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Baby oil was one of my first “beauty products.” I used baby oil to remove makeup because I saw my mom using it. I now use many other products instead, but baby oil is still a good low-cost treatment that can be used in a pinch.
Is baby oil good for skin? Baby oil can be good for the skin as a moisturizer, to prevent the skin from drying. Baby oil should be used sparingly or not at all on the face, however, because it can clog pores.
Baby oil, as the name suggests, is a skincare product for babies; however, it’s so versatile, many adults are starting to use it now.
It contains only a few ingredients, including mineral oil, some fragrance, and sometimes has other ingredients such as different vegetable oils, aloe vera, and enriched with vitamins such as vitamin E.
Read on to learn more about how baby oil is good for skin and many other benefits.
Is Baby Oil Good For Skin? 9 Benefits
Baby oil is mineral oil with added fragrance. Mineral oil is a lightweight, highly purified ingredient used in ointments, cold creams, baby lotions, and many other personal care and cosmetic products. Mineral oil helps keep the skin moisturized by reducing water loss.
The purified and highly refined mineral oil found in skincare products and cosmetic products is not highly comedogenic, which means mineral oil does not generally clog the pores; however, it could clog pores on the face depending on your skin type.
If you have an oily skin type, mineral oil could clog the pores on your face. This is one of the only side effects of using baby oil. Mineral oil is also a stable, inert compound. It is used in skin care products because it is less likely to cause irritation and doesn’t go bad in humid and hot conditions.
The most well-known baby oil brand is Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil and works just fine; however, there are many better options available such as The Moms Co Natural Baby Massage Oil:
It is common for people to use baby oil on their faces. You can use baby oil as a facial moisturizer to hydrate and smooth the skin on your face. But use caution on the face because baby oil can clog the pores if your face is oily or has an oily skin type.
If your pores get too clogged, it will lead to acne. The T-Zone area of the face is often where the biggest pores are and the risk of acne breakouts. So use caution and assess if it is causing any acne breakouts. If you do breakout, then stop using on the face.
I don’t recommend using baby oil on the face before you put on your makeup or in the morning.
In general, I would recommend putting this on before you go to sleep, and it will soak into your skin during the night. And when you wake up the next morning, you’ll have super moisturized skin. It will also give a nice glow and will look plump and fresh.
If you’re going to use baby oil as a face moisturizer, make sure you use a very light amount as it spreads fast and a little goes a long way. Many swear by baby oil as a facial moisturizer, but many have said it gave them acne.
So test the baby oil on a small patch of skin for a few days, assess carefully, and stop on the face if your face breaks out. The same goes for many other oils, such as coconut oil or petroleum jelly. Test out a bit on your face, and assess to ensure your face doesn’t break out.
To take your facial moisturizer to the next level, see our Best Moisturizers post to see which facial moisturizers are best for your specific skin type.
2. Dry Skin on Feet and Cracked Heels
Baby oil is also useful for moisturizing and healing dry skin on feet and cracked heels. If you have dry skin on your feet, often your heels get cracked and can make it very uncomfortable to walk.
If you are just not able to heal those cracks and crannies in your heels, you should definitely try baby oil because it is gentle and will help lock in the moisture. Add some baby oil (and coconut oil and petroleum jelly if desired) to a cotton ball or cotton swab to make it easier to spread on your feet.
If you have cracked heels or dry skin on your feet, gently massage it all over your feet each evening. Then put socks on and go to bed. The next morning when you wake up, you will wake up with softer feet, and after some time, the skin will gradually repair itself.
3. Chapstick for Dry and Chapped Lips
Do you experience dry or chapped lips? If you have dry skin, you likely experience dry lips as well. Just like for dry skin, baby oil is great for locking in moisture on dry lips or chapped lips.
This homemade baby oil mixture is excellent for dry, chapped lips. After a few days, your lips will heal and will be baby soft.
4. Hand Moisturizer for Dry Hands
Dry skin is very common on the hands because washing and using them all day dries them out. Baby oil is good for dry skin on the hands as a means to lock in moisture.
