What mineral is in mineral oil?

Mineral oil doesn’t get its name from a particular mineral. Most likely it’s named mineral oil because it comes from a mineral source rather than a vegetable source. It’s a by-product in the production of gasoline from crude oil and is mostly made of a mixture of hydrocarbons. Mineral oil is used for a huge variety of things.

Low-grade mineral oils are used as industrial lubricants, transmission fluid, and hydraulic fluid. The mineral oil we are generally familiar with is a more pure high-grade version that is related to white petrolatum (a.k.a Vaseline). While most people think of mineral oil as a laxative there are many other uses. For example, its often used to prevent pieces candy, like Swedish Fish, from sticking together.

In cosmetics it’s used in:

• Baby oils
• Suntan oils
• Makeup
• Makeup remover
• Bath oils

In pharmaceuticals it’s used in:

• Topical ointments
• Gelatin capsule lubricants
• Nasal spray base

For agriculture it’s used as a:

• Miticide (In a vapor fog form its added to bee hives to kill mites.)
• Insecticide
• Insect repellent
• Fungicide

Other uses include:

• A wood preservative
• Lubricant and rust preventative for food manufacturing equipment
• A component of animal feed to reduce dusting and enhance appearance in dry feeds and mineral supplements.
• Lubricant for drawing, stamping, forming and rolling of aluminum foil used in food packaging.
• Plasticizer for rubber used on conveyor belts