What is johnsons baby oil made of

People also use baby oil on many other parts of the body , in their hair , and as lube. According to a limited body of research, baby oil may have the ability to plump and soften skin. Baby oil is formulated to be hypoallergenic and is free of parabens , phthalates, and dyes. According to what research exists, baby oil is safe for your skin, including the skin on your face. So if you have a dry-to-normal skin type, you can use baby oil to moisturize your face.

One of them was mineral oil, a main ingredient in baby oil. Compared with ethanol, glycerin, and water, water and baby oil appeared to have the biggest moisturizing effect of all the ingredients when applied to skin.

The scientists found that mineral oil helped plump up the skin, giving a more hydrated appearance. Yet, the same research that found baby oil to be an effective moisturizer suggests that this claim is likely true. Most scars and stretch marks are depressed into the skin. Applying baby oil may plump up the skin in these areas, reducing the overall appearance of scars and stretch marks.

An older study found that the effects of baby oil wear off within 48 hours of application. So, to keep skin looking moisturized and plump, reapplication is necessary. Researchers have found some evidence that baby oil can help relieve skin discomfort, including that associated with dry skin and conditions like psoriasis. According to a study of people going through hemodialysis, baby oil helped significantly reduce itchiness when massaged into the itchy part of the body for at least 15 minutes per day for 3 weeks.

You can apply baby oil to your face any time of day or night to wake up with plumper, more supple skin. Most claims about baby oil, other than its moisturizing and plumping abilities, are unproven. While many people can apply baby oil to their face without increasing their risk of acne, you should avoid using it if you have acne-prone skin.

However, many people do this anecdotally. However, regular use of baby oil may keep your skin moisturized and more supple, making shaving easier. Baby oil is generally safe to use. Yet there are a few side effects to be aware of if you plan to use it on your face. These possible side effects include:. According to research , an allergic reaction to mineral oil, a common ingredient in baby oil, is very rare. However, if you have sensitive skin and are worried you might react, consider applying a small amount to another less visible part of your body.

Wait for 24 hours to see if you have a reaction. Baby oil is designed to be noncomedogenic. Baby oil forms a barrier over your skin. So on a hot day, it can trap too much moisture. This makes it harder for you to sweat as your body naturally tries to cool off. List of Partners vendors. Baby oil is one of those products so ubiquitous in modern life that most people don't stop to think about what it actually is.

Nevertheless, some claim baby oil is the best body moisturizer out there. Others say it's a dangerous product that you should steer clear of—an unsettling notion, given that baby oil is meant for the tender skin of babies.

That alone makes baby oil worth a second look. Baby oil is commonly used and really easily accessible; it lines the baby care aisles in most drug, department, and grocery stores.

Go to any store that sells beauty products or home goods, and you'll probably find it. Mineral oil is a highly purified liquid derived from petroleum. It is widely used in cosmetics products to moisturize and hydrate skin. But even "mineral oil" is a nondescript term. We'll get more into that in a second, but here's what mineral oil actually does: Mineral oil is an inert substance, which means it doesn't change or react with other substances that it comes in contact with.

It's generally considered to be noncomedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores; instead, it actually sits on top of your skin and creates a barrier for your skin so as to not lose moisture. When applied, it'll soothe your skin and will help your skin retain moisture.

So why doesn't everyone use baby oil all the time? Mostly because mineral oil can be a controversial skin care ingredient, and many people avoid using it. According to many others, there's nothing wrong with using mineral oil. And while it would be easier just to say mineral oil is good or bad, it turns out both groups of people are right.

It can be great for your skin, but it's not always, and there are plenty of people who avoid it, too. We decided to reach out to two skincare experts in order to get to the bottom of how, exactly, we're supposed to feel about mineral oil. The first, celebrity dermatologist Dr. Shari Sperling , was relatively neutral on its supposed toxicity:. However, I only recommend it for certain uses. Therefore, it can be used for treating scalp dandruff, cradle cap, and scalp psoriasis, dry skin, burns, etc.

So while she's into mineral oil in theory, she believes it should only be used in certain situations. This makes sense—while it usually doesn't clog pores, some people find it irritates their skin and worsens their acne. But Sperling doesn't totally warn against it, she just takes it case-by-case.

First off, mineral oil is distilled from crude oil, which is not only gross to consider applying to your skin, and harmful to the planet, but it's also known to congest and irritate many skin types. Another reason mineral oil is restricted from Follain is due to the fact that it can be contaminated with potentially carcinogenic PAHs.

Most cosmetic grade mineral oil removes the PAHs, but because there is virtually no regulation of the beauty industry, this means that companies aren't readily disclosing details about their mineral oil, so customers unfortunately need to assume it could be contaminated.

So, while mineral oil is often highly refined and purified—therefore in its best form completely safe to use on your skin—you're never totally sure what you're getting when you choose to use it, which is why it's such a controversial ingredient.

Plenty of brands have more than one ingredient supplier for things like mineral oil, so even at a brand level, there are concerns that the toxicity of one bottle might not be the same as another.

Ultimately, it comes down to who you are, what your skin concerns are, and the amount of risk you are comfortable taking. If you do a little Google search you'll find horror stories and scary information about mineral oil page after page. Claims include that mineral oil clogs pores, causes premature aging, etc. But you'll also find plenty of sites debunking claims like that.

Like with everything else on the internet, you just need to be sure to do your own research so you know the actual risks you're taking. If you do a little digging online, you'll find that consumers who choose to use it are often pretty happy using baby oil. It has uses other than just as a moisturizer—it can be used as a make-up remover, to smooth hair, to clean and condition make-up brushes, and soften cracked heels.