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Baby oil is an inertoil used to keepskin soft and supple, named for its use on babies and also often used on adults for skincare and massage.
Theskin of an infant, especially apremature one, is sensitive, thin, and fragile. The skin's neutralpH on the surface significantly reduces the protection against excessivebacterial growth. Theepidermis anddermis are thinner than those of adults and theepidermal barrier is not yet fully developed. Consequences can for example be dry skin,infections,peeling, blister formation and poorthermoregulation. The application of differentoils to the skin of the newborn is routinely practiced in many countries. In general, these oils are used for cleansing, to maintain the skin's moisture and to protect its surface. Additionally, baby oil is used for themassage of newborns and as additive inlotions andcreams.[1][2]
Some baby oils are based onmineral oil; others are based onvegetable oils.
Typical components of baby oils are the highly purifiedmineral oil products, such asliquid paraffin (INCI name: paraffinum liquidum) andpetroleum jelly (INCI name: petrolatum). These compounds are odorless and tasteless, dermatologically tested and approved, not allergenic, andhydrophobic; they contain nopesticides orherbicides.Preservatives andantioxidants are not necessary, because, unlike vegetable oils, paraffins cannot become rancid.[3] Nevertheless, the use of mineral oil in cosmetics is being criticized. Natural-cosmetic companies claim that mineral oil causes skin occlusion. Conventional cosmetic manufacturers and dermatologists and cosmetic chemists argue against that, and studies have shown no statistical difference between paraffin oil and vegetable oils in skin penetration and skin occlusion.[4][5] On the contrary, petrolatum-based preparations have been shown to be effective to the skin barrier function, even in premature infants.[6]
Vegetable oils are produced by plants with the highest concentration being present inseeds andfruits. About 95% of each vegetable oil is primarily composed oftriglycerides.Coconut oil andpalm oil contain mainlysaturated fatty acids, while other oils largely containunsaturated fatty acids, for exampleoleic acid andlinoleic acid. Accompanying substances in vegetable oils are, inter alia,phospholipids,glycolipids,sulfolipids,squalene,carotenoids,vitamin E,polyphenols and triterpenealcohols.[7] To avoid rancidity, preservatives or antioxidants are added to baby oils based on vegetable oils.[3] On cosmetic products, these oils are listed according to theInternational Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), e.g.:[8]
Vegetable oils are not to be confused withessential oils, both being sourced from plants.[7]
Baby oils are largely used as skin care products and their principal use remains as skin moisturizers. In particular, baby oils find application in the treatment of various skin diseases likeatopic dermatitis,xerosis,psoriasis and othereczematous conditions.[7] Another area of use is the oil massage of the newborn which has been a tradition in India and other Asian countries since time immemorial.[2]
In addition to its principal usage, liquid paraffin-based baby oil is commonly used in the automotive maintenance industry as a fuel fordiagnostic smoke test machines, which generate smoke used to detect leaks in engine induction systems, brake system, manifolds, gaskets and similar sealed systems. When heated to approximately 300°C in a low oxygen environment, liquid paraffin creates a thick and visible smoke which is injected into the sealed system. Leaks in a system can easily be found by observing the place at which smoke escapes.