Evaluation of the Skin Sensitization Potential of White Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, and Gelled White Oil

The skin sensitization potential of a white mineral oil and petrolatum was evaluated using a guinea pig sensitization assay; a gelled white oil was evaluated in a human repeated insult patch test. The use of mineral oils and petrolatums in applications involving repeated skin exposures provided the incentive to evaluate the sensitization potential of these substances. Neither the white mineral oil nor petrolatum produced a sensitization reaction in guinea pigs as judged by the reactions produced after challenge at a virgin site by a nonirritat-ing dose. The white oil gel did not produce skin sensitization in humans. These results support the use of these products in applications involving prolonged and repeated skin contact.