Mineral Oil and Petrolatum

What It Is

Mineral oil and petrolatum are both derived from petroleum. Mineral oil is a clear liquid mixture of refined hydrocarbons (white mineral oil is commonly listed under CAS 8042-47-5), while petrolatum, also called petroleum jelly, is a semi-solid mixture (commonly CAS 8009-03-8). Both are produced by refining and purifying fractions left from crude-oil distillation.

Common Uses

These ingredients are used mainly as emollients, lubricants, and moisture barriers. In personal care they appear in lotions, ointments, baby oils, and lip products, and petrolatum is a common skin protectant. In cleaning and household contexts, mineral oil is sometimes used to condition wood or stainless steel. They are valued for being stable, inexpensive, and largely odorless.

How It Works

Mineral oil and petrolatum work physically rather than chemically. Because they are not water-soluble, they form an occlusive layer on a surface that slows the loss of moisture and adds slip or shine. Petrolatum's semi-solid texture makes it a durable barrier, while liquid mineral oil spreads more easily. Their behavior depends strongly on refining grade: highly refined grades are consistent and purified, whereas less-refined petroleum fractions contain a wider mix of hydrocarbons. That distinction is the one regulators draw most sharply.

Safety and Regulation

Refining grade drives how these ingredients are regulated. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies untreated and mildly treated mineral oils as Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) but highly refined mineral oils as Group 3 (not classifiable), reflecting the removal of certain impurities during refining. The U.S. FDA permits highly refined (white) mineral oil and petrolatum in specified food and drug uses, and lists petrolatum as an approved over-the-counter skin protectant. The European Union's Cosmetics Regulation permits these ingredients when the full refining history is known and the source is not classified as carcinogenic.

Why Natural Flower Power Does Not Use It

We do not use mineral oil or petrolatum. Our cleaning formulas are built on plant-derived ingredients, and we have made them in-house since 2012. We include this reference because the petroleum-derived versus plant-derived distinction is one of the most common questions we hear, and the refining-grade context is often missing from that conversation.

Related Ingredients

For a plant-derived point of comparison, see vegetable glycerine, and for the broader contrast read plant-derived vs conventional cleaners.

Sources

• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). "Mineral Oils, Untreated or Mildly Treated" and "Mineral Oils, Highly Refined." Monographs.
• U.S. FDA. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (mineral oil and petrolatum food and drug uses; skin protectant drug products).
• European Commission. Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng): "Paraffinum Liquidum" and "Petrolatum." Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
• PubChem, National Library of Medicine (NIH). "Petrolatum" and "Mineral oil."