(Heavy Liquid Paraffin Refined)

Other names include Heavy Liquid Paraffin; Heavy Liquid Petrolatum; Heavy Mineral Oil; Heavy White Mineral Oil; Mineral Oil, Heavy; Paraffin, Heavy Liquid; Paraffinum Perliquidum

Baby oil is actually mineral oil with an added fragrance. Note that while mineral oil can be substituted for baby oil, baby oil should not be substituted for mineral oil. The added fragrance is not edible and may cause allergic reactions in some people.

2. Reduce Rashes

Mineral oil can be used to prevent diaper rash and soothe other types of skin irritation such as skin burns from radiation therapy.

3. Remove Oil-Based Makeup

Use mineral oil to remove theatrical makeup (greasepaint) with ease. Mineral oil is also great for removing makeup without pulling at the delicate skin around the eyes. As an added bonus, it also works as a conditioner for brows and eyelashes, making them less prone to breakage.

4. Moisturizer

Although there is a huge amount of beauty propaganda devoted to describing mineral oil as pure evil in a bottle, contrary to popular belief, mineral oil does not cause acne or blackheads. Its molecular structure is too large to penetrate pores, so it moisturizes by creating a barrier on top of the skin that keeps moisture in and dry air out.

5. Protect Skin in Freezing Weather

Old-time arctic explorers went out of their way to avoid washing their faces to preserve the protective layer of natural skin oil to prevent chapping. Because it provides such a good barrier against the elements, mineral oil is a great product to protect exposed skin in cold climates.

6. Soften Cracked Feet

Are your heels super dry? Regularly slather your feet with mineral oil at bedtime to keep the skin supple and crack-free. (Cover your oily feet with socks to keep your sheets clean).

7. Remove Temporary Tattoos

Pour mineral oil on a rag and gently rub the ink off.

8. Remove Oil and Latex Paint and Primer From Skin

Using a rag that has been dipped in mineral oil, gently rub the paint spots in a circular motion to remove them from skin. Also, if you apply mineral oil to your skin before painting, the little paint specks rub right off.

9. Dislodge Earwax

Place a few drops of body temperature mineral oil in the ears before bedtime for up to five days. Once the wax has softened, rinse ears with warm water (this can be as simple as tilting your head in the shower), then, tip your head so the wax can drain out. Dry your ears with a hair dryer set on low.

10. Treat Ear Mites in Dogs

Mineral oil is a non-toxic method of killing ear mites in dogs. Mineral oil works by smothering the mites, but as with humans, mineral oil is also good for loosening hard earwax and buildup in your dog's ears that can cause distress. Use an eyedropper to put several drops of oil in each ear. Instead of sticking the eyedropper into the ears, massage your dog's ears to move the oil down the entire ear canal.

Fair warning: your dog will want to shake its head, so do this in the bathroom, where spattering oil and earwax can be wiped down.

11. Kill Aphids

You can use a homemade plant spray recipe of dishwashing liquid, water, and mineral oil.

12. Remove Gum and Wax From Hair

Work mineral oil into the gum and affected hair until all the gum comes off easily, without pulling. Also, if you have the personal fortitude to wax your own bikini line, you can remove stubborn wax residue with mineral oil.

13. Ouch-Free Bandage Removal

Saturate the bandage with mineral oil. Working from the outside edge of the bandage, slowly peel the bandage away from the skin, applying more oil as needed.

14. Remove Stickers

Mineral oil is a good solvent for removing glues from non-porous surfaces. Use it to remove price tags from dishware and furniture, for example. Or, use it to remove a bumper sticker from a car without damaging the paint job.

15. Laxative

Mineral oil is possibly the least yummy laxative — but it beats not pooping. Mineral oil works as a stool softener and as a lubricant laxative by making it harder for your intestines to pull the water out of your stool. While cheap and effective, mineral oil should not be used to medicate constipation in children younger than six or people who are bedridden.

16. Wood Conditioner

Many commercial lemon oil furniture polishes are just mineral oil with lemon scent. Plain old mineral oil will give your wood the exact same look without the added smell and cost.

17. Season Wood Cutting Boards and Kitchen Tools

Oil-treated wood is more hygienic. Dried out wood develops tiny cracks which are a favorite hiding spot for bacteria. To extend the life of wood cutting boards, utensils, and salad bowls, wipe them down with a liberal application of mineral oil. Reapply oil until the wood cannot absorb any more. Wipe off excess oil with a rag. Mineral oil is a superior coating for wood cooking tools because, unlike olive or vegetable oils, it won't go rancid.