Mineral Oil in Lip Products: A Petroleum Derivative
Everything you need to know about this ingredient in lip care.
Mineral oil is a clear, odorless oil derived from petroleum distillation. It is used extensively in conventional lip balms and cosmetics as a cheap moisturizing agent. Like petroleum jelly, mineral oil creates an occlusive layer on skin but does not deliver any nutrients or active hydration. It is essentially liquid petroleum — the same basic category of substance as the gasoline in your car, just refined to a different grade. While cosmetic-grade mineral oil is purified and considered safe by regulators, many consumers are choosing plant-based alternatives for both health and environmental reasons.
Scientific Backing
A study published in the Journal of Women's Health found that cosmetic-grade mineral oils can contain detectable levels of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), which accumulate in human tissue. The European Food Safety Authority has expressed concern about MOAH compounds as potential carcinogens. Research in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science confirmed that while mineral oil prevents water loss effectively, it provides no active skin benefits compared to plant-derived oils which contain vitamins, antioxidants, and beneficial fatty acids.
How Numbrrrz Uses Mineral Oil in Lip Products: A Petroleum Derivative
Numbrrrz contains no mineral oil or any petroleum-derived ingredients. We use organic coconut oil and organic jojoba oil — plant-based oils that not only prevent moisture loss (like mineral oil does) but also actively deliver vitamins, antioxidants, and beneficial fatty acids into lip tissue. It is the difference between a product that merely coats your lips and one that nourishes them.