using the finest quality luxury ingredients. It is the very cornerstone of our brand philosophy.
What Should You Use Instead?
I always advise clients to “wean off” skincare products with paraffin, if they have been using them for years.
If you suddenly stopped using it and went to natural, oil based products AM & PM then your skin can go through a shedding process. It can be exfoliated off, but it is often best to start using the oils at night. Then after 2 - 4 weeks you can start using them in the day too.
You would honestly be better using Olive Oil or Sunflower Oil on your skin than products containing Mineral Oil, as they are both rich in Vitamin E and other essential fatty acids and minerals. Which is another thing I have said that to clients for years too.
It is time to really get acquainted with the ingredients in your skincare.
Check out our GREEN BEAUTY page to find out what should be in and what should be out of your skincare products.
Only the highest quality natural & organic ingredients & cold pressed plant oils are used in COCOROSA products.
All COCOROSA Products are FREE FROM:
- Parabens
- Petrochemicals (mineral oil, petroleum)
- Sulphates (sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, SLS)
- Silicones
- Propylene Glycol
- TEA (Triethanolamine), DEA (Diethanolamine)
- Phthalates
- PEGS
- Phenoxyethanol
- Colours or dyes
- Artificial fragrances
- Hydrogenated Oils
DISCLAIMER: This Blog article is all my own opinion, but based on over 25 years as a therapist, specialising in treating skin conditions such as eczema, plus with over 15 years as an award winning formulator, and years of training, education and being a trainer.
Please do message if you would like to know more.
Thank you for reading.
