Why We Don't Use Paraffin Oil in Skin Care

The cheapest way to make a moisturising cream is to use Paraffin Oil, also called Mineral Oil, which is derived from petroleum. For cosmetic use, this oil is further refined to eliminate the carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons. Despite this, an analysis did find that “mineral oils used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes reveal the presence of several carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons .” (Link)

However this is not the reason we avoid Paraffin Oil as we imagine it must be safe as it is so widely used. We don’t use Paraffin as we don’t like the feel of it on the skin. It is an “occlusive” oil that coats the skin. The skin will feel moisturized because it has a greasy film of Paraffin Oil on top, but we prefer natural oils that more closely mimic the skin’s own oil and penetrate for deep down moisturisation.

Most pharmacy creams use Paraffin (Mineral) Oil, and add very small amounts of other ingredients for their label. This makes a very inexpensive cream, but not necessarily a product that is good for the skin.

A cream routinely given to children with eczema may actually cause them more harm than good. A survey of 100 British children treated with aqueous cream (Paraffin Oil and Water) has found it irritated over half of them. Their symptoms ranged from redness and itchiness to burning and stinging, which risk making their condition worse. Writing in The Pharmaceutical Journal, the researchers urged patients and clinicians to be aware of the problem. (Source)

MooGoo does not use Mineral Oil in any of its products. We suggest checking your skin care products to see how many use Paraffin Oil. You may be surprised. Paraffin Oil is also used to make Sorbolene, Baby Oil, Bath Oil (some brands), Washing Creams. many Eczema Creams, Bio-Oil and sunscreens etc