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Mineral Oil Facts
mineral oil and health
Date: 10/10/2005 5:17:41 PM ( 18 y ) ... viewed 3800 times Mineral Oil Facts
facts on mineral oil
Mineral oil is a common ingredient in many household products. It is found in lotions, soaps, cosmetics and motor oil. Mineral oil is a clear liquid oil with no scent and will not spoil. It is produced as a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. Mineral oil is the leftover liquid, and because it is abundant, it is very inexpensive. In fact, it is more expensive to dispose of mineral oil than to purchase it.
Mineral oil is the main ingredient in many baby care items as well. Baby Oil, Vaseline® (petroleum jelly), baby wash liquid soap and baby lotions all contain mineral oil as a key ingredient. As mentioned above, manufacturers can buy it very inexpensively and it will not spoil.
The problem is that mineral oil is foreign to the human body and has many harmful effects, especially on infants. Mineral oil acts as a thin plastic layer on the skin. It is difficult to absorb and clogs the pores, which slows the skin's ability to eliminate toxins. Remember, the skin is the body's largest organ and plays an important role in maintaining overall health!
Once the oil is absorbed, it is broken down by the liver. But because it is an unnatural product, the liver must work extra hard to remove it from the body. And once the oil is present in the intestinal tract, it will absorb all of the fat-soluble vitamins found there. It is essentially stealing important vitamins from the body, which the body will not be able to replace. This can eventually lead to nutritional deficiencies. Studies have also shown forms of pneumonia caused by mineral oil decreasing lung function, known as lipoid pneumonia. Because of these dangers, the medical community has condemned the use of mineral oil taken orally or as in ingredient in medications.
Given these harmful effects, when caring for babies, it is best to use all natural products. Many caretakers know that babies love to put their hands in their mouths. This also means that whatever is on their hands is also going in their mouth, and into their bodies. It is best not to chance your baby's health with mineral oil and petroleum-based products.
This is especially true for infant massage. Use of an all-natural, vegetable or fruit-based, unscented oil is best. Natural oils are easily absorbed and digested by the body. And oils with added vitamin E will actually benefit the skin and act as an antioxidant. It is also best to avoid scented and aromatherapy products until your baby is one year old. Fragrances and essential oils can be highly allergenic and cause rashes. And scented oil during a massage will create sensory confusion for the baby, prohibiting many benefits of the massage.
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