Mineral Oil: non-comedogenic or pore clogging hell?
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:17 am

I've been reading about mineral oil lately and have come across a lot of seemingly contradictory information on EDS and the web about it. Many sites say that mineral oil does not react with the skin and is a 0 in terms of comedogenicity (i.e. it does not cause comedones). Other sites say that mineral oil is a "known pore clogger" (that exact phrase has come up a couple times) and there are a lot of people claiming to get acne from using products with even the minutest amount of mineral oil them.

The reason I'm looking into this is because I've been dealing with some acne over the last two months (pustules (cystic?) and a ton of clogged pores/milia) and I'm trying to figure out what caused it. I suspect that it might be from wearing sunscreen daily (BurnOut zinc SPF 30) and/or using Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil nightly (main ingredient is mineral oil). [Or, it could be something else entirely: over-exfoliation from AHAs or Clarisonic, or a Mario Badescu masque, or a possibly expired organic masque from Juice Beauty, or a reaction to a Vitamin C+E serum....sigh, I use(d) way too may products.]

What's your take on mineral oil? Have you had good or bad or neutral experiences with it? Is comedogenicity different from a product's ability to cause clogged pores?

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:45 am

I think its a YMMV type of ingredient. I am acne prone and can use mineral oil without issues.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:05 am

This is only my personal experience with mineral oil. I suffer from occasional break outs. I have extremely sensitive skin and have to be careful with many products and ingredients. Mineral oil does not bother me in any way. It does not clog my pores nor cause me to break out.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:23 am

Mineral oil doesn't bother me physically, but mentally I can't be ok with using petroleum by-products on my skin.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:20 am

I've never seen any solid evidence mineral oil is comedogenic for the general population, but I limit it as a petroleum by product and because it does not 'nourish' skin as certain natural lipids or waxes can. A major problem with assessing mineral oil is it is used is many commercial products which are chemical soups. There is every chance accompanying irritation or clogging is caused by another ingredient: chemical sunscreen, preservative, emulsifier or fragrance. Or by a combination of products, ingredients, gadgets, techniques and lifestyle factors. Confused

Silicones are known to be comedogenic in susceptible individuals, do you have those in your routine? Suffix: -cone, -conol, -xane.

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:40 am

LauraLizzie wrote:

Mineral oil doesn't bother me physically, but mentally I can't be ok with using petroleum by-products on my skin.

I feel the same Laura, it is a cheap by product of petroleum production which has no real use so the cosmetic companies buy it really inexpensively and charge us an arm and a leg for it! Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:29 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

LauraLizzie wrote:

Mineral oil doesn't bother me physically, but mentally I can't be ok with using petroleum by-products on my skin.

I feel the same Laura, it is a cheap by product of petroleum production which has no real use so the cosmetic companies buy it really inexpensively and charge us an arm and a leg for it! Rolling Eyes

I feel the same way but probably even more so because I know my skin can not stand it! Especially when the formula also has shea and cocoa butter in, its like a breakout trifecta for me!
Ive found my skin must like to breathe which mineral oil creates a coating/barrier over ones skin most of the time.

The only time I use it is cold cream to take my makeup off with a wash cloth after one too many wines Cool

free skin care · Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:33 pm

teago wrote:

DarkMoon wrote:

LauraLizzie wrote:

Mineral oil doesn't bother me physically, but mentally I can't be ok with using petroleum by-products on my skin.

I feel the same Laura, it is a cheap by product of petroleum production which has no real use so the cosmetic companies buy it really inexpensively and charge us an arm and a leg for it! Rolling Eyes

I feel the same way but probably even more so because I know my skin can not stand it! Especially when the formula also has shea and cocoa butter in, its like a breakout trifecta for me!
Ive found my skin must like to breathe which mineral oil creates a coating/barrier over ones skin most of the time.

The only time I use it is cold cream to take my makeup off with a wash cloth after one too many wines Cool

I can just imagine, I am blessed to never have had breakouts!

One kid out of 4 had a terrible time with acne so I empathize! Sad

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:35 pm

I never had a problem with mineral oil.

However, I think that they are better oils. It seems like companies frequently use it because it's so cheap.

free skin care · Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:36 pm

LauraLizzie wrote:

Mineral oil doesn't bother me physically, but mentally I can't be ok with using petroleum by-products on my skin.

I feel the same. I just can't get past it and it just makes me think "ick." I don't want that on my skin.

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