What is baby oil made from?

Do you ever wonder what that slippery, smooth substance known as baby oil is made from? Well, look no further because this article will give you all the juicy details about what exactly it contains. Spoiler alert: there are no actual babies used in the making of baby oil.

Introduction

Baby oil has been a staple in households with young children for years. Its purpose ranges from using it to clean sticky substances off surfaces, lubricating skin during massages, or even just enjoying its silky texture. However, not many people stop to think about how this miracle substance came to be.

The Origins of Baby Oil

Believe it or not, baby oil did not start out as being marketed explicitly for babies. Initially created by scientist Robert Chesebrough in 1859 under the name “Chesebrough Petroleum Jelly”, it was later renamed Vaseline and became popular among all age groups due to its moisturizing properties^[1]. It wasn’t until 1930 when Johnson & Johnson released their line of baby products including their version of petroleum jelly – baby oil, marketed solely towards infants.

Petroleum-Based Substance

The main ingredient found in most brands of baby oils is mineral oil – a derivative of petroleum that can also be used on various products such as medical equipment lubricants^[2]. According to chemists, mineral oil cannot penetrate nor clog pores which makes it excellent at trapping moisture between your skin while protecting sensitive areas^[3].

Refining Process

To create mineral oil specifically intended for skin use requires refining – removing any impurities present^[4]. This process heats up crude tools over temperatures surpassing hundreds of degrees Celsius creating vapor or gas. These vapors then pass through distillation columns where they separate into gases and liquids according to boiling points.

Additives

Afterward refining into base stock (the rawest form), manufacturers can then choose to add the fragrances and emollients that we all know as baby oil^[5]. These two are sometimes used in prevention of bacteria growth, masking strong chemical smells or soothing acute flare-ups.

Alternative Oils Used

While mineral oil is still the most common base for baby oils, manufacturers have started using vegetable-based products instead. Products seen on shelves containing sunflower, avocado or coconut oils which catered towards environment-conscious consumers demanding alternatives that do not contain petroleum derivatives^[6].

Sunflower Oil

Sunflowers produce a seed rich with natural essential fatty acids (EFAs) like linoleic and oleic acid – substances clinically proven to cure skin conditions like itching caused by rashes or psoriasis^[7]. When refined into an extract, it becomes a pale yellow oily liquid that retains all these important benefits making it perfect for sensitive skins especially for newborns.

Avocado Oil

Another commonly used natural ingredient may come from the main component of guacamole – avocado! Cold-pressed avocado oil can hold up even better than olive oil with its high levels of monounsaturated fats MUFAs offering superior hydration properties along side compounds such as vitamins A and E [8].

Conclusion

In summary, many people probably only know baby oils at surface level without really understanding what they composed. It offers excellent moisturizing capabilities usually obtained from either mineral-based products created through strict refining processes but also through use of plant-derived ingredients of natural health benefit potential such as sunflower and/or avocados.

Irregardless if you’re just massaging those tiny toes after bath time ritual or lubricating your bike chains by both sexes adult (don’t judge), varying compositions exist ensuring each one customized to meet specific needs.

So next time someone asks “What is baby oil made of?” tell them all about the many options available!

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