Mineral Oil. Paraffinum Liquidum (say wut?). Sigh.
I purchased this Eve Lom cleanserafter reading that it has consistently been the number 1 most sold product for the last 15 years. Seems very promising, and I was in a pinch and needed a cleanser THAT DAY, so I picked it up. And tried it. And liked it, very much.
It was only after it had been purchased and used for a couple of weeks that I found Caroline Hirons’ blog, and learned all about mineral oil. Then, being a curious person, I researched it on my own. Mineral Oil is basically a very inexpensive by-product of the distillation of petroleum. It is a transparent, colorless oil related to petroleum jelly (Vaseline). The version that you find in skincare is highly refined and purified, but has a bad reputation, because it is known to clog pores and break people out.
I searched and searched and kept going round and round in circles because some people fiercely defend it and others despise it and scream their hatred from the rooftops of the interwebs. So here are my overall thoughts on the mineral oil contained inside this particular product, and the product itself:
1) I really like this product. It takes my makeup off, even my eye makeup, does not irritate my eyes at all (I can open them with this smeared all over my eyes and they are fine), and it makes my skin baby soft. My skin actually feels noticeably better than normal for a few days after using this; just clean and soft and hydrated without feeling stripped.
2) I’m not a massive fan of the scent, but some people seem to really like it. It smells at bit odd to me… a little herbal (but I usually love herbal scents), a bit medicinal (again, I tend to like this normally) but mixed with another scent that my nose doesn’t care for. Maybe it’s fruitcake? It’s sweet, that’s for sure, but it smells a bit off to me. The scent does not linger on your skin though, which is a good thing in this case.
3) Eve Lom actually created the first-ever balm cleanser with this product, thus revolutionizing the skincare world. This is the original. I like originals. Plus, Vogue named this the “#1 Cleanser in the World”.
4) It has chamomile oil to soften and soothe, clove oil for clarity (although people say clove oil is irritating), eucalyptus oil to decongest, hops oil to tone, and cocoa butter to condition your skin. However, it also has parabens and mineral oil.
5) In the effort of fairness I will point out that even though this product has mineral oil in it, you do wash it off. Eve Lom's other products which are meant to be left on your face do not have mineral oil in them. There are some other famous skincare products which are meant to stay on your face and still are full of mineral oil, so I’m not sure that this ingredient bothers me too much in this particular product.
6) A makeup artist who has not worked with me in a few months commented on my skin a few days ago at a shoot, saying, "Your skin has never looked this good."
6) A makeup artist who has not worked with me in a few months commented on my skin a few days ago at a shoot, saying, "Your skin has never looked this good."
Overall thoughts? I like this. It worked well for my skin. The scent doesn’t bother me enough not to use it, especially if my skin loves it. My skin seems to love this. However… I am stumped about the mineral oil. And normally, when I am stumped and on the edge of wondering, “Could this be bad for me”, I will just find an alternative. (Except in the case of Diet Coke). (Which actually, I have given up. So I just proved my own point). Which means… maybe I will try something else out instead, but not until I have used and loved every bit of this up. And I won’t lie; I might end up repurchasing this again if I don’t find something mineral oil-free that I like as much. I really do like this stuff.
Ingredients:
Paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil), cetearyl alcohol, peg-30 lanolin, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, aluminum stearate, theobroma cacao (cocoa butter), peg-75 lanolin, chamomilla recutita (chamomile oil), eugenia caryophyllus (clove oil), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus oil), humulus lupulus (hops oil), phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, p-chloro-m-cresol, eugenol, isoeugenol.
I tried a sample of this and really liked it! I too was confused about the ingredients. I'm still confused but I'm glad you shared your thoughts. Beautiful blog!
ReplyDeleteI love the new blog Elle! I look forward to reading more of your posts! :)
ReplyDeleteNikki
Glitter and Grease
http://nikkidee14.blogspot.com/
Ahh...so many parabens :(
ReplyDeleteYou need to try the Emma Hardie Morgina Cleasing balm! My holy grail cleanser and no nasties in it! I reviewed it as the first post on my blog :) http://loveslikesandwishes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/emma-hardie-moringa-cleansing-balm.html
ReplyDeleteJust followed, love your new site :)
That is actually next on my list of cleansers to try! I have heard such amazing things about it. I'll check out your review!
