Mineral oil has actually been a basic cosmetic oil only since petroleum began to be refined.
It is not the best ingredient for human skin- Heavy use of mineral has caused lesions in the liver and lymph nodes because the mineral oil is is not processed and transformed by humans, its droplets are so fine, they just physically sink through the skin into deeper and deeper tissues until it actually, physically, drifts into the liver or lymph nodes, which are not set up to process it.
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Quote:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...romoid=googlep
What's more alarming, fine droplets of mineral oil can go through the intestinal wall and reach the liver and lymph nodes, where, doctors suspect, they may cause dangerous lesions. Autopsies have revealed such droplets in patients' tissues.
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Although this study referred to those who had intense contact with mineral oil. I do not think it is best for human use or anything else that comes into contact with humans such as pearls.
Pearls and human skin oils are traditionally said to be very compatible, so I would want to use an oil that enhances both. As I have extremely thin, delicate skin which gets inflamed by cosmetics easily, I have investigated oils for use on the skin for 40 some odd years. Age has just exagerated my youthful problems!
Jojoba, though thick by itself, is actually made up of droplets that are individually capable of easy absortion by delicate skin. Jojoba, alone, is very compatible for skin use and has a history of thousands of years of use- in contrast to mineral oil. It is a native remedy here in the southwest desert country, but easily cultivated and available everywhere.
My favorite skin oil and one I do not react to with redness or irritation is Linda Sy's "Vita oil for delicate skins" Its main ingredient is jojoba oil followed by lecithin and other vegetable oil and ingredients that make it clear yellow, thin, and easily spreadable. I love it and my pearls love it.
