Petroleum on your skin: why you should avoid it in your cosmetics?

Did you know that many of the cosmetic products you use daily contain ingredients derived from petroleum? These components, although cheap and abundant, can have negative consequences for your health and for the planet.

What are petroleum derivatives and why are they in our cosmetics?

Petroleum derivatives are substances obtained from crude oil, such as mineral oil, petroleum jelly or paraffin. The cosmetics industry uses them widely because of their low cost and their ability to give products texture and softness. However, their indiscriminate use can have harmful effects on your body.

Why are petroleum derivatives harmful to the skin?

- They clog pores: by forming a film over the skin, they prevent it from breathing and from eliminating toxins naturally.
- They dehydrate the skin: instead of hydrating, these ingredients draw moisture from the skin, leaving it dry and flaky.
- They alter the skin barrier: in the long term, they can weaken the protective barrier, making the skin more prone to irritation and allergies.

How to identify petroleum derivatives on labels?

On labels, these substances appear as: mineral oil, paraffinum, paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum.
Other petroleum derivatives include microcrystalline wax, ozokerite, ceresin, vaseline, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, paraffin, acrylates, acrylamides.

What alternatives exist?

If you care about your skin’s health, choose natural and organic cosmetics that use plant oils as their base (almond, avocado, olive, etc.). These oils are compatible with the skin’s natural structure, nourish it deeply and protect it against external agents.

Remember! Reading labels is essential to choose cosmetics that respect your skin and your health.