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Many people use oils in their daily lives in order to hydrate and nourish the body, but do you know what the differences are between these oils, minerals and vegetables?

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Oils are known for their hydrating and nourishing effects on the body, but there are differences between vegetable oil and mineral oil, and not just any oil guarantees these effects. Mineral oils only provide a moisturizing effect, but they act in a different way than vegetable oils.

When in contact with the skin, mineral oil forms a barrier on the surface, preventing water from evaporating - that is, it covers the pores and prevents the skin from drying out. Thanks to this barrier that is formed, mineral oil is recommended for use in burns, as it protects the injured region and prevents it from drying out; generally speaking, it is more recommended for protection than for hydration.

Vegetable oils, on the other hand, perform better for skin hydration and nutrition. They are made up of triglycerols and, depending on which source the vegetable oil is extracted from, vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants may also be present. In addition to being used as moisturizers, some vegetable oils have great performance in cooking and as "carrier oils" - that is, they serve to dilute essential oils, so that vegetable oils "carry" the essential, as essential oils are very concentrates and may cause skin irritation.

Main characteristics (positive and negative)

mineral oils

• They are very effective barriers in cases of burns.
• They have a high environmental impact, as they are derived from petroleum, which causes them to emit many pollutants into the atmosphere. When dumped into the environment, they can pollute the water, as they are not biodegradable.
• When applied to the skin, they clog the pores, preventing the skin from drying out, but they also prevent the skin from absorbing any external nutrients. Thanks to this “clogging” of the pores, such oils worsen the skin's breathing and there is an accumulation of fat in the pores, which favors the appearance of blackheads and pimples.
• They are mentioned on cosmetic labels as paraffinum liquidum or mineral oil.

vegetable oil

• Compared to mineral oils, they have a lower environmental impact.
• They are extracted from plants, mainly seeds.
• When applied to the skin, they allow skin breathing, hydrate and can provide nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins.
• They have moisturizing and nourishing effects, causing fewer allergic reactions than mineral oils.
• Check out our complete articles on vegetable oil and mineral oil.