DO YOU EAT OIL?! (Petroleum derivatives in cosmetics)

The average woman is said to eat 21.9 grams of lip balm annually ( Source ). Regular application of lip balms and lipsticks is a constant for many women. By drinking, eating and moisturizing the lips, part of the lip balms are introduced into the body. And where is the connection between lip balms and oil? Most of these contain oil derivatives, which are by-products of oil production.

What are petroleum products? Petroleum derivatives, also known as petrochemicals, are chemical products obtained from petroleum through refining. These include petroleum jelly, kerosene, paraffin, mineral oil and others.

Why are they used in cosmetics? Because of their occlusive action, they prevent water from evaporating from the skin and protect it from the intrusion of microbes and external influences. In addition, they are cheap and do not spoil, they are odorless, colorless and tasteless. They also contribute to a better texture of the product.

When reading English articles, you quickly come across the information that petroleum derivatives contain PAH . The latter are potentially carcinogenic, are associated with breast cancer, are bioaccumulative (accumulate in the body) and cause endocrine disorders. But before I scare you, let me say that the content of the latter in cosmetic products is strictly controlled and limited in Europe. In America, the restrictions are less strict and most of the articles that talk about PAHs in cosmetics come from there. With us, petroleum derivatives go through multiple cleaning processes to get rid of all potentially dangerous substances.

What if we consume petroleum products? The values ​​of petroleum derivatives that we consume on a daily basis while wearing lip balms are below the dangerous limit, so this does not pose any health risk.

However, they are still not the best ingredients for cosmetic products. Petroleum derivatives are hydrophobic and do not cross the skin barrier. As a result, they remain on the surface of the skin, where they do not nourish the skin, but only close and clog the pores, which can lead to the formation of acne. In addition, they prevent the passage of water into and out of the skin, and also prevent the excretion of toxins from the skin. With daily application, we eventually "spoil" the skin. The skin gets used to constant protection against moisture loss, but when we stop using a product with petroleum derivatives, the skin loses even more moisture than before using them. Thus, we end up with skin that is even more dried out than before.

How to check if your conditioner contains petroleum products? Look if any of the following are written among the ingredients: Vaselinum, Petroleum, MOAH or MOSH, Paraffinum Liquidum, Paraffin, Microcrystalline wax, PEG, PPG, Ozokerite, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Dioxane, Ceresin.

What can you use instead of cosmetics with petroleum products? Vegetable oils and butters are a good substitute. Natural lip balm without petroleum products can be found here:

By using natural cosmetics, you avoid the use of petroleum derivatives, which are harmful to the environment, and your skin will also thank you.