What Is Mineral Oil Good For?

Mineral oil uses include skin and lip cosmetic products and more.

Mineral oil is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid obtained from highly refined, purified, and processed petroleum. It is also oily, almost tasteless, and water-insoluble. Mineral oil moisturizes the skin, treats dandruff, cracked feet, and other skin problems, and relieves constipation. Learn about mineral oil uses and the different benefits of using mineral oil.

Mineral oil is highly refined to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the crude oil, which are known to be cancer-causing (carcinogenic). Highly refined food-grade mineral oil is safe for use in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Mineral oil can be found in cosmetics, baby care products, carrier oils, and lubricant laxatives. It is used as a component in eye drops, rectal enemas, and hemorrhoid ointments for its lubricating effects. Mineral oil also has many industrial uses, such as engine oils, gear oils, metalworking fluids, hydraulic fluids, printing inks, agricultural spray oils, and many others.

Mineral oil uses include the following:

• Moisturizing the skin
• Treating dandruff, cradle cap, cracked feet, mild eczema, and other skin problems
• Removing earwax
• Relieving constipation

Mineral oil benefits include the following:

Health benefits of mineral oil

• Mineral oil for constipation is a common home remedy. It works as a stool softener and lubricant laxative by making it harder for your intestines to pull water out of your stools. Although cheap and effective, do not give mineral oil to children younger than 6 years for constipation, or take it if you are bedridden. If you have anal fissures (internal tears) or hemorrhoids (piles), you may also use this oil to help reduce discomfort.
• The use of mineral oil for ears is to dislodge earwax. Place a few drops of body temperature mineral oil in the ears before bedtime for up to 5 days. Once the wax has softened, rinse the ears with warm water (this can be as simple as tilting your head in the shower), then tilt your head so the wax can drain out.
• The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that mineral oil may be used as a fertility-preserving vaginal lubricant. However, studies are still being conducted about the efficacy and side effects.
  • (Mineral oil can damage latex condoms, so do not use it as a vaginal lubricant if using condoms for contraception.)

Mineral oil benefits for skin and hair

• Mineral oil benefits for skin are many. It is used in skin and lip care cosmetic products because they are mild on the skin. It helps protect and clean the skin. Studies over the years have found it can improve skin's softness and barrier functions. It is usually used in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments, and cosmetics because it has several advantages as a natural moisturizer.
• It can help protect exposed skin in cold climates.
• It can be regularly slathered on feet at bedtime to keep the skin supple and crack-free.
• It can be used to remove temporary tattoos. Pour mineral oil on the tattoo and gently rub the ink off.
• It helps remove oil and latex paint from the skin. It also acts as a primer for the skin. Use a rag dipped in mineral oil to gently rub paint spots in a circular motion to remove them from the skin.
• It can be used to prevent diaper rash and soothe other types of skin irritation such as skin burns from radiation therapy.
• It is sometimes used to remove grease paint (theatrical makeup) with ease. It is also great for removing makeup without pulling at the delicate skin around the eyes. It also works as a conditioner for brows and eyelashes, making them less prone to breakage.
• Research suggests mineral oil does not cause acne or blackheads. Its molecular structure is too large to penetrate pores, so it moisturizes by creating a barrier on top of the skin that keeps moisture in and dry air out.
• Mineral oil benefits for hair include moisture retention and protection from damage. It can also reduce frizz and tangles in hair.
• It can help treat dandruff when applied on the scalp, followed by shampooing as normal to remove any residual oil. Leave it on the scalp for an hour, comb or brush through, and then shampoo and condition. For best results, repeat this process at least once a week.
• Mineral oil can be used to remove gum and wax from hair. Work mineral oil into the gum or wax and affected hair until all the gum or wax comes off easily.

