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Mineral oil

Is derived from petroleum, and rarely causes allergic reactions. Keep in mind that petroleum is a "natural" substance that comes from the earth. Pharmaceutical grade has no resemblance the the original petroleum from witch it came. Pharmaceutical grade, is considered the most safest, most moisturizing ingredient found.
Sources: Cosmetics & Toiletries, Jan 2001, page 79.
Cosmetic Dermatology, Sept 2001, pages 44-46.
Journal of Dermatologic Science May 2008, pages 135-142.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Oct 2007, pages 385-390.

It's use is certified as either USP ( United States Pharmacopeia ) or BP ( British Pharmacopeia )

Rusty, sorry to leave you out of this part of the discussion, but will get back with thoughts about microwaves!
 
Yes lanolin can be an allergen. Yes, "contains lanolin" was a marketing buzzphrase for a long time. Fact, the amounts were vanishingly/ineffectively small, on the order of tenths of a percent. Xenolin is >3% lanolin. Is that hard to balance with surfactants? Yes.

But I knew a little trick many of us launderists do. Say it with me: PHOSPHATES! Diammonium phosphate. Whoo-hoo! It's impossible to balance 3% lanolin with triethanolamine stearate alone. Who'da thunk?

Well actually Kendall thunk, sometime shortly after WW2. I discovered their formula in the early 50s. Yes my skin was bad when I was 8yo. Their stuff helped and was unobjectionable to use. Natcherly I became addicted to it. Byemby Colgate bought it, then discontinued it in the early 90s. I even called them, if they'd sell me some anyway or tell me how to make it. No and no. That pissed me off so I bought everything on the ingredient list, researched cosmetic chemistry to come up with coarse proportions, then brewed a hundred batches in my kitchen over 2 years until I got it, not only right, but better (the 3% thing). Then had a manufacturing chemist reproduce it in bulk. Took 5 batches--hundreds of $ each--to get it right. Now THAT'S a hobby.

And that's Asperger's. I'm no genius, but if you piss me off I'm as smart as I need to be. [grin]
 
Now for the plant oils

Provided that they are non volatile plant oils...olive, safflower, soybean, grape seed, avocado, caster, ect.
But remember M.O is also a non volatile oil, it just not derived from plants. Other oils like mink, and emu, are non volatile.

Often times, plant oil emulsions (oil in water) that strictly use only plant oils, also scent their products with volatile plants oils. That can be extremely problematic. And even those who do not, still have to use a chemical preservative in the product. They'd have huge lawsuits on their hands with out.

To make a oil in water emulation, or water in oil emulsion for that matter, there needs to be a what you might call a "heat & hold period" This has to happen regardless if the oils are plant, or otherwise.
The purpose is to kill any bacteria, mold, or fungus that may be present. The water needs to also go through this same "heat & hold" process, for the same reason.
Some of the beneficial properties in the oils are changed by this heat. However it's far too dangerous to skip the process.
There is at this time, no natural preservative that can be an effective antibacterial, anti fungal, preservative, at least that can be trusted. That can only be done with a chemical. (Germall Plus is an example, if you wish to Google it)

In other words, the possible contamination is dealt with in the first place (heat & hold) then into sterilized containers, the chemical mixed into the formula to prevent bacteria from growing, and spoiling. Poured into the container, then sealed with sterile lids. The preservative also helps prevent bacterial, fugal growth, from cross contamination, from normal handling, sticking your fingers in the jar ect.

Aloe Vera, while very healing, and possessing anti inflammatory qualities, would also suffer the consequences. (Heat)
Better off having a plant around, so that the gel could be use directly from the plant.

I guess my point is, just because it's made from plants, dose not mean its better, or more beneficial for skin.

When checking a ingredient list on a label, be aware that the chemical preservative is sometimes hidden in the fragrance. (Their sneaky)

The only time a preservative can be left out, is when the product is all oil. Once water is added there has to be something to stop unwanted growth.
 
Now for the plant oils

Provided that they are non volatile plant oils...olive, safflower, soybean, grape seed, avocado, caster, ect.
But remember M.O is also a non volatile oil, it just not derived from plants. Other oils like mink, and emu, are non volatile.

Often times, plant oil emulsions (oil in water) that strictly use only plant oils, also scent their products with volatile plants oils. That can be extremely problematic. And even those who do not, still have to use a chemical preservative in the product. They'd have huge lawsuits on their hands with out.

