Paraffinum Liquidum
Mineral oil (liquid paraffin)
- Role
- A liquid hydrocarbon base that softens the skin and helps the product glide.
- Catalog formulas
- 4
- Type
- Texture
- Verified
- 09.11.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
Highly refined mineral oil: a complex mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum, a clear, colourless and odourless liquid. INCI functions: emollient, skin protecting, solvent and antistatic. COSMILE also lists "paraffin oil" and "mineral oil" (Mineral Oil) as names for this INCI.
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
In the catalogue it appears in emulsion roll-ons and in a stick: as part of the oil phase it makes application smoother and helps the skin hold on to moisture. It does not reduce sweating.
In the EU, mineral oils are permitted in cosmetics only if they meet purity specifications for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (European Pharmacopoeia and Regulation 1223/2009). A 2017 review of studies found no evidence that mineral oils and waxes from cosmetics are absorbed through the skin and become systemically available. In the US, mineral oil at 50–100% is a permitted active ingredient of over-the-counter skin protectants (21 CFR 347.10).
A 2019 review describes refined mineral oils as well tolerated by the skin and non-allergenic because they are stable and do not oxidise. An individual reaction to the finished product is still possible.
Not to be confused with Paraffin (solid paraffin wax) or Petrolatum (petroleum jelly, a firm lipogel of solid and liquid fractions): these are related hydrocarbons with different INCI names and textures.
Products containing Paraffinum Liquidum
Links are based on the complete published INCI list for the exact product version.
Sources
The conclusions apply to the stated conditions and jurisdictions, not automatically to every concentration or product.
- EU CosIng: Paraffinum Liquidum Supports: INCI functions, substance identity
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe): Paraffinum Liquidum Supports: substance description
- Chuberre B. et al. Mineral oils and waxes in cosmetics (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2019) Supports: purity requirements, irritation and sensitisation
- Petry T. et al. Review of data on the dermal penetration of mineral oils and waxes used in cosmetic applications (Toxicol Lett, 2017) Supports: skin absorption
- FDA: 21 CFR 347.10 — skin protectant active ingredients Supports: US regulatory status