The Truth about mineral oil + mineral oil addiction

Mineral oil is a synthetic by-product of petroleum. On your skin it only forms a film that slows down water loss. A cold-pressed plant oil does that too, but also feeds your skin with fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants.

Do you know what is in your skincare?

Maybe you do already check your food for certain additives and ingredients, but it is equally important to check your skincare and make up products as well. Your skin absorbs within 26 seconds in your bloodstream what you put on it, so opting for all-natural and organic products will help your body in the long term to maintain healthy and vitality.

Mineral oil is 100% synthetic. It is a by-product of the process used to create petroleum products (gasoline). Many brands use mineral oil because there is nothing cheaper! Mineral oil costs 2% of the price of standard olive oil.

The disadvantages of mineral oil for your skin

There is no reason to use mineral oil over a plant-based oil. It coats the skin like plastic and clogs the pores, interfering with the skin's ability to excrete toxins, promoting acne and other skin concerns. The result may slow down the skin's functions and cell development, which in turn may result in premature aging.

The packaging, the advertising, the beautiful promises. These are not the most important factors when choosing products. Always check what is IN them.

I can't say this often enough: your skin is an organ! If you treat and respect it like an organ, it will grow healthy and strong. And healthy skin is beautiful skin. The sebum function is super important for healthy skin. The precious substance ensures, among other things, that bacteria and viruses do not stand a chance. Sebum also hydrates the skin and retains moisture. You can drink a liter of water a day, but if it evaporates on the surface of the skin, it will unfortunately not be of much use.

Mineral Addiction

When using mineral oils, your skin might even develop a so-called mineral oil addiction: because you block the surface of the skin, sebum can't be excreted and accumulates in the pore. The skin will think that enough sebum has been produced, and sebum production will be slowed down. The result: dry skin. Then you start to rub more (because of dry skin), and you end up in a vicious circle of rubbing and dehydration.

The reverse effect is also possible: if you naturally have a higher sebum production, you will get oilier skin due to the sebum accumulation. But in the long run this will be followed by dryness.

So do check your skincare products for this ingredient. Many foundations and concealers also contain mineral oil, so check your makeup products as well! So please remember to check your makeup products as well.

Two oils that work in opposite ways

Mineral oil is occlusive. It forms a film on top of the skin and slows down water loss, and that is the whole of what it does. A cold-pressed plant oil does that sealing part too, but it also carries fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants into the skin. The first one covers; the second one cares. That single difference shapes everything below.

How they treat your skin

Because mineral oil only seals, the skin underneath is not being fed. It can feel comfortable for a while, but nothing is repairing the barrier or calming irritation. A plant oil seals and delivers at once. Its fatty acids and antioxidants support the skin barrier and help soften fine lines and calm redness over time. You are not just trapping moisture; you are giving the skin something to work with.

Feel, absorption, and daily use

Mineral oil can feel heavy and can sit on the surface, which is why some people with congested or breakout-prone skin avoid it. A well-chosen plant oil is close to the skin’s own oils, so it absorbs quickly and rarely feels greasy. A few drops are enough, pressed in as the last step of your routine.

Source and sustainability

This is where the gap is widest. Mineral oil comes from petroleum, a fossil resource, and is not renewable. Plant oils come from crops that can be grown organically and pressed with care. For a brand built on slow, natural skincare, that difference is not a detail. It is the whole point.

Which oil for which skin

Almost every skin type does better with a plant oil, but the right one depends on your skin. Dry skin loves a richer, nourishing oil; oily and combination skin do well with a light one used sparingly, and sensitive skin needs a gentle, fragrance-free formula. We break this down properly in our guide on which face oil suits your skin.

Other names for mineral oil:

• Paraffin Liquidum

• Light Liquid Paraffin

• Light Mineral Oil

• Liquid Paraffin

• White oil

• White Mineral Oil

• Mineral oil

• Liquid Petrolatum

• Paraffin Subliquid

• Liquid Petrolatum

• Vaseline

• Okozerit (a brand name of mineral oil)

• Ceresin (a brand name of mineral oil)

• Dimethicone

How to tell them apart on the label

Turn the bottle over. If you see paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, mineral oil, or paraffin near the top of the list, that product is built around mineral oil. If you see named plant oils instead, such as rosa canina, simmondsia chinensis, or rosa damascena, the formula is doing more than sealing. A short list around real plant oils is usually the better sign.

If you want to start with mineral oil-free skincare, try one of our 100% vegan & organic starter sets. It will take a couple of weeks before your skin starts to function normally again, but eventually you'll be very happy with the result!