So if you have really dry or cracked skin on your hands and fingers, you can use baby oil to heal and protect. A lotion or cream can be a better option as it generally absorbs easier. You can add a lotion and then apply baby oil on top to lock in the moisture.
As mentioned earlier, with dry feet, a similar treatment for extremely dry hands is: before bed at night, apply baby oil all over your hands, then put on cotton gloves, go to sleep, and then next morning, your hands will be softer and the skin more hydrated.
You can even combine baby oil with coconut oil for an excellent hand moisturizer.
5. Massage Oil for Massage
Baby oil is also a perfect massage oil if you are more into spas and relaxing your body. It not only gives a nice flow to a massage, but it also gets absorbed into your body within a few seconds. Baby oil feels amazing on the skin and soothes any uneven patches.
It is a perfect oil for massaging your whole body, and your skin will feel fresh and relaxed. Apply the baby oil onto a cotton ball or cotton swab and massage it everywhere on your body. As mentioned earlier, baby oil has few side effects.
One of the side effects of baby oil is that it can clog your pores, so I advise avoiding massaging the face.
6. Body Oil for the Whole Body
Baby oil is also great to use for hydrating your skin after a warm water shower. Also, if you shave your legs in the shower or exfoliate it or something where you would need to replenish the moisture in your skin. Baby oil is an excellent go-to product, especially after shaving.
It smooths the skin and prevents irritation after shaving. If I apply this after getting out of a warm water shower, my legs are so smooth, and I love the feeling. My whole body, from head to toe, feels like it has a protective barrier.
Moisturizing regularly with baby oil will also help, over time, reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles, stretch marks, and fine lines. Regular moisturizing can also be great for hair growth.
7. Cuticle Oil for Fingernails
Baby oil is also great as a cuticle oil. You just grab a little bit on your finger and then apply the baby oil to your cuticles. Rub the oil around your fingers, and it will work just like a more expensive cuticle oil.
It will moisturize the skin around your nail, and it will improve the look of your overall fingernail area. It also strengthens and protects the nail from chipping or cracking.
Apply to your nails every night before bed, and you’ll see the results in just a few days. Mix the baby oil with some coconut oil for an excellent cuticle oil.
8. Makeup Remover for Cleansing & Removing Makeup
Other than moisturizing, the next most common use for baby oil is to use it as a makeup remover. I used baby oil when I started wearing makeup because I would watch my mom and my grandma, and they would both use it to remove their makeup.
When I started getting into makeup, I just wanted to be like them, so I started using baby oil.
Apply baby oil under and around your eyes. Baby oil is great for using on the skin, and it is an effective eye makeup remover. It will even remove waterproof eyeliner and waterproof mascara.
Just remember to use caution on the face because it can clog the pores. If you are prone to breaking out, you should not use baby oil on the face. The same applies to coconut oil. Coconut oil can certainly clog the pores, so avoid using it on the face if you have oily skin.
9. Skin Whitening Home Remedy
You can use baby oil to make your own home remedy skin whitening treatment. In a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of baby oil, add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and squeeze the juice from half a lemon (optional add in a drop of tea tree oil).
Mix well, apply on your face, leave it for 30 minutes, and then wash your face. The aloe vera, lemon juice, and optional tea tree oil will help reduce age spots, dark circles, and stretch marks, as well as brighten your overall complexion.
You can also use this remedy as a moisturizer without adding lemon to it. Apply after using a face wash to help lock in moisture to the skin.
Conclusion
So to revisit our initial question: Is baby oil good for skin? Baby oil is certainly good to use for the skin as a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. Just use caution when using it on the face, as it can clog the pores.
There aren’t many side effects of using baby oil. One of the only side effects is that it can clog your pores, especially if you have oily skin.
Baby oil is essentially just mineral oil with added fragrance. Mineral oil is a highly purified ingredient used in cold creams, baby lotions, and many other personal care products. Mineral oil helps lock in moisture to the skin and keep it hydrated.
The purified mineral oil found in products is not highly comedogenic, which means mineral oil does not generally clog the pores; however, it could clog pores on the face.
If you have oily skin, mineral oil could clog the pores on your face. Mineral oil is used in skincare products because it is less likely to cause irritation.
