What is Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil is a natural byproduct of the refining process for crude oil before it is converted into petroleum products or gasoline. And as the global market for petroleum products is very large, mineral oil is not difficult to find and is easily available as well. There are many different terms that define this oil, but crude oil refining byproduct is the common and easiest form described for it.

Mineral oil does not have colour or smell and has a lot of alkanes and cycloalkanes in it, which are removed when the refining process is on. This is why, this oil is mostly seen as a component in various cosmetics and preservatives, medicines and other food products too; you also would find this oil as a component in cleaning and commercial products too, across the world.

There are many benefits of using mineral oil though, and since it is versatile by nature, experts suggest that this is an oil which is a must-have in every home too.

It Is Good For Those Who Suffer From:

Constipation
Indigestion
Dehydration
Skin inflammation
Eczema
Psoriasis
Dry skin
Dandruff
Scalp issues
Mineral oil would be good to use for hair and skin issues too.

Benefits of Mineral Oil

For Dry Skin:

Mineral oil is a natural sealant for your skin, which helps seal the moisture and prevent dry & itchy skin. This means, your skin would be safe from inflammation and infections, and you will have a very healthy and youthful appearance as well.

Helps Treat Skin Conditions:

If you are suffering from eczema and psoriasis or any other skin inflammatory diseases and disorders, you can use mineral oil as it acts as an emollient and also as a moisturizer. It helps clear those pesky infections soon and also helps to heal the skin faster as well.

Use It As a Makeup Remover:

You can now use mineral oil as a makeup remover as there are alkanes in the oil which are good enough to go through the toughest of chemical mixtures and other oils. When you gently apply mineral oil to the face, it would help take out all the makeup and clean the skin properly. However, you need to be very cautious while using the oil near the eyes and nose, as it could cause irritation.

May help with Constipation:

If you have a blocked gastrointestinal tract, mineral oil can help you clear the tract. It helps to lube the tract up and promote peristalsis motion. This is a motion that induces bowel movements and removes the symptoms of constipation as well. It is an oil which does not let the walls of the stomach absorb the liquid and does not allow the stools to harden too. And thus, there would be no cramps, bloating, and constipation to be worried about.

For Gut Inflammation:

Gut inflammation is serious just like constipation. However, mineral oil is hydrating and soothes the gut by coating the stomach and does not allow irritation from bacterial infection or food to happen. This is how it helps clear up any stomach disorders.

Get rid of Dandruff:

Mineral oil is hydrating as well as moisturizing, which is a boost to the scalp. Massage a little bit of mineral oil onto the scalp and the hair roots to get rid of dandruff. You can use the mix of this oil with any other oil for dandruff treatment that is hair boosting.

For Hair Care:

Mineral oil can be used to enhance the appearance and texture, elasticity and shine of your hair too. Applying this oil helps neutralize the frizz on the hair and also helps treat split ends effectively as well. If you have dry hair, this oil can be used to moisturize and hydrate the hair, locking the moisture in.

So there were plenty of benefits of mineral oil. Now let’s take a look at the side effects of using mineral oil too.

Mineral Oil Side Effects

Mineral oil is a very versatile oil, but it does have potential side effects. Here are a few side effects that you can get from having too much mineral oil.

Many people suffer allergic reactions when they have used mineral oil for hair, skin, beauty, and health, especially in people with sensitive skin. Redness and inflammation, swelling and itching, rash and hives can happen as well.

The overuse of mineral oil can affect the gastrointestinal tract and can cause distress as the oil has very strong effects on the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms can be rectal bleeding, vomiting, nausea, constipation, cramping and bloating as well.

Take Away

Mineral oil is commonly used in hair and skin products as a moisturizer. Mineral oil used in cosmetics undergoes rigorous refinement and purification to ensure its safety for human use.

Allergic reactions to mineral oil are very rare. But if you want to try mineral oil on your hair, apply it to a small section of your skin first and wait 24 hours to see any reaction on your skin. This way you can know how you react to it before using it on your hair.