White oil exporter food grade, medical,pharma and cosmetic
What Is White Oil?
White oil, also known as white mineral oil or highly refined mineral oil, is an extremely pure, colorless, odorless, and non toxic petroleum derivative. Manufacturers produce it through deep refining and purification processes that remove aromatics, sulfur, and all harmful impurities. As a result, Highly refined mineral oil becomes chemically stable, safe for human contact, and suitable for sensitive industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food processing, and medical applications. Because of this high purity, white oil plays a critical role wherever safety, clarity, and consistency matter most.
General Specification of White Oil
White oil is not “white” in appearance. In reality, it is crystal clear and transparent. Its name reflects purity rather than color. Refiners produce this oil from selected petroleum feedstocks using advanced technologies such as hydrotreating and severe refining, which eliminate unstable or toxic components.
Because of this process, Highly refined mineral oil offers:
Excellent chemical and thermal stability
Neutral taste and smell
Very low sulfur and aromatic content
Safe performance in direct or indirect human contact
This purity makes Highly refined mineral oil a trusted base fluid across multiple regulated industries.
Key Physical and Chemical Properties
White oil stands out due to its refined structure and clean composition. It is:
Thin and clear
Free from visible impurities
Resistant to oxidation
Stable under heat and storage
Non reactive with skin and packaging materials
These properties ensure long shelf life, predictable performance, and consistent quality in industrial formulations.
Cosmetic Grade White Oil
Cosmetic Highly refined mineral oil is specifically refined for personal care products. Skincare manufacturers use it to protect, soften, and restore damaged or sensitive skin. Because it forms a breathable protective barrier, it helps prevent moisture loss without clogging pores.
Cosmetic grade white oil is widely used in:
Creams and lotions
Baby oils
Sunscreen and sun tan products
Makeup and makeup removers
Bath oils and massage oils
Products for aging or barrier damaged skin
Its safety profile and skin compatibility make it ideal for daily use cosmetic formulations.
White Oil vs Liquid Paraffin: Key Differences Explained
Many buyers ask about the difference between white oil and liquid paraffin. While they are related, they are not identical.
Composition
Liquid paraffin, also called mineral oil, comes from petroleum distillation and contains long chain hydrocarbons. Highly refined mineral oil is a further refined and purified form of mineral oil with almost all impurities removed.
Purity Level
Highly refined mineral oil undergoes extra purification steps such as bleaching and deodorization. Therefore, it offers higher purity than standard liquid paraffin.
Color and Odor
Liquid paraffin may appear slightly yellow and have a faint petroleum odor
Highly refined mineral oil is completely colorless and odorless
Applications
Liquid paraffin serves general industrial, pharmaceutical, and personal care uses. White oil is preferred when maximum purity is required, such as in cosmetics, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.
Regulatory Approval
White oil must meet stricter regulatory standards because it often comes into direct contact with food, skin, or medication. Authorities require higher safety and purity limits.
Toxicity and Safety
Both products are safe when used correctly. However, white oil’s deeper refining makes it more suitable for applications where minimal toxicity is critical.
Pharmaceutical Applications of Highly refined mineral oil
In the pharmaceutical industry, white oil acts as a safe and inert carrier. Because it does not react chemically in the human body, the body naturally eliminates it.
Common pharmaceutical uses include:
Laxatives
Ointments and pomades
Gelatin capsules
Medical lubricants
Veterinary medicines and animal vaccines
Only pharma grade Highly refined mineral oil is acceptable for these applications, as it must meet strict health and safety regulations.
White Mineral Oil and Human Safety
Highly refined mineral oil does not stay long inside the human body. Since it contains no chemically active groups, it passes through without reacting. This characteristic makes it ideal for medical and cosmetic use.
However, Highly refined mineral oil intended for cosmetic or pharmaceutical purposes must be free from hazardous substances. Direct or indirect human exposure demands the highest refining standards.
Uses of Highly refined mineral oil in the Food Industry
White oil plays an important role in food and beverage manufacturing, especially as a food grade lubricant.
Food producers use Highly refined mineral oil in:
Greases
Hydraulic system oils
Gear oils
Compressor oils
These lubricants may come into incidental contact with food. Therefore, manufacturers choose white mineral oil to minimize health risks. All food grade Highly refined mineral oils must comply with strict safety and hygiene regulations.
Application of White Oil in the Plastics Industry
Highly refined mineral oil improves flexibility, processing, and surface quality in plastics. Manufacturers commonly use it in:
Thermoplastic rubber (TPR)
PVC production
Polystyrene manufacturing
In addition, white oil appears in:
Polishes and glossing agents
Wood treatment products
Cleaning formulations
Lamp oils
Adhesives and glues
Toys and household products
As technology advances, the range of Highly refined mineral oil applications continues to expand.
Packaging Options for White Oil
Suppliers offer white oil in several secure and export friendly packaging formats:
New steel drums
ISO tanks
Flexi tanks
A standard 20 foot container typically holds:
80 drums when loaded in two rows
98 drums when an additional vertical row is added
This flexibility supports both bulk buyers and international shipments.
Top White Oil Suppliers
Highly refined mineral oil production and export is global. Major exporter countries and well known manufacturers include:
White Oil Technical Analysis and Specification
| Property | Typical Result | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C | 16–20 cSt | ASTM D 445 |
| Pour Point (Max) | −18 °C | ASTM D 97 |
| Flash Point | 190–200 °C | ASTM D 92 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.800–0.850 | ASTM D 1298 |
| Color (Saybolt) | 28–30 | ASTM D 156 |
| Sulfur Content | 0.002–0.01 wt% | ASTM D 129 |
| Carbon Residue | 0.001–0.005 wt% | ASTM D 189 |
| Aromatic Content | 0.1–0.5 % | Calculated |
| Initial Boiling Point | 390 °C | ASTM D 86 |
| Final Boiling Point | 470 °C | ASTM D 86 |
HS Code of White Oil
The HS code for white oil is 27101985, which applies to highly refined mineral oils used in industrial, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food grade applications.
Final Note
White oil starts its journey as crude petroleum and ends as a safe, refined, and versatile material used in medicine, cosmetics, food production, plastics, and daily consumer products. Its unmatched purity, stability, and regulatory acceptance make it one of the most valuable refined petroleum products in modern industry.
Q1: What is White Oil and what are its defining characteristics?
A: White Oil is an extremely refined mineral oil—colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly stable. It has had aromatic compounds, sulfur, and impurities removed to meet high purity standards for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and industrial applications. Specifications include: kinematic viscosity at 40 °C of 16-20 cSt, pour point max -18 °C, flash point in the range of 190-200 °C, and specific gravity approximately 0.800-0.850.
Q2: What are the common applications of Basekim’s Highly refined mineral oil?
A: Because of its high purity and safety profile, Highly refined mineral oil is used in pharmaceuticals (ointments, medical creams), cosmetics (lotion bases, baby products), personal care (lotions, cleansers), food processing (where direct or indirect contact with food occurs), and also in industrial sectors like plastics, polishes, lubricants, and toy manufacturing.
Q3: How does White Oil differ from liquid paraffin?
A: Highly refined mineral oil undergoes additional refining steps (bleaching, deodorizing) to remove color, odor, sulfur, and aromatics, while liquid paraffin is generally less refined. This makes White Oil more suitable where safety and purity are critical, such as food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic uses. Liquid paraffin may retain mild odor or color and has looser purity standards.