words of caution on petroleum by-products:
Mineral oil, a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline
from crude oil (or, basically a refined motor oil), is the main ingredient
in many baby care items. Baby Oil, Vaseline® (petroleum jelly) and
baby lotions all contain mineral oil as a key ingredient.
The problems:
1. The skin is the body's largest organ and plays a vital role in overall
health. Mineral oil acts as a thin plastic, impenetrable layer on the
skin. It is difficult to absorb and clogs the pores, which slows the skin's
ability to eliminate toxins – which can promote acne and other disorders.
This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing
the skin to prematurely age.
Allegedly (I'm still looking for the citation), John Hopkins University
claims that mineral oil in moisturizers is the number two leading cause
of aging (#1 cause is the sun). According to Australia's
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC), "Prolonged
contact with mineral oil has the associated risk of developing skin conditions
such as oil folliculitis, eczematous dermatitis, melanosis of the face
and plantar warts."
A recent article in Positive
Health Magazine, outlines the dangers of the mineral oils found so
ubiquitously in the majority of cosmetic products, including baby oil,
lipstick, face creams, body lotions and sunscreens. "Mineral oil
(classed as a petrochemical pollutant and xenohormone) can have negative
effects on hormones and the skin’s ability to breathe, attract moisture
and detoxify. It can also slow down cell renewal and be the second (after
the sun) most likely cause of premature ageing. In fact sunscreens produced
from mineral oil may promote skin cancer as well as colon and breast cancer."
Some mineral oils are carcinogenic.
Studies have shown that poorly refined mineral oil can induce skin and
scrotal cancers after prolonged, repeated, and heavy direct contact with
the skin. Australia's NSHOC reports: "A number of studies have linked
cancers of the skin and scrotum to mineral oil exposure." (Brit J
Industr Med, 41, 437-444, 1984.)
2. Once the oil is absorbed, it is broken down by the liver, thus distracting
the liver from other detoxifying chores. The liver helps your baby fend
off sickness and toxicity.
3. Just having mineral oil around is a liability.
If mineral oil is ingested, it will absorb (and essentially rob) vitamins
from the intestinal tract – especially oil-soluble vitamins A, D
and E. as well as beta-carotene, calcium, phosphorus and potassium and
the blood coagulant Vitamin K. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies
and other complications.
4. Ingested mineral oil also can impair lung function, a condition known
as lipoid pneumonia
(New England Journal of Medicine 1998; 339:1947-1948). Dr. Debra L. Bowen
from the Food and Drug Administration says the agency "requires manufacturers
to label orally administered mineral-oil products as not for use in infants,
and to warn against their use in young children or bedridden persons."
Oddly enough, mineral oil is still widely prescribed by some pediatricians
as a "safe" laxative for children.
we recommend Baby Bottom Better ointment.
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