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MINERAL OIL
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Question
I have heard that mineral oil causes cancer ... is this true?

What It Is
Mineral Oil is a mixture of refined liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. It is colorless, transparent, odorless and tasteless. It is an occlusive oil, which means when used in skin care formulations it creates a protective barrier or sets on the surface. In poorly refined, high concentrations mineral oil may become comedigenic, meaning it can clog pores.

Why It’s NOT Included in Arbonne Products
The answer lies in understanding of the skin’s function. As one of the body’s largest organs, its job is to protect the body against: Injury, heat and light radiation, the penetration of chemical agents and the invasion of microbes and microorganisms. The skin also acts as atemperature regulator, enabling the body to adapt to different ambient temperatures and atmospheric conditions by regulating moisture loss.

Staying consistent with the Arbonne product philosophy of pure, safe and beneficial, we choose not to use mineral because we believe it is not beneficial for daily skin care use.We believe its occlusive properties may be disruptive to the normal skin functions as outlinedabove. We also believe that because it is occlusive, it is disruptive to advanced delivery systems in which the objective is to send beneficial ingredients to target sites and keep it there so it can provide maximum benefit while avoiding reactions.

Also, depending on the level of refinement, mineral oil can also be defined as comedogenic, which means it can clog pores and induce acne lesions or comedones.
Instead of mineral oil, we choose to use natural oils that have moisturizing and conditioning properties such as jojoba, almond and wheat germ that do not have extreme occlusive properties, and are not known comedogenic ingredients.

The Facts
Unsubstantiated claims regarding mineral oil are often found on the Internet and in cosmetic marketing propaganda including it: Being carcinogenic, leeching vitamins and minerals from the skin and causing dehydration. Mineral Oil is harmless when used for intended purposes.

Mineral oil is inexpensive, rarely causes allergic reactions and is widely used in the cosmetic industry. Mineral oil can offer positive results when used for specific medical conditions where setting up a temporary protective barrier to aid skin repair is necessary. Examples of conditions where a protective barrier is necessary are include laser surgery, burns and skin grafting.

For More Information
Please refer to the following:
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board @ www.cir-safety.org
Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association @ www.ctfa.org
U.S. Food and Drug Administration @ www.fda.gov

Cosmetics-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest,
most nonirritating moisturizing ingredients ever found (Sources:
Cosmetics & Toiletries, January 2001, page 79; and Cosmetic
Dermatology, September 2000, pages 44–46).

Moreover, mineral oil and petrolatum are known to be efficacious in
wound healing, and are also considered to be among the most effective
moisturizing ingredients available (Source: Cosmetics & Toiletries,
February 1998, pages 33–40).

There are different grades of mineral oil, ranging from industrial to
cosmetic. The industrial grade is used as a lubricant for machines, and
the cosmetic grade is safe, pure and non-comedogenic.&n bsp;?


Mineral oil creates an occlusive barrier on the skin that holds in natural
moisture. Dermatologic research proves mineral oil to be one of the best
moisturizing agents. On a scale rating the comedogenic and irritant
potential, with 5 being the most pore clogging and 0 being the least,
mineral oil comes in at 0.

American Academy of Dermatology
“The most important winter skin care tip that dermatologists give patients
is to moisturize properly,” said Dr. Baumann. “When choosing a
moisturizer, check product labels and look for lotions and creams
containing any of the following ingredients: petrolatum; mineral oil;
linoleic acid; ceramides; dimethicone; or glycerin.” For best results, she
recommends applying moisturizers to the skin within three minutes of
stepping out of the shower or bath. This will help trap the water in the
upper layers of the skin and decrease dryness and itching.

Mineral oil as it is used in cosmetic preparations is fine. Oils that also
add antioxidants as well as having the beneficial properties of mineral oil
are better.

USP

You can find positive and negative articles about anything and everything. As many positive mineral oil statements there are just as many negative ones. I think most of us with Arbonne inform everyone on what we believe and has been founded to be true about mineral oil, but more importantly the real truth is in the results!!! I have struggled with my skin for years doing everything I can think of from going to dermatoligists, to buying stuff off of infomercials/orhigh-priced cosmetic counters,to seeing an esthetician and the only thing that has actually worked to improve my skin is Arbonne! Whether it's mineral oil or not it is still the best product I've ever used! That's just my 2 cents worth.