To make a oil in water emulation, or water in oil emulsion for that matter, there needs to be a what you might call a "heat & hold period" This has to happen regardless if the oils are plant, or otherwise.
The purpose is to kill any bacteria, mold, or fungus that may be present. The water needs to also go through this same "heat & hold" process, for the same reason.
Some of the beneficial properties in the oils are changed by this heat. However it's far too dangerous to skip the process.
There is at this time, no natural preservative that can be an effective antibacterial, anti fungal, preservative, at least that can be trusted. That can only be done with a chemical. (Germall Plus is an example, if you wish to Google it)

In other words, the possible contamination is dealt with in the first place (heat & hold) then into sterilized containers, the chemical mixed into the formula to prevent bacteria from growing, and spoiling. Poured into the container, then sealed with sterile lids. The preservative also helps prevent bacterial, fugal growth, from cross contamination, from normal handling, sticking your fingers in the jar ect.

Aloe Vera, while very healing, and possessing anti inflammatory qualities, would also suffer the consequences. (Heat)
Better off having a plant around, so that the gel could be use directly from the plant.

I guess my point is, just because it's made from plants, dose not mean its better, or more beneficial for skin.

When checking a ingredient list on a label, be aware that the chemical preservative is sometimes hidden in the fragrance. (Their sneaky)

The only time a preservative can be left out, is when the product is all oil. Once water is added there has to be something to stop unwanted growth.
 
Sorry guys for the double post.

Arbilab
Just wanted to add, Lanolin as use a as a super fat in soap at 3% seems to be just right as well.
Too much more starts killing the lather. For those who aren't allergic, with dry skin, seem to love it.
 
As with comedy, delivery is everything. [grin]

Oh my, there are bacteria that will grow in nothing but oil. Even in diesel or jet fuel. The summabitches are insidious. To conform with formulary, Xenolin includes subpercentages of parabens. Though the urea and diammonium are also preservatives, along with being humectants and surfactants.

I mean like, that's why the schtuff works as well as it does and remains shelf-stable going on 20 years. Can YOU do that? Kinda joshing, but CAN you?
 
Full disclosure, when I did this in 1995 I didn't realize that it was quadruple preserved, thus the 20yr shelf life. Subsequent research revealed that.

Good for a giggle this far along. I thought I was smart but I was smarter than I thought I was. I still live in a government retirement institution, which goes to show you what 'smartness', even inadvertant, is worth. [choose smiley]
 
LOL

No I can't sit on shelf for 20 years!

What I was referring to was a anhydrous cream. A formula that goes something like this..

Mineral oil
Petrolatum
Paraffin
Ceresin
Beta Carotene

Of course this would be heated first (to kill the nasties) and then poured into sterile jars. But since there is no water, there isn't a need for a preservative. Hopefully the person using, would remove the product with a clean spatula, or at least wash their hand before sticking there finger in!

I have heard of a CO that is, or has researched a natural preservative made from grapefruit (not grapefruit sees extract)
Citromed.. Or Cirtramed ..I think. I believe this was done in 2008, but have not seen, or heard the results.
The CO was in Norway.
 
Yes, water is the biggest bugaboo. Most of these things are made at 165F, around the temp that chicken (salmonella factories) become safe to eat. But as I understand, the very air around us contains microorgasms (sic) which sucked back into the bottle after dispensing, contaminates the contents. And as above, there are bacteria which thrive in nothing but oil. Why you always see TWO parabens, one for water, one for oil.

Both urea and diammonium slowly release ammonia so I probably could have left the parabens out (they're nasty but their percentages are 0.1 and 0.05). However, they are standard practice in such preparations. There are less noxious alternatives, say citric acid, but I had no idea what that would do to the emulsion. I told George (manufacturing chemist) to add industry-standard preservatives and that's what he did.

Anecdotally, I had a batch made by another (less reputable) lab. Their sample was perfect but their product was abominable. I came to find out (George told me) that they typically multiply their parabens X10 because their process is sloppy. Good thing I paid with VISA and could reject the entire shipment as misrepresented. Their stuff literally burned sensitive areas. I tested the final product everywhere, including rubbing it in my eyes, before releasing it upon the public. Unlike most in business today, I had ethics. As a business I failed, but I did no harm.
 

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