Ingredient guide · P

Paraffinum Liquidum

Paraffinum Liquidum, also known as mineral oil, is a clear, odourless oil commonly used in UK skincare and cosmetics to lock in moisture. It creates a protective barrier on the skin, helping to prevent water loss without feeling heavy or greasy. A staple in many affordable moisturisers, lip balms and baby products.

Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil) — Paraffinum Liquidum is a highly refined mineral oil derived from petroleum. It is obtai… | UK Lips ingredient guide

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics and skincare Paraffinum Liquidum forms a semi-occlusive layer on the skin or hair surface that reduces transepidermal water loss, leaving the skin feeling smoother and softer. It has excellent emollient properties, spreads easily and helps to improve the texture and stability of creams, cleansing oils, lipsticks and hair serums. Because it is highly refined and inert it rarely interacts with other ingredients, making it a reliable and cost-effective component in many British high-street and pharmacy beauty formulas.

Key benefits

  • Forms a protective barrier to lock in moisture
  • Helps soften and smooth rough or dry skin
  • Improves product spreadability and texture
  • Non-greasy feel in well-formulated products
  • Enhances the stability and shelf life of formulations
  • Excellent emollient for lips and very dry areas

Best for

dry skin, very dry skin, mature skin, sensitive skin

Where it comes from

Paraffinum Liquidum is a highly refined mineral oil derived from petroleum. It is obtained through the distillation and purification of crude oil, resulting in a pure, stable hydrocarbon mixture used in cosmetics.

Products with Paraffinum Liquidum

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Paraffinum Liquidum than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

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