Petroleum Derived Ingredients
Petroleum-Derived Ingredients in Skincare
These ingredients come from crude oil and are commonly found in lotions, creams, cleansers, skin therapeutics and “natural” products
1. Emollients & Occlusives (Petroleum-Based Moisturisers)
- Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly, Vaseline) – A byproduct of crude oil, used to create a moisture barrier. Sits as a layer on the skin. Doesn’t nourish skin.
- Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum) – A cheap filler that coats the skin like plastic, trapping bacteria damaging skin’s natural biome and preventing real hydration.
- Paraffin & Microcrystalline Wax – Used in balms and creams; creates an artificial smooth texture but offers no real skin benefits.
2. Surfactants (Foaming Agents & Cleansers)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – Harsh detergents that strip the skin’s natural oils, often contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane.
- Polysorbates (Polysorbate 20, 60, 80) – Made using ethylene oxide, a petrochemical, to create emulsifiers.
3. Synthetic Preservatives (Hidden Petrochemicals)
- Phenoxyethanol – A common paraben alternative derived from petroleum, often found in "natural" skincare.
- Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol – Used to retain moisture but can penetrate deeply, carrying toxins into the skin.
-
EDTA (Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA) – A stabiliser that binds metals but is non-biodegradable and pollutes waterways.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) – A petrochemical preservative masquerading as an antioxidant.
4. Artificial Fragrances & Colors
- Fragrance / Parfum – Can contain hundreds of undisclosed petroleum-based chemicals, including hormone disruptors like phthalates.
- FD&C Dyes (Synthetic Colors) – Derived from coal tar and petroleum, often linked to skin irritation and toxicity.
Hidden Petrochemical-Based “Nutrients” & Actives in Skincare
1. Synthetic Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid & Its Derivatives)
- Ascorbic Acid (Synthetic Vitamin C) – Typically derived from corn glucose that has been chemically processed with petroleum-based solvents like acetone or benzene.
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) – Created using phosphorylation, a chemical reaction involving petroleum-based phosphates.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) – Another synthetic form, made using industrial solvents.
- Ascorbyl Palmitate – A fat-soluble version of synthetic vitamin C, often made with petrochemical-derived palmitic acid.
Real Vitamin C Alternatives: Look for whole-plant extracts like Kakadu plum, camu camu, or amla berry, which contain naturally bioavailable vitamin C.
2. Synthetic Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate)
- Tocopheryl Acetate – Often made from petrochemical derivatives, unlike natural vitamin E (Tocopherol), which comes from wheat germ or sunflower oil.
- DL-Alpha-Tocopherol – A lab-made, petroleum-based version of vitamin E that lacks the full spectrum of benefits found in natural sources.
- Real Vitamin E Alternatives: Sunflower seed oil, wheat germ oil, and raspberry seed oil naturally contain vitamin E in its most bioavailable form.
3. Synthetic Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinoic Acid)
- Retinol – Most commercial retinol is synthesised from acetone and benzene derivatives.
- Retinyl Palmitate – A common synthetic form of vitamin A, made using petrochemical-derived palmitic acid.
- Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin) – Created in a lab using petrochemical solvents and stabilisers.
- Real Vitamin A Alternatives: Beef liver oil, egg yolk, and carrot seed oil provide naturally occurring vitamin A in a bioavailable form.
4. Synthetic B Vitamins
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – Often derived from ammonia and petroleum-based nicotinic acid.
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) – Lab-made from petrochemical-based propylene glycol.
- Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6) – Typically synthesized from coal tar derivatives.
Real B Vitamin Alternatives: Raw honey, royal jelly, grass-fed liver extract, and bee pollen naturally provide a full spectrum of B vitamins.
5. Synthetic CoQ10 (Ubiquinone)
- Ubiquinone (CoQ10) – Most CoQ10 used in skincare is synthesised from tobacco-derived chemicals and petroleum solvents.
Real CoQ10 Alternative: Cold-pressed wheat germ oil, organ meats, and fermented foods provide real, bioavailable CoQ10.
Why This Matters
Most skincare brands use cheap, synthetic versions of these vitamins because they’re stable, cost-effective, and easy to produce at scale—but they come from the same petrochemical sources as plastic and fuel.
Natural, bioavailable nutrients from whole-food sources are superior because they work with the body, rather than just sitting on the skin’s surface.
How to Spot These Ingredients on Labels
Brands often disguise these ingredients by using vague terms like "mineral-derived," "plant-identical," or "nature-identical" – but they still come from crude oil.
How Zero BS is Different
We believe in real nourishment, not synthetic shortcuts. Every ingredient in Zero BS products comes from nature, not a petroleum refinery.
No lab-made vitamins. No petrochemicals. Just real, bioavailable nutrients your skin actually recognises. We use Talloren, real tallow-based skincare with ZERO petrochemical ingredients—because your skin deserves true nourishment, not crude oil.