Did you know that mineral oil is a key ingredient in many skin care creams and cosmetic products? It may be surprising to find out that your favorite cream is based on petroleum! It sounds bad for your skin for sure, but is it really?
Let's first take a look at what mineral oil really is. In fact, this substance which also called liquid paraffin, paraffin wax and petrolatum among others is a by-product of crude petroleum. Technically it's a natural product, as crude oil is originally based on organic material, but it cannot really be compared to truly natural ingredients, as it works so differently when used in skin care than plant-based products.
In skin care, mineral oil is used because it coats the skin to keep in the skin's own moisture. Mineral oil itself doesn't provide any moisture at all to your skin, it just covers the skin, retaining the skin's own moisture under itself.
That wouldn't be so bad, if it didn't come with side effects like clogged pores, dryness and chapping of the skin, and even premature aging. Think about it: with mineral oil based skin care you are effectively smearing a thin foil of quasi-plastic on your skin. Do you think your skin can breathe under plastic any more than you can? That's right, it can't.
Mineral oil does act as a very effective barrier on the skin, but because of that it interferes with the body's own moisturizing mechanisms and skin's ability to eliminate toxins, leading dry skin, clogged pores and perhaps acne and ageing of the skin - the very conditions people are trying to get rid of with skin care!
Knowing all this, why on Earth would prestigious companies continue to use mineral oil as the main ingredient in their skin creams? Sad but true: because it is cheap and enables the products to have a long shelf life.
I don't know about you, but I refuse to give my money to companies that sell their products at a high price but continue to use sub-standard ingredients in them, especially when there are so many alternatives available.
Instead of mineral oil, serious natural skin care companies might choose to use plant-based glycerin, oils and emulsions like shea butter, avocado oil or babassu wax. These truly natural ingredients won't clog your pores and will actually moisturize and nourish your skin, completely naturally.
If you'd like to know about how mineral oil based skin care might be harming you and learn more about safe, effective natural skin care, please visit my informative website today - the link is below!
Lumi H. Jais believes in taking good care of herself by healthy habits like a balanced diet, quality supplements and using the best natural skin care products, as she is passionate about maintaining her youthful appearance and beautiful skin.
Visit her website natural-perfect-skin.com today for more information on best natural skin care for fast and effective results.
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