Summary
Mineral oil, a petroleum derivative commonly found in cosmetics and laxatives, poses significant health risks by depleting fat-soluble vitamins from the body. This depletion can occur both through internal consumption and topical application on the skin. Dr. Berg warns against its use and highlights over 70 hidden names it may appear under in product ingredient lists.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid mineral oil — it is a petroleum derivative used in cosmetics and laxatives with over 70 hidden names on ingredient labels
- Mineral oil depletes fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) both internally and when applied to the skin
- When applied topically, mineral oil can “bleach out” fat-soluble vitamins from the skin, causing imbalances
- Vitamin A deficiency linked to mineral oil use may contribute to acne and poor skin function, as well as issues with the linings of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines
- Vitamin D is essential for bone health and calcium transportation
- Vitamin K1 supports blood clotting; Vitamin K2 helps transport calcium to appropriate tissues
- Vitamin E plays a key role in sex hormone production and heart health
- Fat-soluble vitamins are also critical for immune function, sinus health, and vision
Details
What Is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oil is a petroleum-derived substance widely used in:
- Cosmetic products (moisturizers, lotions, baby oil)
- Over-the-counter laxatives
It appears under more than 70 different names on product labels, making it difficult for consumers to identify and avoid.
How Mineral Oil Depletes Nutrients
Because mineral oil is a fat-based, non-digestible substance, it acts as a solvent that binds to fat-soluble vitamins and pulls them out of the body. This occurs:
- Internally — when consumed (e.g., as a laxative), it strips fat-soluble vitamins from the liver and digestive tract
- Topically — when applied to skin, it depletes vitamins stored in skin tissue
Consequences of Each Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiency
| Vitamin | Key Functions Affected |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Skin health, acne, gut lining integrity (esophagus, stomach, intestines), immune function, sinus health, vision |
| Vitamin D | Bone health, calcium transportation |
| Vitamin K1 | Blood clotting |
| Vitamin K2 | Calcium transport to correct tissues (bones, not arteries) |
| Vitamin E | Sex hormone regulation, heart health |
Connection to Accutane
Dr. Berg notes that Accutane, a pharmaceutical drug used to treat acne, is itself a form of vitamin A. This highlights how critical vitamin A is for skin function — and why depleting it through mineral oil use could contribute to acne and other skin conditions.
Practical Recommendation
- Check ingredient labels for mineral oil and its many hidden names before purchasing cosmetics or laxatives
- Avoid both internal and topical use of mineral oil to preserve fat-soluble vitamin levels