Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealth BenefitsSide Effects and PrecautionsDosage and PreparationGuide to Choosing
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Health Benefits
Side Effects and Precautions
Dosage and Preparation
Guide to Choosing
Mineral oil is an over-the-counter chemical substance made from naturally occurring crude petroleum oil. It is a colorless, transparent, oily liquid that is odorless and tasteless.
The uses for mineral oil are many: It is touted for its health benefits, and it is considered a home remedy for a variety of ailments, fromdry skintoconstipation. Mineral oil is generally considered safe for use in food additives, medical products, cosmetics, and personal care products.
This article discusses the possible uses for mineral oil along with potential, benefits, side effects, and guidelines for using it topically, orally, and rectally.
Also Known As
Mineral oils are also called:
Health Benefits of Mineral Oil
Mineral oils are commonly used and have various health benefits, such as:
Does the Federal Drug Administration Regulate Mineral Oil?The Food and Drug Administration permits the use of mineral oil as an active ingredient in some over-the-counter drug product categories, including drugs administered in the rectum, skin protectants, and drugs for dry eyes. However, there’s emerging concern about cancer risk and how certain mineral oil chemicals can accumulate in fat tissue, thelymph nodes,spleen, and liver.
Does the Federal Drug Administration Regulate Mineral Oil?
The Food and Drug Administration permits the use of mineral oil as an active ingredient in some over-the-counter drug product categories, including drugs administered in the rectum, skin protectants, and drugs for dry eyes. However, there’s emerging concern about cancer risk and how certain mineral oil chemicals can accumulate in fat tissue, thelymph nodes,spleen, and liver.
Dry Skin
People choose mineral oil because of its potent moisturizing and skin-softening effects. Many skin products contain mineral oils because they’re such effective moisturizers.
If you havexerosis, or very dry skin, mineral oil can help.Mineral oils create a barrier on the skin that seals in moisture and reduces trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), which occurs when water evaporates through the skin. This is why they work best after a bath or shower when the skin is damp.
The feet are some of the driest parts of our bodies. When yourfeet are dry and cracked, applying mineral oil with some water before bed may do wonders to make them soft again. Try covering your feet with socks to help lock in more moisture and prevent your sheets from becoming greasy.
Mineral oil isnoncomedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores. Mineral oil doesn’t penetrate the deeper layers of your skin and is considered non-allergenic.
Causes of Dry Skin
Constipation
Mineral oil is a lubricant and a laxative. Taking mineral oil orally or using it as an enema can help ease acuteconstipation. Mineral oil is different from a stool softener, which adds moisture to stools to make them easier to pass. Instead, mineral oilworks as a laxativeto induce a bowel movement.
It can take up to eight hours to have a bowel movement, so keep the time frame in mind when taking mineral oil.
Eczema
If your skin is irritated and itchy fromeczema,mineral oil may be a great soothing and moisturizing agent. Mineral oil is one of the best topical products for eczema.Ointments made from mineral oil have the highest oil content, so they typically don’t burn sensitive skin.
Ear Wax Removal
You cansafely remove ear waxbuildup with mineral oil. Mineral oil helps dissolve ear wax and moisturizes the ear canal, making it easier for the wax to dislodge. You can put several drops of mineral oil inside the ear canal with a dropper.
Check with your healthcare provider first if you wear hearing aids or have had eardrum perforations before trying to remove ear wax at home.
Cradle Cap and Adult Dandruff
If you are using mineral oil for adultdandruff, use the same steps to dislodge your flakes. Keep in mind that mineral oil can build up and leave a film on the hair, though.
Possible Side Effects and Precautions
Mineral oil is generally considered safe. When used topically, it rests primarily on the upper skin layers, so there is little risk of systemic (full body) side effects. But there are some reactions to watch for with other uses.
Oral
Enema
Mineral oil-based enemas (Fleet) can cause skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; severe diarrhea; or difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.Report any of these side effects immediately to your healthcare provider.
Other side effects include:
Topical
Cosmetic products containing mineral oil don’t present a risk to your health under normal use conditions. However, mineral oil can make you susceptible to increased ultraviolet (UV) ray penetration, which is a risk for skin cancer.
One study of thousands of South Korean workers also found industrial mineral oil mist, a common occupational exposure, was linked to an increased risk of cancer (especially skin cancer) due to carcinogens found in the mist.
Constipation Oral Dosage
Children are more likely to inhale mineral oil because of their young age, increasing the risk of pneumonia. These are the recommended dosages for oral administration for constipation:
Rectal Dosage (Rectal Enema)
These dosages are recommended for constipation, administered via rectal enema:
Maximum Dosage
Do not exceed these dosages of mineral oil:
You can try a few drops of mineral oil to soften and remove ear wax, but be aware that healthcare providers don’t advise home remedies for impacted ear wax.If you do want to use mineral oil for either adults or children:
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience ear pain,drainage from the ear, a fever with your symptoms, orhearing loss.
What to Look For When Buying Mineral Oil
Summary
The uses of mineral oil include home remedies for treating skin conditions, constipation, and more. It’s often used to soften and remove ear wax and is generally safe to use.
Let your healthcare provider know, though, if you are using mineral oil for health purposes. It’s not for everyone; pregnant people, for example, should avoid mineral oil. And it can lead to unintended consequences like bowel damage when used too long for constipation. Be sure the product and dosage you use won’t cause complications or drug interactions.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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