The term ‘mineral oil’ refers to very highly refined liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum distillates, which are used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food packaging, food contact applications and food itself. Other terms often used interchangeably with mineral oil, include ‘liquid petrolatum’, ‘liquid paraffin’, ‘paraffin oil’, ‘medicinal oil’, ‘white oil’, ‘white mineral oil’, ‘food grade oil’, ‘food grade white oil’ and ‘technical white oil’. Mineral oils (medium and low viscosity) are manufactured from crude mineral oils in various refining steps, such as distillation, extraction and crystallization, and are subsequently purified by acid treatment (oleum method) and/or hydrotreatment (catalytic hydrogenation). Mineral oils (medium and low viscosity) are mixtures of highly refined paraffinic and naphthenic liquid hydrocarbons with boiling points greater than 200°C. They are lightweight, inexpensive, odourless and tasteless. Mineral oils are a common ingredient in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments and cosmetics. Examples are their use to prevent brittleness and breaking of eyelashes, in cold cream, and to remove make-up and temporary tattoos. A common concern regarding mineral oil is the presence in many lists of comedogenic (i.e. clogs skin pores) substances that were developed many years ago and are frequently quoted in the dermatological literature. However, more recently, highly refined and purified oils commonly used in cosmetics and skin care products are non-comedogenic.

Source: Cosmetic Formulation Principles and Practice - Heather A.E. Benson, Michael S. Roberts, Vânia Rodrigues Leite-Silva, Kenneth A. Walters

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