White Mineral Oil

✦ Highly refined Paraffinum Liquidum with exceptional purity, clarity, and cosmetic-grade certification
✦ Powerful occlusive emollient that forms a moisture-sealing barrier to reduce transepidermal water loss
✦ Enhances spreadability, skin feel, and texture in creams, lotions, balms, and hair products
✦ Classic ingredient in baby oils, barrier creams, cold creams, ointments, and lip care products
✦ Virtually odorless and colorless — preserves fragrance integrity and pigment stability in formulas
✦ Exceptional oxidative stability with a shelf life of up to five years when properly stored
✦ Petroleum-derived and non-vegan; cosmetically purified and widely accepted as safe at standard use levels

White Mineral Oil is a highly purified, colorless, odorless liquid hydrocarbon obtained through the deep refining of petroleum. Known by its INCI name Paraffinum Liquidum, it has been used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products for well over a century. Its long and well-documented history of safe use has established it as one of the most trusted raw materials in professional cosmetic formulation, appearing in baby oils, cold creams, body lotions, ointments, and hair care products around the world.

What makes White Mineral Oil uniquely valuable is its remarkable chemical inertness and occlusive action. Rather than penetrating deeply into the skin, it deposits a thin, breathable film on the surface that dramatically reduces transepidermal water loss, effectively sealing in hydration and protecting the skin barrier. This mechanism also enhances the retention of active ingredients applied beneath it. Its near-zero comedogenic risk at cosmetic concentrations and compatibility with virtually every cosmetic ingredient class further cement its status as a formulator essential.

Rabibazaar supplies cosmetic-grade White Mineral Oil suitable for DIY beauty formulators, professional cosmetic manufacturers, soap makers, and home crafters seeking a reliable, high-purity emollient base.

INCI Name : Paraffinum Liquidum
Chemical Name : White Mineral Oil / Liquid Paraffin
CAS Number : 8042-47-5
Molecular Formula : Complex mixture of CnH2n+2 saturated hydrocarbons
Appearance : Clear, colorless, transparent liquid
Odor : Odorless
pH (1% solution) : Not Applicable (non-aqueous ingredient)
Solubility : Insoluble in water; miscible with oils, waxes, and silicones
Specific Gravity : 0.820 – 0.880 g/cm³ (varies by viscosity grade)
Flash Point : Above 120°C (varies by viscosity grade; verify with supplier)
HLB Value : Not Applicable
Recommended Use Level : 1% – 30% depending on application type
Type : Occlusive emollient, skin protectant, carrier
Shelf Life : Up to 5 years when stored in a cool, dry place away from light

Skincare (Creams, Serums, Lotions) ★★★★★
White Mineral Oil is an ideal emollient base for moisturizing creams, barrier lotions, and protective skin formulas. Use at 5% to 20% in emulsions for a smooth, protective finish with excellent moisture retention.

Haircare (Shampoo, Conditioner, Masks) ★★★★☆
It conditions and adds shine to hair while reducing frizz and improving manageability in leave-on treatments. Use at 2% to 10% in hair oils, conditioning serums, and deep conditioning masks.

Soap Making (Cold Process, Melt and Pour) ★★☆☆☆
White Mineral Oil does not saponify with lye and is not recommended as a primary oil in cold process soap. It can be incorporated at up to 5% in melt-and-pour soap bases as a conditioning additive only.

Body Care (Scrubs, Butters, Balms) ★★★★★
It performs excellently in anhydrous body butters, lip balms, and healing salves as a stable emollient and carrier. Use at 10% to 30% in balm and ointment formulas for a rich, protective skin feel.

Functional Cosmetics (Deodorants, Sunscreen, Baby Care) ★★★★☆
White Mineral Oil is a classic carrier in baby oil formulas and is valued for its safety profile in infant skin care. Use at 5% to 15% in baby lotions and barrier creams, or as the primary carrier at 90%+ in pure baby oil blends.

