Mineral Oil for Hair: Benefits, Risks & Alternatives

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From olive oil to castor oil to coconut oil, it seems like half of the grocery store is trying to work its way into your scalp with claims of hair health benefits. And wouldn’t you know it, even the gas station is trying to get in on the hair-product action.

That’s right, we’re talking about mineral oil for hair health.

Mineral oil — a byproduct of petroleum — could protect your hair from damage, make your hair look shinier, and even kill off head lice.

There’s also a lot of chatter on the internet about the benefits of this oil. So, is mineral oil good for your hair or is mineral oil bad for hair? And what else are you supposed to use instead?

Read on as we drill into details.

Let’s start at bedrock.

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What Is Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil is a colorless, odorless liquid made by refining petroleum through several processes.

But much like crude oil and gasoline aren’t the same thing, the mineral oil in the medicine cabinet at your mom’s place has very little in common with a petroleum product like gasoline (although they’re both technically flammable).

You’ll most often see mineral oil used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, though it can also be used as a lubricant in industrial or household applications.

At the chemical level, mineral oil is a refined mixture of predominantly saturated hydrocarbons, which are organic compounds found in petroleum products.

That’s a lot of scientific jargon, and you’re probably wondering how all of this translates to the look, feel, and health of your hair.

Here’s what we know.

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Is Mineral Oil Good for Hair?

Mineral oil has fairly well-known benefits in skincare products. It’s a moisturizing agent that can increase skin softness and barrier function. Importantly, the mineral oil used in cosmetic and personal care products is highly refined (purified) and is not considered to pose a health risk.But what about your hair? Well, while there’s much research on the skincare benefits of mineral oil, there’s not as much research on its benefits for hair, but there are a few different ways people use mineral oil for hair.

The potential benefits of mineral oil for hair include:

  • Protecting your hair from damage. Mineral oil coats the hair shaft, which helps create a protective barrier. It can also reduce “combing force” by reducing friction. This means there’s less strain on your hair follicles when you comb or brush through your mane. This can reduce the amount of breakage, damage, and general hair loss from maintenance acts like brushing.

  • Enhancing hair shine and texture. Mineral oil leaves a thin film on the surface of your hair that comes off in your next shampoo session. In the meantime, it can tame frizz and make your hair look smoother and shinier.

  • Getting rid of head lice. A 2016 study found that a mineral oil shampoo was as effective at getting rid of lice as an insecticide-based shampoo. As well as being effective, the mineral oil shampoo was deemed safe and well-tolerated.

  • Preventing split ends. Mineral oil, like some other oils may help to reduce how many split ends form in your hair.

But as hair benefits go, mineral oil isn’t exactly the top of its class.

For instance, one study looked at the effects of mineral oil in comparison to coconut oil and sunflower oil.

It found that coconut oil reduced protein loss from hair, whereas both mineral oil and sunflower weren’t able to do this.

Mineral oil can’t penetrate the hair shaft, so it’s not as beneficial as oils that can work more deeply on your hair.

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Risks and Side Effects of Mineral Oil

Mineral oil used in cosmetics and personal care products isn’t considered to be a health risk because the mineral oil is highly refined (purified).

Unrefined/mildly refined types of mineral oil have been linked to an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer, particularly of the scrotum.

But, rest assured, these unrefined versions — used in automotive and other industrial contexts — aren’t the same as the highly refined cosmetic versions of mineral oil.

The main potential side effects of using mineral oil you’d use on your hair are:

  • Breakouts and acne — while it’s debated whether mineral oil itself directly causes breakouts, cosmetic and hair products containing mineral oil may trigger breakouts in individuals who are prone to acne. So be mindful of potential breakouts at the hairline if you have acne-prone skin.

  • Eye irritation — if you’re messy in your application.

  • Build up of mineral oil on the hair —it can be difficult to wash out especially if using a sulfate-free shampoo.

Other than that, there aren’t many reasons not to use mineral oil occasionally.

In our opinion, however, there also aren’t many reasons to use mineral oil in your hair in the first place.

You’re better off with alternative oils, natural hair care ingredients, or— if you’re looking for hair loss solutions — science-backed and effective treatments like medication and vitamins.

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Alternatives to Mineral Oil for Hair

While mineral oil’s pro-con ratio might be perfectly acceptable to you, if you’re seeing signs of, hair loss, or hair damage and want to treat it with effective, scientifically backed methods, consider putting down the mineral oil and using medication, vitamins, and other products instead.

Here’s what else you can try.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is at the top of our list, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts it pretty high on its list of effective treatments for certain types of hair loss as well. 2% topical solution and 5% foam are I FDA-approved to treat female pattern hair loss.

Sold under the brand name Rogaine®, minoxidil is believed to work by increasing blood flow to your hair follicles, which means that the cells working to create more hair get the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive.

Minoxidil is also available in oral form (Learn more about Oral Minoxidil), but its use for hair loss is off label as it has not been FDA approved for this purpose.

Finasteride

Oral finasteride — sold under the brand name Propecia® — is FDA-approved for male pattern baldness. In women, it is sometimes prescribed off-label as treatment for female pattern hair loss, usually for postmenopausal women only due to certain potential side effects.

Finasteride targets dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hair-hating hormone that’s linked to hair loss in both male and female pattern hair loss.

Vitamins and Supplements 

Vitamins and mineral supplements may have a place in your hair care routine.

They’re most effective when you have a known deficiency.

If you are deficient in a vitamin that’s essential for hair health, supplements can restore balance and get your hair back where you want it. (Learn more about Hair Vitamins and Supplements.)

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Mineral Oil and Hair Health: The Big Picture

Geranium oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, argan oil. The list goes on…and on. Oils are all the rage, but are they all they’re cut out to be?

Here’s what you need to know about mineral oil for hair:

  • Mineral oil may have some benefits. It could protect your hair, boost shine, reduce breakage and split ends, and even kill off head lice if that’s a problem for you.

  • There aren’t many risks to cosmetic mineral oil. You don’t need to panic about those cancer claims you might have seen online. The mineral oil you buy in the drugstore is very different from that found in the manufacturing world. The kind of mineral oil found in cosmetics has been deemed safe.

  • Other treatments may be more effective. While mineral oil can have certain benefits, if you are dealing with hair loss there are, treatments, including medications and supplements, available that can promote healthy hair growth.

Our advice? If you want to give damaged hair some TLC, tame frizzy hair, or hydrate dry hair, finding the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type can help.

If you’ve noticed hair thinning, increased hair fall, or anything else concerning up top, reach out to a healthcare professional. Mineral oil may not cut it.

While it probably won’t hurt to use mineral oil, it’s unlikely to make a significant difference if you’re looking for hair growth.

An expert can recommend the best treatments to help, which may include prescription medication or hair products containing ingredients with more scientific backing than mineral oil.

This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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