What do the Clean, Low, Watch and Swap levels mean?

They are cut from a continuous concern level the app computes from the sourced claims that the chosen evidence lens shows: each claim counts its concern class, tier weight, confidence and dose relevance, combined worst-first with a decay so one serious finding outweighs many small ones, then scaled by how much of the substance reaches you in this use. Clean is below 0.35, Low below 1.1, Watch below 2.0 and Swap above that, on a 0 to 3 scale.

Is Mineral Oil safe on skin (left on)?

Q: Is mineral oil safe on skin (left on)?

Under the app's default Cautious lens, mineral oil on skin (left on) rates Clean: nothing the lens shows adds concern. 1 sourced concern counts (irritant · allergen, emerging tier). 3 findings count in its favour. This is research with sources, not medical advice.

1 use researched5 sourced claims

Detox My Life researched mineral oil under one use, because the same substance means something different in each use. Every claim below carries its evidence tier, how sure the research is that it applies here, and the sources it cites. The level is computed by the app's own deterministic engine, so the page says exactly what the app would.

Level by use and lens

Use	Mainstream	Cautious (default)	Based	Concerns · favour · fringe
On skin, left on	Clean	Clean	Low	1 · 3 · +1

Mainstream shows consensus claims only; Cautious adds emerging research; Based adds fringe claims, labelled as such. The last column counts, under Cautious, the sourced concerns, the findings in its favour and the fringe claims Based would add.

Safer swaps: the app's swap catalog has no entry tied to this ingredient yet. When you scan a product that contains it, the app suggests cleaner alternative types for that product; the swap categories list what the catalog covers today.

On skin, left on Clean

Under the default Cautious lens mineral oil on skin (left on) rates Clean: nothing the lens shows adds concern. Mainstream (consensus only) rates it Clean; Based (adds the fringe) rates it Low. Researched 2026-09-28.

Sourced concerns (1)

EmergingIrritant · allergenconfidence 50%

Some experts suggest that while cosmetic-grade mineral oil is non-comedogenic, its occlusive nature can trap dirt, bacteria, and other impurities on the skin, potentially exacerbating existing acne or causing new breakouts, especially for oily or acne-prone skin.

Why here: The formation of a physical barrier on the skin surface can prevent particles from getting in or out, potentially disrupting the skin barrier and leading to inflammation.
What would have to be true: Regular dermal application of mineral oil-containing products.
The other side: However, multiple controlled studies and dermatological consensus indicate that cosmetic-grade mineral oil is non-comedogenic and its molecules are too large to enter follicles, making genuine pore-clogging rare. It is often recommended for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Sources the engine cites (no regulator, review or study among them):

1 web article (scanskinai.com), linked in the app.
3 community or commercial pages, not counted here.

In its favour (3)

ConsensusIn its favourconfidence 50%

Mineral oil acts as an effective occlusive moisturizer, forming a protective barrier on the skin to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and keep the skin hydrated and soft.

Why here: Its inert and non-absorbent nature allows it to create a superficial barrier on the skin surface, sealing in moisture.
What would have to be true: Dermal application as a leave-on product, such as creams, lotions, or ointments.

Sources the engine cites (no regulator, review or study among them):

2 web articles (ada-cosmetics.com, healthline.com), linked in the app.
2 community or commercial pages, not counted here.

ConsensusClearedconfidence 50%

Highly refined, cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not classified as carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 3), meaning it is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.

Why here: Cosmetic-grade mineral oil undergoes extensive purification processes, such as hydrotreatment and solvent extraction, to remove potentially carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are present in untreated or mildly refined mineral oils.
What would have to be true: Dermal application of highly refined mineral oil in cosmetic products.

Sources the engine cites:

Mineral oils and waxes in cosmetics: an overview mainly based on the current European regulations and the safety profile of these compounds - PubMed — nih.gov (2019) · regulator or public body
Mineral Oils (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Supplement7, 1987) - Inchem.org (1998) · regulator or public body
Questions and Answers on Mineral Oil in Cosmetic Products - BfR — bund.de (2015) · regulator or public body
2 web articles (ada-cosmetics.com, skinsensediary.com), linked in the app.
2 community or commercial pages, not counted here.

ConsensusClearedconfidence 50%

Cosmetic-grade mineral oil is generally considered non-allergenic and non-irritating, making it suitable for sensitive skin and often used in baby care products and eczema treatments.

Why here: Its inert chemical nature means it rarely triggers allergic reactions or skin irritation.
What would have to be true: Dermal application in leave-on cosmetic products.

Sources the engine cites (no regulator, review or study among them):

1 web article (drsikloskrisztina.hu), linked in the app.
2 community or commercial pages, not counted here.

Shown only in the Based lens (1)

Fringe claims: hypotheses and commentary that are not scientific consensus, each shown with the other side.

Fringe · not consensusEndocrineconfidence 50%

Some commentators argue that certain components of mineral oil can build up in the body from beauty products and potentially exacerbate hormonal imbalances, drawing parallels with studies on plant oils for estrogenic effects.

Why here: The hypothesis suggests systemic absorption and accumulation of mineral oil components from dermal application, leading to potential endocrine disruption.
What would have to be true: Long-term dermal exposure to mineral oil in beauty products.
The other side: However, highly refined mineral oils used in cosmetics do not penetrate human skin and are not systemically bioavailable, with no significant changes in the skin or effects on internal organ systems reported from topical application.

Sources the engine cites:

Questions and Answers on Mineral Oil in Cosmetic Products - BfR — bund.de (2015) · regulator or public body

Not researched here

The engine has no dossier for mineral oil when cooked with heat, in cold food, as a finishing ingredient, in heated food packaging or other uses. The app researches an ingredient for the use it infers from your product, so a scan fills these in; this page only shows what has already been researched and source-verified.

This is research, not medical advice. Detox My Life shows sourced claims sorted by evidence tier. It does not diagnose, treat, or tell you to start or stop anything. Talk to a qualified professional about your health.

Scan your own. The app reads any product label with your camera, works out how you are about to use it, and researches every ingredient for that use with live sources. Every scan adds to a Detox Score for your home, where 50 is a typical home in your region, and a plan of next swaps.

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