A Complete Guide to White Mineral Oil: Applications in Pharma, Cosmetics & Food Industry

White mineral oil, also known as white oil, is one of the most refined petroleum-based products used across a wide range of industries. Its uses range from skincare products and baby oils to pharmaceutical formulations and food processing equipment. It is a highly purified oil known for being colorless, odorless, and chemically stable. It is suitable for applications where purity, safety, and stability are top priorities.

Unlike regular industrial oils, white mineral oil undergoes extensive hydro-treatment and purification to remove impurities such as aromatics, sulfur, and other harmful substances. In this blog, we’ll explore the diverse applications of white mineral oil across industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, plastics, textiles, cosmetics, and rubber manufacturing.

White Mineral Oil Uses in Cosmetics

The cosmetic industry heavily relies on white mineral oil due to its remarkable properties. Its hypoallergenic qualities, inert nature, and non-reactivity make it an ideal ingredient in a wide range of personal care products. It is particularly beneficial for products that come into direct contact with sensitive skin. It protects without causing irritation or clogging pores.

White mineral oil is commonly used in baby oils, cold creams, lipsticks, moisturizers, lip balms and hair care products. In addition to its moisturizing properties, it forms a protective barrier on the skin which helps in retaining moisture and prevent excessive water loss. It is especially effective for individuals with dry skin or conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. If you are a cosmetic manufacturer, you can try Atlantic White Mineral Oil like (LLP, MLP & HLP ) to make high-quality products.

White mineral oil does not penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, as some other oils do; rather, it sits on the skin's surface, providing protection and hydration. It is ideal due to its occlusive properties, which seal moisture in the skin while allowing it to breathe freely. This makes the skin soft and moist without risking clogged or irritated pores.

White Mineral Oil in Pharmaceuticals

White mineral oil finds application in the pharmaceutical sector with strict laws and quality guidelines, including: USP (United States Pharmacopeia), BP (British Pharmacopoeia), and EP (European Pharmacopoeia). These oils are refined in such a way that they are of the highest standards of purity and safety, thus suitable to be used in medicine.

Among the major applications of white mineral oil in pharmaceuticals are inactive ingredients/excipients in the formulations of drugs. It has found common use as a carrier oil, which can be used to deliver active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a stable way. Its chemical stability, non-reactivity, and non-toxicity make it an ideal choice of drug delivery systems because it does not interfere with the therapeutic effects of the active components.

Certain pharmaceutical applications are laxatives, ointment bases, capsule lubricants, medicinal creams, and dermatological treatments. Taking the example of liquid paraffin (white mineral oil), which is the ingredient of OTC laxatives, is used to treat constipation, providing relief as it makes stool soft and allows easier bowel movements.

White mineral oil has also been commonly utilized in the topical treatments of such dermatological disorders as dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis because it helps to keep the skin hydrated and to protect against environmental factors.

White Mineral Oil for Food Processing

White mineral oil is also used by the food industry, mostly in the processing of food and maintenance of equipment. Food-grade white mineral oil is highly purified to comply with the FDA and NSF incidental food contact regulations. It is not toxic, has no odor, does not change color, and is thus safe in terms of applications where it may be in contact with food products.

White mineral oil finds application in food processing as a machine lubricating oil and as a conveyor belt lubricating oil to ensure smooth operations and to avoid contamination. It is also utilized as a release agent in bakery molds, so that baked goods are removed from their pans and trays without being stuck. It is also used in the polishing of grains, coating of fruits, as well as in the use of meat processing machinery, wherein it is used to prevent rust and to keep the equipment running smoothly.

Among the major advantages of applying white mineral oil in food processing, the fact that it is used to prolong shelf life and enhance the quality of some food products should be mentioned. As an example, it is applied to fruits and vegetables to preserve their freshness and prevent dehydration.

White Mineral Oil in the Plastic Industry

White mineral oil is used in the plastic industry, where it is utilized as a plasticizer and processing aid. In plastic production, some materials are usually hard, or they cannot be molded easily. With white mineral oil, the manufacturers have been able to increase the flexibility and processability of the plastic. As a manufacturer, you can also try Atlantic Liquid Paraffins.

The white mineral oil is applied in processing polymers, which include polystyrene, PVC, and thermoplastic elastomers, lowering the difficulty of molding and shaping. It also improves the finish of the plastic products, making them smoother in surface and more transparent. White oil is used in food-grade plastic containers and packaging materials, where its non-toxicity makes it well-suited for applications that come into contact with food.

Moreover, it is also widely used in the manufacturing of medical plastic products, in which the purity and safety are the most important. The chemical inertness of white mineral oil, which does not interact with substances onto which it is applied, makes it an essential additive in the determination of the longevity and durability of plastic products.

White Oil for the Textile Industry

White mineral oil is used in the textile industry, but mostly in the process of lubrication. Friction may result in wear and tear on equipment and fabrics in high-speed textile machinery. White mineral oil is applied to lubricate the spindles, knitting machines, sewing machines, and other textile machinery to avoid friction when running and to keep the delicate fibers intact.

Since white mineral oil is non-staining, it does not leave any trace permanently on clothes even when it touches them during the manufacturing process. This also makes it a perfect lubricant in the textile industry since it not only ensures the integrity of the fabric but also maintains the performance of the equipment. Moreover, white oil is used in finishing fiber to prevent the occurrence of statical build up and enhances texture and finish of the textile.

White Oil for Rubber Manufacturing

White mineral oil is largely used in the rubber industry as a process oil and softening agent. Rubber compounds are mixed with white oil, which makes them have the ability to be flexible and elastic so that the rubber products can resist stress and deformation when in use. This is more so when it comes to manufacturing tires, gaskets, seals, and other rubber products that need to be durable and flexible with time.

White oil is also used to decrease the brittleness of rubber products and to avoid cracking, to ensure that the products are more resistant to wear and tear. It is more likely to be used in making medical rubber products and food-grade rubber, where purity and safety are very important. The chemical stability of white mineral oil means that it will not deteriorate the properties of rubber with time.

Why Industries Prefer White Mineral Oil

White mineral oil is favored in industries in various sectors due to its purity, non-toxicity, and chemical stability. It is a good lubricant, carrier oil, and protective agent in any application of the products, making sure that the products are safe to human beings and are compliant with the standards. Its high refinement and the absence of harmful impurities make it the most suitable one in the industrial sector that requires the highest quality and safety standards.

When in need of quality and safe white mineral oils, Atlantic Grease and lubricants can provide high-quality white oils like Atlantic White Mineral Oils. Their commodities are of an international standard and give the consistency demanded by performance in industries.

Why Atlantic Grease and Lubricants for White Mineral Oils

White mineral oil is a basic ingredient in industries where purity, safety, and reliability are needed. Our White Oils can only be used in Cosmetics, Plastics, Rubber, and Textiles Industries.

Atlantic Grease and Lubricants is trusted for quality white mineral oils. Their white oils are designed to meet the highest standards across industries, ensuring their products are safe, effective, and of the highest quality.

Contact Atlantic Grease and Lubricants today and get the right white oil and feel the difference in quality and performance.