What is the difference between mineral oil and vegetable oil in skin care products?

Mineral oil and vegetable oil are both common ingredients in skin care products, and the content in skin care products is not low. So why do they have two different names since they are both oils? Are there any differences in their effects and functions? Let’s take a look.

What is the difference between mineral oil and vegetable oil in skin care products?

1. Plant oils can penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and interact with the molecules in the skin to increase moisture. Mineral oil does not penetrate the outermost layer of the skin and is inert, meaning it does not interact with skin molecules. Instead, it hydrates only by creating a barrier on the surface of the formula that holds moisture inside the skin.

2. Vegetable oils contain antioxidants (molecules that prevent harmful molecules from oxidizing and damaging cells), while mineral oils do not. Some plant oils also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, the plant oils can penetrate the skin. Mineral oil contains no antioxidants and has no antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties.

Which is better in skin care products: mineral oil or vegetable oil?

Compared with vegetable oil, mineral oil is more stable and less allergenic, so mineral oil is better.

Four benefits of mineral oil

1. Stability. Compared with vegetable oils that are easily oxidized, mineral oil has excellent stability, is not easily affected by other physical and chemical factors, and will not denature. Therefore, mineral oil can be easily mixed with other substances to form a stable mixture; at the same time, it will not affect the efficacy of other ingredients in skin care products.

2. Skin-friendly. Mineral oil adheres to the skin very well, feels great on the skin, and is waterproof and durable, so it is often added to lipstick, foundation, and waterproof sunscreen products.

3. Unparalleled closure. Occlusiveness is an important indicator of moisturizing, and mineral oil can form an isolation film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. At the same time, mineral oil can also penetrate into the gaps between cracked keratin cells in the skin, moisturizing the skin and promoting hydration of the skin. Take, for example, Vaseline. Anyone who cares about lip care knows the name of Vaseline. As a mineral oil, Vaseline has extremely high occlusive properties and can reduce skin moisture loss by up to 95%.

4. Non-allergenic. Its mineral oil is pure and simple in texture, does not contain protein or other biological components, and is not easy to cause irritation to the skin.

The above is about the difference between mineral oil and vegetable oil in skin care products, and which ingredient is better. I hope the above content is helpful to you.