Want Healthy, Soft Skin? Why You Should Avoid Products That Have Mineral Oil!

Before you buy a body lotion, creme, or makeup product, you pay attention the ingredients. One ingredient to avoid is mineral oil.

When I make my Shea body butter, I have to add a "carrier" oil.

What is a "carrier oil?"

A carrier oil helps the butter glide on easier, but it SHOULD also help the lotion or butter soak into the skin so it can receive the maximum nutrients and moisture. My preferred carrier oils are usually grape seed or soy bean oil, but there are many vegetable, nut, or seed based oils to choose from.

Mineral oil isn't a good carrier oil.

Many big companies prefer the use of mineral oil as a carrier, mostly because it's cheap and has a long shelf life. However, if you are using these products for skin softening and moisturizing, you'll be duped. You may feel some short-term results, but in the long term, you'll end up with drier skin than before.

Here's what Aromatherapy, A Lifetime Guide To Healing With Essential Oils, by Valerie Gennari Cooksley says about mineral oil:"Mineral oil is a refined synthetic by-product of petroleum....due to its large molecular structure, it prevents nutrients and essential oils from entering the skin surface and blocks moisture and waste from exiting. It is drying to the skin for this reason and is not recommended for personal care preparations."

I have very sensitive skin that's also prone to break outs. A product that just sits on the skin like mineral oil would ultimately block my pores; my face, legs, arms, etc. My skin would be a huge mess!

This is why I try to avoid buying store products all together and make my own. I recommend you do so as well, if you have the time. Not only will you know exactly what goes into the product, but you'll save money too! For example:

• VS Love Spell Body Butter: $12 online for a 6 oz container
• DIY shea body butter with "Love Spell" dupe fragrance oil : approximately $2 for 6 oz container

Ok, I realize not everyone has time to play mad scientist and whip up body butter in their kitchen. If you want to try it out, great, if you'd rather not, then I would suggest trolling some local craft shows or Etsy.com. Crafters like me have a wealth of knowledge and strive to make a very high quality product. They should be able to tell you what is exactly in their product and the numerous benefits of each ingredient.

Coming soon: How To Make Your Own Shea Body Butter.