Paraffin oils and waxes are extracted from remnants of petroleum distillation, through washing and filtering the raw material. They have in the best case skin protective qualities; a product with a high portion of paraffin oil is occlusive, i.e. it remains like a locking film on top of the skin. One characteristic which is desired from a hand crème, but is not desired for a face crème for daily use. For cosmetic manufacturers, the use of paraffin oils as a basic ingredient is extremely lucrative because it is easy to obtain and is above all inexpensive. From mineral oils it allows itself with the appropriate emulsifiers to be scentless, can be preserved for a long time and is used for working emulsions. It can be stored over a long period of time, does not change color, develops no smell of its own and can easily be used with every desired scent. They are a cheap basic substance used in large production batches, which in addition does not oxidise, so that its use with antioxidants, in which it can prevent becoming rancid should be prevented. Natural cosmetic companies therefore refuse to use mineral oils. Weleda, an anthroposophically oriented manufacturer of natural cosmetics, gives the following reasons for this: "As a component of body care materials, oils from mineral origins are not appropriate, because they are not related to the skin. They do not support many of the skin's functions."

Mineral oil products/paraffin/silicone: Most are manufactured from inexpensive mineral oil; these materials are used as a replacement for high-value plant oils. Paraffins are a general term for a large number of artificial materials, including Vaseline, which find wide use in cosmetics and drugs. One knows that some paraffin can reach the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes. Some paraffin wax has shown an inflammatory reaction on heart valves.

Paraffin usually does not pose a problem for the environment. Larger damage can nevertheless be accepted with skin crèmes which contain paraffin. The newspaper "Eco-Test" evaluated paraffin-containing crèmes very low if they contain a specific percent amount which can lead to the danger of drying the skin, with added ability to create wrinkles. That which should be avoided (skin drying, formation of wrinkles) was produced. Eco-Test explained as follows: "Paraffins: Group description for a large number of artificial materials from mineral oil, prevent the natural regulation mechanisms and can reach the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes. Eco-Test warns of more than 10% in a crème. Products from well-known firms such as Nivea contain significantly more paraffin in their crèmes.

Straight or branched hydrocarbon material with up to 60 and more carbon members are paraffin oils, Vaseline and paraffin waxes, which are used as basic raw materials in many ways in cosmetics. The products in a pure state are tolerated by the skin. They have the characteristic, however, to stay on the skin surface and to close the pores, and with this to suppress skin breathing.

Paraffins are petroleum products which are created through petroleum distillation -- among other things are at the bottom of raw petroleum tanks. Cleaned paraffin or paraffin oil (paraffinum liquidum) are processed for cosmetic products as well as candles, floor wax, polishes and shoe polish. Also Vaseline, which is often used as a basic ingredient for salves, is a paraffin product.

Emollient, skin care product, viscosity regulator. Production: synthetic. Less recommendable.