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

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


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.

Understanding your cosmetics

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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.

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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.

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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.

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