Mineral Oil.
Also known as: paraffinum liquidum, liquid paraffin, liquid petrolatum, white mineral oil
A colorless, odorless oil derived from petroleum distillation. Used extensively in cosmetics and skincare as an emollient and solvent. Like petrolatum, cosmetic-grade mineral oil may contain impurities if insufficiently refined.
By the numbers.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.
Risk by usage.
How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with Mineral Oil.
Minimal concern with cosmetic-grade product used sparingly.
Daily use on lips means regular low-level ingestion; plant oils are preferred.
High cumulative exposure; strongly recommend switching to natural emollients.
What the research says.
Untreated or mildly treated mineral oils are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by IARC.
IARC Monographs Volume 100F
Can clog pores and contribute to comedonal acne, especially on acne-prone skin types.
Oral exposure through lip products raises concerns about bioaccumulation in the body.
Journal of Women's Health, 2011 — mineral oil hydrocarbons found in human tissue
Global status.
How mineral oil is regulated in cosmetics around the world.
18% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient
Details
Permitted only when full refining history is known; untreated/mildly treated oils prohibited under Annex II entry 306.
Details
Same as EU; untreated or mildly treated mineral oils prohibited.
The reason brands include it.
Inexpensive emollient that gives products a silky texture and prevents moisture loss from the skin.
12
products in our database
6
brands use it
3
product categories
Better alternatives exist. Brands choose mineral oil because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like squalane, jojoba oil, argan oil deliver similar results without the health concerns.
Mineral Oil in product types.
Click a category to see every product containing mineral oil.
Products Containing Mineral Oil
These popular products list mineral oil in their ingredient labels. Tap any card to see the full breakdown.
Compared to Numbrrrz.
Here’s how the lowest-scoring product containing mineral oil compares.
Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment
Blistex
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
Get Your Free Ingredient Safety Report
Enter your email and we'll send you a personalized breakdown of the most common harmful ingredients in your daily products.
What to use instead.
What Numbrrrz uses instead
Numbrrrz replaces mineral oil with Organic Coconut Oil and Organic Jojoba Oil for lightweight, non-comedogenic hydration — no petroleum derivatives needed.
Quick answers.
Is mineral oil in cosmetics the same as industrial mineral oil?
Can mineral oil cause breakouts?
Is mineral oil toxic to ingest from lip products?
What are other names for mineral oil on labels?
Is mineral oil banned anywhere?
Does Numbrrrz lip balm contain mineral oil?
What can I use instead of mineral oil?
How these brands stack up.
Brands that use mineral oil — see how they compare.