Mineral oil

Mineral oil (CAS 8042-47-5), also sold as white mineral oil or paraffin oil, is a highly refined petroleum-derived liquid used across personal care, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing. It functions as a lubricant, carrier, plasticizer, and moisture barrier depending on the grade and application context. In personal care and pharmaceutical manufacturing, highly refined grades serve as the base.

These grades are used in creams, ointments, baby oils, and topical formulations where consistent purity and skin compatibility are procurement priorities. Industrial-grade mineral oil lubricates machinery and metalworking equipment. It is also used in textile processing lines, reducing friction and extending equipment service life. In plastics and polymer processing, it acts as a plasticizer and processing aid, improving flexibility.

This improves workability in compounds such as PVC. Paper and leather finishing operations use it as a softening and conditioning agent to achieve specific surface and flexibility properties for the final product. Mineral oil is supplied as a clear, colorless liquid in drums, IBCs, and bulk tankers. It is available in food-grade (FCC), pharmaceutical-grade (USP, BP, Ph. Eur.), and technical/industrial grades.

Viscosity grades are the primary specification differentiator across applications. Buyers should confirm the viscosity range and refining level against their regulatory and formulation requirements before sourcing.