LMichelle

One thing I have noticed in my own experience with skin care products is that the proucts containing mineral oil also contain delivery agents (like propylene glycol or other chemicals) in order for the product's ingredients to be absorbed into the skin (since mineral oil does create a barrier on top of the skin. Just my observation.


In any case, Jennifer posted the company's official position. We should not be scaring people by saying mineral oil causes cancer or wrinkles. People can do their own research andbelieve what they want.Like LisaMichelle mentioned - the information is out there, pros and cons.

I wonder why mineral oil is banned in most countries in Europe ? My theory is that there is no smoke without fire... the europeans are definitely some sassy looking women... Just because we are a rich country - it doesn't mean we know everything... Arbonne is the best thing I have ever used in my life (previously a MAC junky). My daughter has had excema for 13 yrs and Arbonne is the best thing for her too!!!!!!!!


Keri

Hello Keri,

Are you sure tht mineral oil has been banned in Europe? I could not find any
real information on that other than heresay. Thanks in advance for the
source.

USP

I am not going to argue about mineral oil. Since it was brought up in another post I thought it would be helpful to post the company position. Like has already been stated, there are articles &amp; dermatologists who support it &amp; there are just as many articles &amp; dermatologistswho do not. And in the company position it states that it can offer positive results in certain conditions.


Like with everything in life, you have to do your own research &amp; make up your mind on what you believe. This is just one of those topics where you can argue it until you are blue in the face &amp; you are not going to change the other person's view if they have made up their mind. So eventuallythose of us who differ are just going to have to agree to disagree. smileys/smiley1.gif

yes it is, I come from England and have done research by buying/investigating while visiting home!!! We are way too over-medicated and under-exercised in the U.S. and as for our kids...wow!!!!

yes Jennifer, you have made valid points- you can research and research the pros and cons of mineral oil and in the end it's all what you believe.


I do know that mineral oil is known to break down latex gloves so it's suggested to those who use latex gloves in their professions to not use lotions with a mineral oil or petroleum base. I couldn't find the exact "reg" to back this up, but I think this will do: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_tabl (http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&amp;p_id =21239) e=INTERPRETATIONS&amp;p_id=21239


One little experiment that may show you how mineral oil "sits" on your skin--rub a few drops of baby oil on your arm, then try to rub in a dab of any lotion. The lotion will not be absorbed into your skin, it will just get "pushed around" on top of your skin. That is why our products do not contain mineral oil as a base, because the beneficial ingredients won't be able to be absorbed into the skin. If you do this with Arbonne's Skin Conditioning Oil or our Baby Care Oil, a dab of our lotion will go right in. So you can see how Arbonne doesn't believe mineral oil to be beneficial to skin.

also, if you go to a tanning salon they do not want you to use mineral oil based products because it breaks down the acrylic of the tanning beds

As a scientist, this issue of mineral oil was interesting to me.
At my first Arbonne party, I was really UNimpressed with the creacker
test, because it is ridiculous. It only compares the effects of
oil and water, not mineral oil and botanical oil. And it compares
the effects on a carbohydrate-based cracker!! Not skin!



Anyway, I did some research. Plant based oils are composed of
fatty-acids. That means there is a fatty side to the molecule
that can interact with lipids (fats), and the other side interacts with
polar (water-like) substances. This is important because our
cells are have lipid (fatty) membranes, with water-like outsides.
In order for a molecule to actually penetrate the skin, it must be able
to interact with the polar outsides first, and then with the lipid
inner membrane space.



Mineral oil is lipid only, no fatty acid portion. That means,
mineral oil cannot penetrate the skin. It can stay on top of the
skin and as the one poster said, it is an occlusive oil that can keep
in natural oils. The problem is that this prevents the skin from
performing it's natural functions.



I have to say, though, that the best evidence that plant-based oils are
best for your skin is in use of the products. I am now so used to
my Arbonne products, that when I got a pedicure the other day, I
noticed all day how greasy my legs felt! I will be bringing my
own products for lotions next time.



Finally, I want to say that if you are happy with your mineral
oil-based products, use them and enjoy them. This is actually a
forum for Arbonne consultants to share ideas, etc. We love our
products and value the fact that they are plant-based.



Warmly,

-Beverly

Wow! Thanks Beverly!!