When I work with White Mineral Oil professionally, I treat it as a barrier anchor and texture modifier rather than a passive filler. At higher concentrations in ointments and intensive barrier products, it delivers moisture occlusion that most plant-based oils cannot match in terms of longevity and stability. I blend it strategically with lighter emollients to engineer the skin feel — pairing it with Isopropyl Myristate at 70:20 in an anhydrous base produces a noticeably less greasy result while preserving the full barrier effect. For premium formulas, blending it with a lightweight silicone at 60:40 creates a sophisticated, slip-rich texture that reads as cosmetically advanced.

ADVANCED TIP: To formulate a professional-grade baby barrier cream, combine White Mineral Oil at 20%, Petrolatum at 15%, Zinc Oxide at 10%, and Beeswax at 5% in a fully anhydrous base. Melt the wax components together at 75°C, remove from heat, blend in the mineral oil, then fold in pre-dispersed Zinc Oxide with thorough milling to achieve uniform, streak-free pigment distribution. This delivers pharmaceutical-grade occlusion suitable for diaper rash prevention and compromised skin barrier repair.

Normal Skin : ★★★★★ — Delivers smooth, comfortable moisture retention without disrupting the skin's natural balance.
Dry Skin : ★★★★★ — Highly effective for dry, cracked, or dehydrated skin due to its powerful occlusive barrier action.
Oily Skin : ★★☆☆☆ — Its occlusive film can feel heavy and may exacerbate congestion or discomfort in oily skin types.
Combination : ★★★☆☆ — Works well on dry zones but should be kept at lower concentrations to avoid overloading oily areas.
Sensitive Skin : ★★★★★ — One of the lowest allergen-risk cosmetic ingredients known, making it ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Mature Skin : ★★★★★ — Excellent for mature skin, visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines through sustained moisture occlusion.
Acne-Prone : ★★☆☆☆ — Its occlusive nature may trap sebum and contribute to congestion in actively acne-prone skin at higher concentrations.

CONCEPT 1: Classic Baby Oil
Usage Level : 95%
Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Light Fragrance Oil, Lavender Essential Oil
Result : A gentle, ultra-moisturizing baby oil with a silky finish ideal for infant massage and daily skin softening.

CONCEPT 2: Intensive Barrier Repair Cream
Usage Level : 15%
Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, Shea Butter, Emulsifying Wax NF, Allantoin
Result : A rich, occlusive barrier cream that seals in deep moisture and soothes severely dry or compromised skin.

CONCEPT 3: Glossy Hair Finishing Serum
Usage Level : 40%
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone 350, Argan Oil, Tocopherol, Fragrance
Result : A high-shine hair serum that eliminates frizz, adds brilliant gloss, and provides a lightweight protective coating.

INCI Declared : Yes — must be declared on all cosmetic product labels as Paraffinum Liquidum
EU Cosmetics Reg : Permitted — cosmetic-grade Paraffinum Liquidum is approved for use; MOSH/MOAH purity standards apply; verify grade compliance with your supplier
Rinse-Off Limit : No limit established for cosmetic-grade Paraffinum Liquidum
Leave-On Limit : No limit established for cosmetic-grade Paraffinum Liquidum
Allergen Alert : No — extremely low allergen potential; considered one of the safest cosmetic emollients available
Skin Safety : Safe at recommended levels when cosmetic-grade purity is confirmed via Certificate of Analysis
Eye Area Use : Use with caution — safe in eye-area formulas at low concentrations; avoid direct eye contact
Ingestion : Not for internal use
Pregnancy Use : Safe for topical cosmetic use; consult physician for therapeutic or high-concentration applications
Child Safety : Safe for infant and child use in cosmetic-grade formulations; foundational ingredient in baby care products
Ventilation : Not required under standard cosmetic handling and processing conditions
Storage : Cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources
Container : HDPE or PET containers preferred; avoid reactive metals and unsealed containers

⚠️ Always use only cosmetic-grade or pharmaceutical-grade Paraffinum Liquidum. Industrial-grade mineral oils may contain elevated MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) levels that do not meet cosmetic safety standards. Request a Certificate of Analysis confirming compliance with cosmetic purity specifications from your supplier before formulating.

