Revitalize4Life

Mineral oil is a common petroleum derivative that is colorless and odorless.  It is a widely used ingredient that is used in the cosmetic industry, personal care products and in baby products.  But where did it come from? Basically it is refined crude oil petrochemicals.  Hey, this is the same stuff you put in your car engine! It is a known carcinogen.  As a matter of fact, John Hopkins University named mineral oil in cosmetics and moisturizers as the number two cause of aging! The first being direct exposure to the sun.The result is premature aging and increased health risks. 98% of personal care products sold in the United States contain mineral oil and other petrochemicals. Why? Because it is cheap and does not spoil easily.  The FDA does not regulate this industry so it truly is “buyer beware”.

But here’s the scary part, you may not be able to find mineral oil on your label because it has hundreds of different names. Mineral oil forms a fine film on the surface of your skin that can not be absorbed  because its molecular structure is too big to be absorbed. It would be like wrapping your skin in Saran wrap! Therefore, it blocks the pores and the skin’s natural ability to breathe, which is what the skin is supposed to do.  It can then get clogged, trapping toxins inside and not allowing them to get to the surface to be eliminated. Our skin is a vital organ for maintaining temperature control as well.  So if your product contains mineral oil, the good ingredients will never be able to be absorbed into the skin where the vital moisture and vitamins that may be in the product will never be absorbed and used.  Ever use a lotion on your skin and it never really quite gets moisturized?  The mineral oil is practically stifling your skin causing things like irritation, clogged pores, acne, allergic reactions and dryness. It traps dirt, bacteria and blocks the absorption of vitamins/minerals/botanicals that may be in a product. Read the rest of this entry »