Mineral Oil

Hydrocarbons are one of the most abundant chemical groups in the world. This group of compounds contains only the elements carbon and hydrogen and they are the building blocks of many parts of our bodies, as well as plants and animals. Hydrocarbons are also the primary components of fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas. Hydrocarbons are formed either directly by living organisms or through the geological transformation of organic matter over millions of years

Mineral oil is widely used as an emollient in cosmetics because of its slippery feel and movement on the skin. It provides products with the ability to enhance suppleness and gloss in hair-care products and, by its ability to remain on the skin surface, it can act as a lubricant to reduce flaking and to improve the skin's appearance.

Mineral oil is sourced from petrochemicals, and petrochemicals are the source of a whole range of substances, some of which would never be used in cosmetics and some of which are safe to be used in the food industry. In fact, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has set values for the Acceptable Daily Intake* of those hydrocarbons likely to be eaten.

Only the purest grades of mineral oil will be used to make cosmetic products, and where the products are likely to come into contact with the lips (e.g. lipsticks and lipsalves) then the JECFA Acceptable Daily Intake values will be adhered to.

* Acceptable Daily Intake or ADI is that amount of a substance that can be safely consumed or used every day over a lifetime without causing harm.