Helps protect skin: Its thick, viscous nature, makes for an excellent barrier on the skin to help prevent chaffing, nappy rash and other forms of skin irritation caused by friction and exposure to water-soluble irritants.

Occlusive and moisturising: The ability of Dimethicone to form a barrier on the skin also makes it effective for use as an occlusive. Occlusives help prevent moisture in the skin from evaporating.

Excellent skin moisturiser and conditioner: Moisturisers containing glycerin can produce long-lasting moisturisation by minimising water loss¹.

Helps protect against irritation: 10% Glycerine in a topical emulsion can help prevent the irritation and dehydration effects of washing the skin, including when Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is used as the detergent².

Helps to retain moisture in the skin: At high humidity, Glycerine acts as a humectant, while at low humidity it acts as a skin moisturiser and conditioner by inhibiting lipid phase transition².

1. Rawlings AV, Canestrari DA, Dobkowski B (2004) Moisturizer technology versus clinical performance. Dermatol Ther 17(suppl1): 49-565.

2. Greive K. Glycerine: The Naturally Effective Humectant. Dermatological Nursing 2012; 11(1): 30-34.

Safe for prolonged use: Critical analysis of studies into the toxicity of mineral oils such as Paraffinum Liquidum has shown that it is safe for prolonged use³.

Rarely causes allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to Paraffinum Liquidum are infrequent considering its widespread use in topical products⁴.

Non-comedogenic: Highly refined and purified mineral oils, such as Paraffinum Liquidum found in cosmetic and skincare products are non-comedogenic⁵ (does not clog pores).

Highly efficacious moisturising ingredient: Paraffinum liquidum keeps the skin moist and supple by providing a protective film and controlling the passage of water into and out of the skin⁶.

3. Nash JF, Gettings SD, Diembeck W, Chudowski M, Kraus AL. A toxicological review of topical exposure to white mineral oils. Food Chem Toxicol 1996; 34(2): 213-225.

4. Hunting ALL. Encyclopedia of Conditioning Rinse Ingredients. London: Micelle Press; 1987.p.280-281.

5. Lanzet M. Comedogenic effects of cosmetic raw materials. Cosmet Toiletries. 1986; 101: 63-72.

6. Rawlings AV and Lombard KJ. A review on the extensive benefits of mineral oil. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2012; 34: 511-518.

Contributes to skin barrier properties: It penetrates the uppermost stratum corneum layers, passing into the intercellular phase. Rather than integrating with the natural intercellular layer, it is distributed throughout the stratum corneum as a separate phase, thus contributing to the skin’s natural barrier properties⁷.

Reduces transepidermal water loss: The application of petroleum jelly to the skin in vivo can immediately reduce transepidermal water loss by 40-50%⁸.

Low irritancy rating: Widely recognised as being innocuous and non-allergenic⁹. Only rarely are sensitisation reactions reported¹⁰ and petrolatum presents few, if any, safety or toxicological problems¹¹.

7. Idson B. Dry Skin – Moisturising and Emolliency. Cosmetics and Toiletries. 107(7):69-78, 1992

8. Harry’s Cosmetology 8th edition. Ed. Reiger MM. Pub. Chemical Publishing Co, New York. 2000 p326,327

9. Braun-Falco, Plewig G, Wolff HH, Winkelmann RK. Dermatology. Published by Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 1991, p1146

10. Fisher AA. ‘Contact Dermatitis’ Third Edition p 148,149 (Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, 1986)

11. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. A joint publication of the American Pharmaceutical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Pub. The Pharmaceutical Press, London. 1986 p194-195.

Non-irritant: Usage levels range from 0.1% to greater than 50% and is a safe cosmetic ingredient as used in current practices and concentrations¹².

Moisturising: Commonly used in topical preparations as an emollient^13-14, lubricant and humectant¹³.

12. Final report on the safety assessment of squalane and squalene. Int J Toxicol 1982; 1(2):37-56.

13. Rosenthal ML. Squalane: the natural moisturizer. In: Schlossman MI, editor. The chemistry and manufacture of cosmetics.Illinois: Allured Publishing Corporation; 2002. p869-875.

14. Squalane. In: Sweetman SC, editor. Martindale the complete drug reference. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2007. 1850-1.