DeleteI was just about to post the same advice and then saw Daisy's post. It is amazing...smells delicious and no mineral oil! I reviewed it a while ago here. http://www.allwornoutblog.com/?p=4181
DeleteYour blog is beautiful...congratulations
Try Lancer skin care. Works awesome and feels/smells WONDERFUL! Get the Polish, Cleanse, Moisturizer set! Expensive but soooo worth it and it lasts!
DeleteNoooo it has a terrible smell.
DeleteHi, Elle! So excited about your new blog! Have you seen Dr. Neal Schultz's DermTV episode about mineral oil? He discusses why it is safe and also mentions that it is considered noncomedogenic (does not clog pores). Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4yc05frjTo
ReplyDeleteHe also did an episode on parabens if you are curious (they are safe, as well): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9o6O52wgnA
I used to be a huge fan of the Eve Lom but I have very sensitive skin and it appeared to be too abrasive on my skin. I am now using the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which is much more soothing and gentle on my skin, also comes with a muslin cloth and for a fraction of the price! I highly recommend it :) So excited for your new blog Elle, look forward to many more posts to come! PS can I send you the hydraluron to Blairs PO box? xx
ReplyDeleteBethni
http://www.bethni.com
http://www.youtube.com/bethni
I adore Lancer Skin Care! It's expensive but soooo worth it.
DeleteYay Elle! Love the blog already! <3
ReplyDeleteHi Elle! Congratulations on this new blog, its amazing!!! The design and content are flawless :) Huge fan!
ReplyDeleteI've been watching you for 3 years now and it would mean the world to me if you could check out my blog too!
www.wearinfashion.blogspot.com
xoxo
Just FYI, all of those parabens in this aren't so good for you...
ReplyDeletebutylparaben: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/700868/BUTYLPARABEN/
These things can act as hormone disruptors.
Hi Elle! Loving the new blog :D
ReplyDeleteMineral Oil just doesn't sink into the skin, and if you are using it as a cleansing balm, that should be fine! Just make sure you wipe it off well, and there shouldn't be any that 'clog your pores' etc. Actually, Vaseline use to be a makeup remover (I still use it haha), and if you give it a good wipe, use a good toner, everything should be fine! I just wouldn't recommend using a moisturizer with mineral oil.
<3
I haven't really heard too much about this product before, but I really do like that you wrote out all of your thoughts about the product, both good and bad! It is always great to know as much as possible before making the leap to buy it. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Jaclyn
Written in Fashion
Hi Elle!
ReplyDeleteI watch your youtube videos sine forever. :D
To be honest, just the look of your "blush" blog inspired me to really make an effort and try more with my blog.
Even though I'm only starting it would mean so much if you could visit my blog. I'm not trying to spam you or anything, I'm just trying to get a few people to read it. :D
http://justrenataa.blogspot.com/
I love this post a lot and actually wanted to reccomend the Emma Hardie Morgina Cleasing balm as well. (:
Enjoy the rest of the day. X
I love the way you write! You're very honest and informative. :)
ReplyDeleteim not against mineral oil. i personally LOVE using aquaphor which is a petrolium based product. i say do whats right for your skin because everyone reacts differently. i would recommend giving emma hardie's moringa cleansing balm a try tho. you can buy it from feelunique.com and they ship worldwide. its is a fantastic product!
ReplyDeleteIsabel @ Walk of Fashion
you skipped 4... haha :)
ReplyDeletehttp://giadalovesyou.blogspot.com/
Great post Elle!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see you start a new blog. I have been blogging for quite a while now and I hope you can have just a quick peek?
Keep up the great work...
