Ingredient
PARAFFIN
Name / description
Paraffin, a solid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum
Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products
SKIN CONDITIONING
Maintains the skin in good condition
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Increases or decreases the viscosity of cosmetic products
Origin
synthetic mineral/synthetic
Occurrence in cosmetics
Consistency enhancers for creams, ointments, makeup, emulsions, stick products etc
Occurrence in other products
In medicinal products, eg as consistency enhancer and ointment basis
Background information on use in cosmetics
The term paraffins or mineral oils includes a large number of many different raw materials with different consistency, eg liquid oils or solid waxes. They have been used for decades in a large number of end consumer products. Cosmetic products like creams, lotions, lipsticks etc can also contain these substances. Paraffins are saturated, branched and non-branched hydrocarbons which are obtained from petroleum or can be produced synthetically. They are lipophilic (oil-receptive), hydrophobic (water-repellent) and are characterised by their high stability. All paraffins are insoluble in water, difficultly soluble in 100 % alcohol, mixable with fats, fatty oils and waxes. Mineral oils have film forming as well as hydrophobic (water repellent) properties in cosmetic products and support shine formation on the skin (eg in the event of lipsticks). Furthermore, they serve as consistency enhancers in creams and protect the skin against moisture loss. The paraffins used in cosmetics are highly purified, with a good tolerance and do not cause any skin irritations. The most frequently used hydrocarbons in cosmetics are paraffin oil (INCI: PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM) and Vaseline (INCI: PETROLATUM). On the basis of their consistency and origin it is distinguished between the following paraffins: Liquid paraffin, paraffin oil, mineral oil (INCI: PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM) contains many branched and also cyclical hydrocarbons. Hard paraffin (INCI: paraffin) is a solid mixture of saturated hydrocarbons. Microcrystalline wax (INCI: cera microcristallina) is a purified, solid paraffin with crystalline structures. Ozokerite (INCI: ozokerite) is a naturally occurring solid paraffin (natural wax) with solid, saturated, highly molecular hydrocarbons with admixtures of isoparaffins and aromatics. It can be used as consistency enhancer. Ceresin (INCI: ceresin) is an ozokerite purified by removal of the admixtures and is used as the latter. Vaseline (INCI: petrolatum) is the purified residue of the petroleum distillation consisting of n-paraffins and iso-paraffins. The paraffin fractions are solid and liquid and constitute a constant lipogel.
Information on safe use
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
Belongs to the following substance groups
Regulating cosmetics
Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.
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.
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