Petroleum derivatives
Paraffins & Co
Substances based on petroleum are used in an extremely large number of care and cosmetic products. On the one hand, mineral oils are used as a fat component in cosmetics, for example as paraffin or Vaseline. Mineral oil is distilled from crude oil. On the other hand, crude oil is the starting point for many other ingredients - such as surfactants, preservatives and fragrances or UV filters.
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Lotions and creams that contain petroleum or mineral oil-based substances make the skin look smooth and soft, but do not condition it. Because the oil lays on the skin like a film, but does not really absorb it. This seals off the skin inside and out - it can't breathe. In the long term, this can lead to impurities and wrinkle formation and dry out the skin.
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In addition, regular use of products containing petroleum can weaken the skin's own regulatory mechanisms; the skin becomes “addicted” to the oil. If you want real care, it is better to use products with vegetable oils.
Their composition is similar to the natural protective layer of the skin, which is why they are kind to the skin and gentle on people and the environment.
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Like petroleum jelly, paraffin is a common ingredient in care products and ointments. Like petrol, diesel and heating oil, paraffin is also obtained from crude oil using a great deal of energy – including all the environmental risks of crude oil extraction and transport.
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See below how to recognize parrafins in your products!
How to recognize paraffins in cosmetic products?
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Liquid paraffin
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Isoparaffin
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(Microcrystalline) Wax
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Vaseline
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Mineral Oil
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Petrolatum
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Cera Microcristallina
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Ceresin
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Ozokerites
Paraffins on the skin
However, as substances foreign to the skin, paraffins have no positive effect on the functioning of the skin. They only improve the skin surface and the feeling on the skin.
However, this is only a subjective impression, since paraffins do not penetrate the skin and do not contribute to the regeneration of damaged skin cells.
The pleasant feeling only lasts until the substance has been washed off again.
Paraffins and the environment
Since paraffin wax comes from petroleum, it is also not environmentally friendly.
Oil production often causes devastating damage to the environment – and not only when there are tanker accidents or problems on oil platforms every few years.
But not only the extraction and transport of crude oil is bad for the environment, but also the refining process.
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Refining crude oil to remove all of these compounds (be it paraffin wax or otherwise) produces quantities of waste products, some of them toxic, that lead to air, soil and water pollution.
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In addition, the entire refining process consumes vast amounts of energy, most of which is obtained from environmentally harmful fossil fuels.
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Finally, there is the problem of disposing of paraffin wax at the end of its life cycle, since it cannot be recycled, nor is it biodegradable.
So we see: paraffin wax is not environmentally friendly, starting from the crude oil extraction through production to disposal.
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Check out below our products with great and natural ingredients without all kinds of petroleum derivatives.