Helena
www.beautchic.com
never mind the mineral oil (which is bad) the many parbens (including the worst kind - methel) are horrid. Beauty products use cheap preservatives (parabens) and cheap emoliants (mineral oil) are skimping and getting a high markup while producing crap product.
ReplyDeleteHi Elle! This blog is great! I appreciate the fact that you write the ingredient list of the products that you use! Bye bye, have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteKisses from Italy, Beatrice <3
p.s Talking about comedogenic ingredients, not only mineral oil, but also isopropyl palmitate and isopropyl myristrate are highly comedogenic!
Yay Elle, your own blog again! I missed your old blogspot so much.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of a mineral oil free balm cleanser, next time you're in Lush ask for a sample of Ultrabland. Whatever the SA says, just use it like you would Eve Lom of Emma Hardie balms; massage into the skin, (it won't emulsify with liquid) because it doesn't have the mineral oil but you take it off with a hot facecloth or muslin cloth and it is beautiful. You can also get it right up in your eyes and it takes off Estee Lauder double wear and They're Real (so its super effective). But seriously just ask for a little sample so you can try it :)
Hey Elle!
ReplyDelete1. The thing with Mineral Oil is that it can't be absorbed by the skin since it's unrelated to it. So it lays on the skin, making it feel smooth, soft and lovely. But because of that the skin's self regulation and metabolism gets disturbed. The skin gets "lazy" and won't regulate itself by itself.
2. Mineral Oil in lip products gets into your body. Because it's a "foreign substance" your body can't deposit it - so it attaches itself to your spleen, liver and your lymph nodes (for example) which is obviously bad for you.
3. "5) In the effort of fairness I will point out that even though this product has mineral oil in it, you do wash it off. [...]" - Yes, you do wash it off. But it still gets in contact with your skin, reacting with it. My skin is pretty sensitive and it reacts to Mineral Oil - even if it's in a product that I wash off! For example: I once used a scrub by Vichy which contained Mineral Oil. A scrub is getting washed off just like a normal face wash. But guess what? My skin reacted to it as badly as it did with a face cream containing Mineral Oil.
4. If you're not sure about and ingredient being safe or not: AVOID IT! It's as simple as that!
5. Those parabens are awful and an absolute no-go for your skin/body/overall health! You should def. avoid them!
Seeing as your blog is called dreaming in blush this seems like a good question what is your favorite blush. Would love to know which ones you like.
ReplyDelete"Mineral Oils, the most comment emmolients used in synthetic products, can dry out the under layer of the skin so it loses its ability to moisturize itself and becomes dependent on moisture being constantly replaced from an external source. Mineral Oils and their derivatives are occlusive, clogging pores and making it difficult for your skin to breath. Over time, the oils turn rancid and start forming free radicals, whose effects in the skin are very harmful. Most commercial skin-care products contain silicones, plasticlike substances responsible for the smooth, rich textrure you can find in high-end moisturizers. Like Mineral Oils, silicones and other plasticizers form a layer like a coat of plastic on your skin, preventing it from taking in oxygen and interfering with its ability to expel toxins and absorbe nutrients. [...]" - Deborah Burnes, Look Great, Live Gren, Page 71 ll. 5-16
ReplyDeleteon of the problems with mineral oil is that it isn't very biodegradeable. so even if we might not absorb it and it might not hurt our skin, its our pal earth that has to deal with it! so in short, me no likey!
ReplyDeleteotherwise great post! :)
This cleanser is so luxurious and lovely! I have been using it for a few years now and it is still my favourite. When I first started using it I absolutely hated the scent but I grew to love it.
ReplyDeletebeautiful post! lovely products! I love you SO much!!!!!
ReplyDeletexx
daniella
simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com
I am so with you on this product. I currently use it too and LOVE the way it removes my makeup and leaves my skin. I am too also torn about this product but will continue to use it until its all gone. If I can't find an alternative I will repurchase since this has not irritated my skin in the least.