Being so new to skin care and Arbonne, I have been trying to sift through this issue. I want to be able to represent the products intelligently and honestly. I have found that it sometimes gets sticky when you point out how superior your product is than what they have been using previously. It can make some folks defensive. You don't want to make them feel silly or incompetent for having made that buying decision. My approach in business presentations/sales (regardless of the industry) is to first ask a lot ofquestions to determine their needs. Finding out what they are currently using, what they like and dislike about them are included in my many questions but Iuse that info to present a solution w/o actually comparing our products with theirs. I thenaccentuate the features and benefitsand whenever possible allow a test drive of the product for that firsthand experience. Edited by: Kiana's Mom

wow, thank you Beverly, you just scientifically explained why my experiment works! smileys/smiley1.gif


I'd love to hear from you, a scientist, why it's important to maintain a correct pH level for our skin. I have a pH pencil and there are several brands that pH level for the cleanser is at one end of spectrum and the toner is at the other, and they say it's pH balanced. But with Arbonne, we are pH correct, meaning that each of our products are where they are supposed to be- pH level of skin. What are the affects that using pH INcorrect products do to your skin? Thanks Hon!

Great information Beverly.

When I jined Nu Skin in 1991 (I resigned a couple of years ago), their big
selling point was the cold-pressed aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and sodium
PCA as ingredients, rather than petro oils to fill up the container.

I have come full-circle, from the mineral-oil-is-Satan-for-The-Skin, to
not believing all of the silliness porposed by over-zealous sales people
promoting a certain philosophy of skin care.

My whole point, which I believe is substaniated by credible sources is that
as mlm sales people, we owe it to ourselves and our company to make
sure the information we give out is correct information. Witness the
Oprah debacle as an example. Bummer for those who signed up just to
capitalize on the exposure, only to find out it was not currently in the
cards.

You owe getting it right to yourself, your recruits, your customers, your
company, and the industry as whole.

USP

My whole point, which I believe is substaniated by credible sources is that
as mlm sales people, we owe it to ourselves and our company to make
sure the information we give out is correct information. Witness the
Oprah debacle as an example. Bummer for those who signed up just to
capitalize on the exposure, only to find out it was not currently in the
cards.

You owe getting it right to yourself, your recruits, your customers, your
company, and the industry as whole.

USP


USP, thanks for stating your point. I never would've gotten that point from any of your posts I've readso it's good to know.


And I agree that it is vital that we give out information that is correct. And I think for the majority of people in MLM that is their intention. Though sometimes people can get excited &amp; put out information before they research it's validity. Which is obviously what happened with the Oprah thing. Shad has been on Oprah before with his other books. And apparentlyhemade the staementthatIF he goes on for this one he'd be sure to take her a big basket of our products. Some got overly excited &amp; didn't see the if. I'm not saying that it's ok but it happens, it's human nature. That's why the game "telephone" was always so fun. And if some people soley signed up for that one reason alone then that is too bad &amp; I am sorry that it turned out to not be the case currently. But they can still capitalize on the exposure of his book, he is a best selling author afterall. smileys/smiley1.gif


At any rate, hopefully everyone has learned to be a bit more careful with what they put out there as a result. We all make mistakes, it's how we deal with those mistakes that matter.

I haven't read the posts in a while due to going back to work(teaching). I have a great class this year with the exception of one little booger.


I'm confused. Is UltraSkinPro an Arbonne consultant?


Kris

Nope Kris, she isn't.


Sorry to hear you have a booger. smileys/smiley1.gif

Thanks, Jennifer! I didn't think so but wanted to make sure.


Kris

I KNEW I felt my ears burning! Actually I was in Arbonne, and had a really
good experience with the company. Very few companies in NWM get my
"good, ethical company" vote, and Arbonne is one of them. It just makes me
crazy to hear (or read) things get perpetuated, and recited by rote, and when
asked for substantiation...UP come the defenses. I am tryng to get people to
really think about what they are saying and promoting. But just so you
know, I said the exact same things when I was an Arbonne consultant that I
have said in this thread.

USP

USP, I think Arbonne would agree with you. I know they are taking measures to ensure that consultants are not using scare tactics or making disparaging remarks about other companies and products.


But there are consultants out there who are um ... a little over-eager, who make comments about bat guano (or mineral oil causing cancer)... smileys/smiley22.gif