Ingredient

PETROLATUM

Name / description

Petrolatum, a complex combination of hydrocarbons

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

ANTISTATIC

Reduces electrostatic charges (eg of the hair)

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

Origin

synthetic mineral/synthetic

Occurrence in cosmetics

Basis for ointments and creams (skincare products)

Occurrence in other products

Frequently used carrier substance for test substances in allergy tests, medical ointments, machine lubricants, leather and milking fats, polishing pastes, rust inhibitors

Background information on use in cosmetics

Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is a jelly made of purified, bleached and saturated hydrocarbons, the n- and i-paraffins as well as the cycloalkanes, the naphthenes. The paraffin fractions are solid and liquid; they constitute a stable lipogel. It consists of 10 – 30 % solid and 70 – 90 % liquid hydrocarbons. The spreadability of a good Vaseline is mainly determined by the content of long chain, branched paraffins. Because of its ability to bind liquid lipids, Vaseline serves as a consistency enhancer in W/O creams which ensures good spreadability. However, the consistency of Vaseline is strongly dependent on temperature. Vaseline is used as an ointment basis for skin protection products and is a component of many ointments without active ingredients. Moreover, it is suitable for make-up removal and for the production of brilliantine (liquid haircare products). High shares of Vaseline and paraffins in face care are not expedient since they leave a film on the skin. The hydrocarbons used most frequently in cosmetics are paraffin oil (INCI: paraffin liquidum) and Vaseline (INCI: petrolatum). The hydrocarbons on a mineral oil basis used in cosmetics are highly purified, with a very good tolerance and do not cause any skin irritations.

Information on safe use

Assessment of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) on the safety of mineral oils in cosmetics

Why are we talking about it?

Mineral oils are accused of forming an impermeable film on the surface of the skin. Consumer associations have raised the question of the potential presence of undesirable compounds in mineral oils. The facts: Mineral oils are known in cosmetics as occlusive. This does not mean that they suffocate the skin (which does not breathe), but that the film they form on the skin's surface limits insensible water loss, which puts them in the category of moisturisers. They do not clog pores or cause imperfections. The term mineral oil covers a wide range of ingredients, whose characteristics (structure, viscosity etc.) vary, but which are all composed of hydrocarbons known as “saturated”. Mineral oils used in cosmetics are refined to a high, pharmaceutical grade of purity (1). Mineral oils used in lip products are safe enough to be ingested (2). Mineral oils do not penetrate the skin barrier; they are moreover inert and perfectly tolerated, which makes them a good ally to fragilized skin. Key points to take away: Mineral oils are very well known cosmetic ingredients and are very safe to use (1), both on the skin and on the lips. The purity criteria required in cosmetics limit the presence of undesirable compounds to a minimum, without any health risk (2). The fact that they do not penetrate the skin barrier as well as their occlusive nature are assets in the care of the most fragile skins. They are even used in medical environments in the management of damaged skin (burns, wounds). Sources: (1) Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BFR): Highly refined mineral oils in cosmetics: Health risks are not to be expected according to current knowledge, 2018: https://mobil.bfr.bund.de/cm/349/highly-refined-mineral-oils-in-cosmetics-health-risks-are-not-to-be-expected-according-to-current-knowledge.pdf (2) COSMETICS EUROPE: Mineral hydrocarbons in cosmetic lip care products, 2018: https://cosmeticseurope.eu/download/N08vNnB0TUhMbWpwQmlqVk9UZzdwZz09

Further information

Belongs to the following substance groups

Haircare substances / Conditioning agents

Ingredients for skincare

Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.

Understanding your cosmetics

How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?

Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.

What should I know about endocrine disruptors?

Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.

Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!

In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.

What about allergens in cosmetics?

Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.

Database

Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.

In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.

This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.

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