There are many terms used in marketing skin care products. The most commonly used are “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic.” In fact, these terms are not regulatory and no federally regulated test dictates their use.
These terms date back to a time when comedogenicity (clogging of pores) was determined by the response to applying product to the ears of rabbits. There was a grading system based on the clogging response to the product. Fortunately, this type of testing is no longer done.
“Oil-free” dates back to a time when mineral oil was industrial grade and extremely thick, impure and clogging. This has resulted in the demonization of mineral oil; you hear this repeated again and again even by dermatologists. Today, if mineral oil is used in cosmetic formulations, it is of a fine cosmetic grade that is completely different than the mineral oil originally responsible for the term.