Working pH Range : Not Applicable — non-aqueous; stable across all cosmetic pH ranges when incorporated into emulsions
Heat Stability : Stable up to 150°C; safely processed in the hot oil phase of emulsions and anhydrous formulas
Freeze-Thaw Stable : Yes
Emulsion Type : Both O/W and W/O — compatible with both emulsion systems when paired with appropriate emulsifiers
Emulsification Phase: Hot phase
Compatible With : Petrolatum, beeswax, plant butters, silicones, carrier oils, fat-soluble vitamins, emulsifying waxes
Incompatible With : Strong oxidizing agents; requires emulsifier for stable incorporation into aqueous systems
Oxidation Risk : Low — inherently excellent oxidative stability; antioxidant addition is generally not required
Discoloration Risk : None — remains colorless and visually stable under normal storage and formulation conditions
Formulation Notes : White Mineral Oil is one of the most processing-friendly cosmetic raw materials available. Always incorporate it into the oil phase before emulsification; no special handling restrictions apply under standard cosmetic processing conditions.

Q: Is White Mineral Oil safe to use on skin?
A: Yes. Cosmetic-grade White Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum) has one of the longest and most well-documented safety records in cosmetic formulation and is approved for use in skincare, baby care, and pharmaceutical products worldwide. Always confirm you are using cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade, not technical or industrial grade.

Q: Does White Mineral Oil clog pores?
A: At typical cosmetic concentrations, cosmetic-grade Paraffinum Liquidum has a very low comedogenic profile and is not considered a significant pore-clogging ingredient for most skin types. Those with severely oily or acne-prone skin may prefer lighter, non-occlusive emollients for daily facial use.

Q: What is the difference between light and heavy mineral oil?
A: The distinction is viscosity — light mineral oil is thinner and less greasy, making it preferred in serums, hair oils, and lightweight lotions, while heavy mineral oil is more viscous and better suited to ointments, barrier creams, and pharmaceutical applications. Both carry the same INCI name, Paraffinum Liquidum, and should be selected based on the desired texture of the finished product.

Q: At what percentage should I use White Mineral Oil in a moisturizer?
A: For standard moisturizing creams and lotions, a working range of 5% to 15% delivers an effective emollient effect with good skin feel. For intensive barrier creams and ointments, you can increase this to 20% to 30%, and in classic baby oil formulas it is commonly used as the primary carrier at 90% to 98%.

Q: How does White Mineral Oil compare to Jojoba Oil as a cosmetic emollient?
A: White Mineral Oil is a petroleum-derived occlusive emollient that works by forming a surface film to prevent water loss, while Jojoba Oil is a plant-derived liquid wax ester that closely mimics skin sebum and absorbs more readily. Mineral oil offers superior stability, a significantly longer shelf life, and considerably lower cost, while Jojoba delivers a lighter, more skin-integrated feel preferred in premium natural and organic formulations.

Blending and evaluation

Begin with a small weighed trial of White Mineral Oil and evaluate it at several concentrations. Compare the fresh blend with samples rested for 24 hours and several days, because the balance, diffusion and dry-down can change as the formula integrates. Test on the appropriate medium, such as blotter, fabric, skin-safe finished base or home-fragrance system.

Product compatibility

Oil-soluble materials do not automatically disperse in water-based products. Use a suitable fragrance, carrier, solubilizer or emulsifying system and confirm stability in the complete formula. Check for cloudiness, separation, discoloration, odor change and packaging interaction before commercial production.

Storage and responsible use

Keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry and shaded location. Minimize repeated exposure to heat, air and direct sunlight. Confirm current usage restrictions, allergen information and product-category limits before sale, and never assume that a level suitable for perfume is automatically suitable for soap, lotion, lip, hair or rinse-off products.