Other benefits of mineral oil

• Many commercial lemon oil furniture polishes are just mineral oil with a lemon scent. Plain old mineral oil will give your wood the same look without the added smell and cost.
• Mineral oil is a superior coating for wood cooking tools because, unlike olive or vegetable oil, it won't go rancid. Oil-treated wood is more hygienic. Dried-out wood develops tiny cracks that are a favorite hiding spot for bacteria. To extend the life of wood-cutting boards, utensils, and salad bowls, wipe them down with a liberal application of mineral oil. Reapply oil until the wood cannot absorb any more. Wipe off excess oil with a rag.
• After shaving, carefully dry the blade of the razor. Then apply a thin layer of mineral oil to the blade. The oil will keep the blade from rusting and will act as an extra lubricant for your next shave.
• Mineral oil is also used in making candles and brake fluid and for pest control.
• It is a non-toxic method of killing ear mites in pets such as dogs. It works by smothering the mites.

It's possible to experience mineral oil side effects. Talk to your doctor before consuming it. Topical use is unlikely to cause any side effects.

The side effects of ingesting mineral oil may include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach pains
• Malabsorption of vitamins
• Allergic reactions
• Pneumonia (rarely), if accidentally inhaled

What is mineral oil good for?

Mineral oil is good for use as a mild laxative, both for human and veterinary purposes. Other things it is good for include loosening and removing earwax, hair care, skin care, and for minor skin irritations. It can be used to remove make-up, paint, or temporary tattoos on the skin. Mineral oil can be used for polishing wooden furniture, for coating wooden kitchen utensils to prevent bacteria, and for knives and razors to prevent rusting. It can be used as a non-toxic agent to kill ear mites in pets.

What are the disadvantages of mineral oil?

Mineral oil is safe for topical use, and there are really no disadvantages to using it. Oral ingestion can cause side effects such as stomach pain and diarrhea, interfere with the absorption of nutrients, and in some people, cause allergic reactions. It cannot be used for constipation in children younger than 6 years. Accidental inhalation can cause lipid pneumonia.

Is mineral oil OK to take daily?

Mineral oil is a laxative, and like any other laxative, it is not advised to take it daily for longer than a week at most. Laxatives should be used only for occasional constipation and not regularly. It can cause diarrhea, worsen constipation, or cause other gastrointestinal disorders. If constipation is not resolved within a week after using mineral oil, or any other laxative for that matter, seek medical help.

Can I put mineral oil on my skin?

Mineral oil is safe to use on the skin. It is an ingredient in many skincare products, including those made for babies. It can moisturize skin and soothe minor irritations.

Is mineral oil good for hair?

Mineral oil is good for hair because it forms a coating over the hair shaft and protects it from damage. It reduces tangles and frizz and makes hair more manageable. Mineral oil can also be used to treat dandruff on the scalp.

Why do people avoid mineral oil?

Some people avoid mineral oil in the belief it can be harmful for human use. Some of the reasons people believe mineral oil is harmful include:

• It is a petroleum product and may contain traces of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to be carcinogenic. While untreated and mildly treated mineral oil can contain PAHs, mineral oil meant for human use is highly refined and does not contain PAHs. Food-grade mineral oil is "generally recognized as safe (GRAS)" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Exposure to mineral oil used in industries can be unsafe.
• Some claim mineral oil can cause acne, but there are no studies to substantiate this.
• It is also claimed that mineral oil clogs pores in the skin, but research shows that the molecules are too large to get into the pores or clog them.
• It does not allow the skin to breathe because it forms a barrier over the skin. This effect is precisely what traps the moisture in the skin preventing dryness, the reason for using a moisturizer. Perhaps avoid using it before a workout or on oily skin, but it is perfectly safe and good for the skin otherwise. It is particularly good for skin irritated by conditions such as eczema.
• It is a contaminant that gets into the body and stays in the body. The fact is, skin cannot absorb it, the gastrointestinal tract cannot absorb it, and whatever is ingested from cosmetics is eliminated in your stools. It can be harmful if inhaled, or if you are exposed to mineral oil that is not treated, but cosmetic and medicinal uses are perfectly safe.
• Petroleum products are not environmentally friendly. This is definitely true, and a perfectly valid reason to avoid mineral oil; if you decide to stop using all petroleum and fossil fuel products.