ReplyDeleteOMG mineral oil, paraben, phenoxyethanol, Elle I really recommend you to stop using this product, it's not good for you, for now it makes you skins really smooth (like silicon in makeup) but after a while you'll have really dry and not so smooth skin, just wanted to let you know :) x
ReplyDeleteI think it's ok. I'm not much of a chemophobe. Mineral Oil is getting such a bad rap but I think it's ok since you're not leaving most of it on anyway--that is if you prefer being conservative.
ReplyDeleteI say don't argue with success.
Maybe you can also read up on what actual chemists think about mineral oil. And why they think it's safe so you get to see both sides of the story.
I love REN's balm cleanser! No mineral oil and it smells faintly of roses. Since it only comes with one muslin cloth, I ordered another one and a set of Emma Hardie face cloths from FeelUnique.com.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that the REN cleanser is available in the US and A LOT cheaper than Eve Lom.
ReplyDeleteYou should try the Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser. No mineral oil and just a tiny bit of a lighter consistency. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteCan you use this product with the clarasonic?
ReplyDeleteI've been using Embryolisse lait creme concentre for the past year, because I heard so many good things about it. Now about a year later, my skin has never looked so bad.. I never had a problem with dry/flakey skin before.. And I am positive that this is the result of the mineral oil in Embryolisse because nothing else has changed in my skincare routine..
ReplyDeleteOh and I really don't want to make you sad... but DIOR CREME DE ROSE ALSO CONTAINS MINERAL OIL :( !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I know why my lips have been so dry as well.. Definitely will be looking for a new moisturizer and lipbalm..
This is on my list to try along with the Emma Hardie. I have been using Botanics Organic Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm and like it a lot, but have wanted to try a higher end balm. I'm not too sure now about the Eve Lom because of the Mineral Oil.
ReplyDeleteOver the winter I was using EOS lip balm a lot but it got to the point that my lip because unbearably dry to the point of almost bleeding. It turned out it was the mineral oil in the EOS! Since I stopped using it, my lips have been healthier.
Deana
TesoriBelle.com
Hey Elle, I work at LUSH and highly recommend our Ultrabland Facial Cleanser for you. It is based on the first ever cosmetic cream, which was created in 150 AD by a Greek Physician. This is the ENTIRE ingredient list: Almond Oil, Rose Water, Beeswax, Honey, Fresh Iris Extract, Soy Glycerine, Rose Absolute , Tincture of Benzoin (gum of an evergreen tree), Methylparaben, Propylparaben. All lovely ingredients for your skin! Almond oil is super soothing, hydrating, and a great anti-inflammatory. Ultrabland is 20% rose water! Rose is super soothing and great for reducing the appearance of any redness or irritation in the skin. Honey is a great natural antiseptic, and is humectant and hydrating.
ReplyDeleteYou use this product basically the same way as a cold cream. Smooth on dry skin, taking time to melt away any makeup (even around the eyes!), then gently wipe clean with a warm, damp cloth. You will be AMAZED at the gunk that comes off your face, even if you weren't wearing makeup. I love to use a little bit of our Eau Roma Water (straight up lavender and rose water) on an exfoliating cotton pad after.
We don't use mineral oils in any of our products. We DO however use parabens in our products, as they are the safest known preservative. Studies showing dangers related to use of parabens have been debunked. You can read about the two forms we use in our products at the links below, hope you will find the information helpful:
http://www.lushusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Lush-Site/en_US/Lushopedia-Start?iid=9739
http://www.lushusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Lush-Site/en_US/Lushopedia-Start?iid=9748
I actually like to review Elle! and great article and posts you have to shared on this blog thanks for sharing dear ! cheap silicone wristbands
ReplyDeleteJust FYI, all of those parabens in this aren't so good for you...
ReplyDeletecheap silicone wristbands
These things can act as hormone disruptors.
Managed to get sample of it. I find it too rich for my very oily skin.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the edge with this product I really want to try it out but I hate wasting or falling for hypes! Grrrrr! But I waaaaaaant!
ReplyDeleteJust purchased a jar yesterday, after reading the above I don't know if I want to even try it?
ReplyDeleteJust purchased a jar yesterday, after reading the above I don't know if I want to even try it?
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