Leaded or Unleaded? Regular or Premium?

Health Tips

By Archie Armada

Asphalt, benzine, naptha, motor oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, paraffin, petrolatum, petroleum jellly, mineral oil… what do they have in common? They are all petroleum derivatives.

Did you know that mineral oil which is found in more than 90% of skin care products sold in the market is a by-product of petroleum, that is obtained after the process of fractional distillation is complete? Mineral oil is often described as a distillate of petroleum that is free flowing and clear as water. This distillate is often used in a variety of home appliances, cosmetics, lubrication oils, skin care lotions, different types of paints and polishes, soaps and even baby care products.

And did you know that baby oil is just a mineral oil with fragrance? Yes, the same stuff you put in your car engine! Mineral oil has absolutely no nutritional value. It is a known carcinogen (cancer causing agent) and yet the cosmetic industry still uses them in lip gloss, lotions, creams, ointments, balms, shampoos, etc. And sadly, they are approved and labeled healthy by the FDA.

Mineral oil or in form of petroleum jelly can make the skin look and feel good. However, the smoothness and softness of the skin may not last for long. Many studies show that mineral oil dries the skin, block pores and prevents skin from breathing and excreting toxins. But don’t get me wrong here, this does not mean that mineral oil or petroleum jelly do not have advantages of their own. It can be used for shining leather, treating broken wood, pressing combs, cleaning tools and appliances, etc.

A study released by the Cancer Prevention Coalition in June 2002, contained the following, “Cancer and health experts just concluded reviews that indicate mainstream cosmetics and personal hygiene products including lotions, soaps and shampoos, pose the highest risk exposures to the general public. This risk is higher than smoking.”

From the Journal of the American Medical Association, March 2001. In a study of environmental toxins found in the blood and urine, there are surprisingly high amounts of toxic chemicals found in everyday products like perfume, soaps and cosmetics in the people tested.

But why do cosmetic manufactures continue to use mineral oil in their products? The obvious answer is, mineral oil is just a by-product and is of virtually no value to the oil refinery, so it is sold at very reasonable prices.

So, the next time you buy your skin care products from your favorite pharmacy or department store, don’t forget to ask the pharmacist or the sales clerk if the base mineral oil used in the product is…. Leaded or Unleaded? Regular or Premium?

Better yet try something natural fro Jurlique or AMU’IN.