Helps protect skin: Its thick, viscous nature, makes for an excellent barrier on the skin to help prevent chaffing, nappy rash and other forms of skin irritation caused by friction and exposure to water-soluble irritants.

Occlusive and moisturising: The ability of Dimethicone to form a barrier on the skin also makes it effective for use as an occlusive. Occlusives help prevent moisture in the skin from evaporating.

Excellent skin moisturiser and conditioner: Moisturisers containing glycerin can produce long-lasting moisturisation by minimising water loss¹.

Helps protect against irritation: 10% Glycerine in a topical emulsion can help prevent the irritation and dehydration effects of washing the skin, including when Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is used as the detergent².

Helps to retain moisture in the skin: At high humidity, Glycerine acts as a humectant, while at low humidity it acts as a skin moisturiser and conditioner by inhibiting lipid phase transition².

1. Rawlings AV, Canestrari DA, Dobkowski B (2004) Moisturizer technology versus clinical performance. Dermatol Ther 17(suppl1): 49-565.

2. Greive K. Glycerine: The Naturally Effective Humectant. Dermatological Nursing 2012; 11(1): 30-34.

Safe for prolonged use: Critical analysis of studies into the toxicity of mineral oils such as Paraffinum Liquidum has shown that it is safe for prolonged use³.

Rarely causes allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to Paraffinum Liquidum are infrequent considering its widespread use in topical products⁴.

Non-comedogenic: Highly refined and purified mineral oils, such as Paraffinum Liquidum found in cosmetic and skincare products are non-comedogenic⁵ (does not clog pores).

Highly efficacious moisturising ingredient: Paraffinum liquidum keeps the skin moist and supple by providing a protective film and controlling the passage of water into and out of the skin⁶.

3. Nash JF, Gettings SD, Diembeck W, Chudowski M, Kraus AL. A toxicological review of topical exposure to white mineral oils. Food Chem Toxicol 1996; 34(2): 213-225.

4. Hunting ALL. Encyclopedia of Conditioning Rinse Ingredients. London: Micelle Press; 1987.p.280-281.

5. Lanzet M. Comedogenic effects of cosmetic raw materials. Cosmet Toiletries. 1986; 101: 63-72.

6. Rawlings AV and Lombard KJ. A review on the extensive benefits of mineral oil. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2012; 34: 511-518.

Contributes to skin barrier properties: It penetrates the uppermost stratum corneum layers, passing into the intercellular phase. Rather than integrating with the natural intercellular layer, it is distributed throughout the stratum corneum as a separate phase, thus contributing to the skin’s natural barrier properties⁷.

Reduces transepidermal water loss: The application of petroleum jelly to the skin in vivo can immediately reduce transepidermal water loss by 40-50%⁸.

Low irritancy rating: Widely recognised as being innocuous and non-allergenic⁹. Only rarely are sensitisation reactions reported¹⁰ and petrolatum presents few, if any, safety or toxicological problems¹¹.

7. Idson B. Dry Skin – Moisturising and Emolliency. Cosmetics and Toiletries. 107(7):69-78, 1992

8. Harry’s Cosmetology 8th edition. Ed. Reiger MM. Pub. Chemical Publishing Co, New York. 2000 p326,327

9. Braun-Falco, Plewig G, Wolff HH, Winkelmann RK. Dermatology. Published by Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 1991, p1146

10. Fisher AA. ‘Contact Dermatitis’ Third Edition p 148,149 (Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, 1986)

11. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. A joint publication of the American Pharmaceutical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Pub. The Pharmaceutical Press, London. 1986 p194-195.

Non-irritant: Usage levels range from 0.1% to greater than 50% and is a safe cosmetic ingredient as used in current practices and concentrations¹².

Moisturising: Commonly used in topical preparations as an emollient^13-14, lubricant and humectant¹³.

12. Final report on the safety assessment of squalane and squalene. Int J Toxicol 1982; 1(2):37-56.

13. Rosenthal ML. Squalane: the natural moisturizer. In: Schlossman MI, editor. The chemistry and manufacture of cosmetics.Illinois: Allured Publishing Corporation; 2002. p869-875.

14. Squalane. In: Sweetman SC, editor. Martindale the complete drug reference. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2007. 1850-1.

Helps maintain normal skin barrier function and reduces skin sensitivity: Topical application of 2% Nicotinamide has shown to improve the barrier properties of the skin and reduce skin sensitivity¹⁵.

Helps to moisturise dry skin¹⁶: The topical application of 2% Nicotinamide is shown to significantly reduce transepidermal water loss.

Helps to improve the appearance of skin tone and texture¹⁷: Topical application of 5% Nicotinamide was shown to improve the appearance of aged and photodamaged skin and a reduction in hyperpigmentation¹⁷.

15. Yakota T, Matsumoto M, Sakamaki T et al. Classification of sensitive skin and development of a treatment system appropriate for each group. IFSCC Magazine 2003; 6(4): 303-7.

16. Soma Y, Kashima M, Imaizumi A et al. Moisturising effects of topical nicotinamide on atopic dry skin. Int J Dermatol 2005 ; 43 : 197-202.

17. Matts PJ, Oblong JE and Bissett DL. A review of the range of effects of niacinamide in human skin. IFSCC Magazine. 2002; 5(4): 285-289.

Helps repair, protect and smoothe skin: Vitamin E has been found to help protect from UV-induced erythema^18-19 and roughness²⁰, improve the appearance of age spots, increase elasticity and skin barrier function²¹, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles²³.

Anti-pruritic: Topical Vitamin E has also been found to reduce irritation related itch²⁰.

Antioxidant: Vitamin E has been shown to be beneficial in preventing UV-induced free radical formation, protecting endogenous epidermal antioxidants and preventing lipid peroxidation^22-23. In addition, studies have shown that Vitamin E can reduce UVB induced erythema²³, and wrinkling^24-25.

18. Potapenko AY, Abieva GA, Pliquett F. Inhibition of erythema of the skin photosensitizes with 8-methoxypsoralene by α-tocopherol. Bull Exp Biol Med 1980;89:611-615

19. Dreher F, Denig N, Gabard B, Schwindt DA, Maibach HI. Effect of topical antioxidants on UV-induced erythema formation when administered after exposure. Dermatology 1999;198:52-55.

20. Möller H, Ansmann A, Wallat S. The effects of Vitamin E on the skin in topical applications. Lecture presented at the DGF Vitamin E symposium in Bochum, March 4,1989.

21. Idson B. Vitamins in emolliency and moisturizing preparations Cosmetics and Toiletries 1976;93(8):77-79.

22. Sorg O, Tran C, Saurat JH. Cutaneous vitamins A and E in the context of ultraviolet-or chemically-induced oxidative stress. Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology 2001;14:363-372.

23. Yuen KS, Halliday GM. Tocopherol, an inhibitor of epidermal lipid peroxidation, prevents ultraviolet radiation from suppressing the skin immune system. Photochemistry and Photobiology 1997;65(3):587-592.

24. Bissett DL, Chatterjee R Hannon DP. Protective effect of a topically applied anti-oxidant plus an anti-inflammatory agent against ultraviolet radiation-induced chronic skin damage in the hairless mouse. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 1992;43:85-92.

25. Bissett DL, Hillebrand GG, Hannon DP. The hairless mouse as a model of skin photoaging: its use to evaluate photoprotective materials. Photodermatology 1989;6:228-233.