Cosmetic white oil is an absolutely colorless,odorless,vicious and tasteless liquid
Cosmetic grade of white oil is used in petroleum jelly, cold creams, hair oil and chlorinated paraffin wax. F liquid paraffin listed as one of the ingredients in a cream or lotion can be confusing for some peoples . Because paraffin is a product that is commonly used to make candles, which does not have anything to do with skin care. Deeper look at liquid paraffin will reveal that this common personal care ingredient is used in many skin products, including creams, lotions, lip balm, soap, and even eczema ointments. But what does liquid paraffin do, and more importantly, is it safe to use on the skin? To better understand this ingredient, lets take a deeper look at its role in skin care and the possible side effects it can induce.
What is the difference between Liquid Paraffin and mineral oil ?
Liquid paraffin is a petroleum derivative that is also commonly referred to as mineral oil.There are many types of chemicals that are classified under the mineral oil label, and are used in a variety of applications, including manufacturing.However, liquid paraffin is a highly-refined mineral oil that is suitable for skin care product applications and even for oral ingestion. This is an important distinction, because some skin care experts who express concern about liquid paraffin may be inadvertently referring to non-medical-grade mineral oil, which has not been properly purified for use in skin products.
How is Liquid Paraffin Used?
Liquid paraffin is often used in cream formulations because it is believed to help the skin retain moisture. Moisture retention is an important factor in skin care, which is often overlooked. The skin has a natural barrier that prevents moisture loss and helps keep the skin supple.Because of these presumed moisturizing properties, this ingredient oil is also a common addition to eczema creams. Eczema flares up due to lack of moisture, and by fortifying the natural moisture barrier; liquid paraffin may be able to reduce symptoms of this skin condition.
