Foots Oil, White Oil, Paraffin Wax & Liquid Paraffin – A Complete Guide
A practical comparison of four key petroleum-derived products — their properties, applications, standards, and how to choose the right one for your industrial, pharmaceutical, or food-grade needs.
Introduction
Foots Oil, White Oil, Paraffin Wax, and Liquid Paraffin are all refined petroleum products — but they serve very different purposes in industry.
This guide focuses not on fluctuating lab specs, but on real-world applications, regulatory compliance, and performance in final products — helping you make a confident, informed decision.
1. Foots Oil – The Industrial Workhorse
Form: Liquid or semi-solid, depending on oil content
Key Characteristics:
- High chemical stability
- Low aromatic and sulfur content
- Excellent lubricity and adhesion
- Thermal resistance
Best Applications:
- Industrial Lubricants: Metalworking fluids, gear oils
- Rubber Processing: Plasticizer and processing aid
- Textile Industry: Fiber finish, softener
- Adhesives & Sealants: Modifier for viscosity and tack
Processing Methods: Blending, direct application, hot dipping.
Why Choose Foots Oil?
When you need a stable, low-aromatic base for industrial formulations where purity is important but not food-grade.
2. White Oil – The Food-Grade Standard
Available Grades: Cosmetic Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade
Standards: ISO 9001, NSF H1 (Food Grade), BP, USP, FCC (Pharmaceutical)
Key Characteristics:
- Odorless, tasteless, colorless
- Ultra-purified — meets food and pharma regulations
- Chemically inert and non-toxic
- Stable under heat and light
Best Applications:
- Food Industry: Release agent, conveyor belt lubricant, pan coating
- Pharmaceuticals: Tablet coating, ointment base, capsule lubricant
- Cosmetics: Skin creams, lip balms, baby oils
- Medical Devices: Lubricant for syringes, catheters
Processing Methods: Direct use, blending with other excipients.
Why Choose White Oil?
When you need a safe, pure, and certified material for human contact — especially in food, pharma, or personal care.
3. Paraffin Wax – The Versatile Solid
Form: Solid blocks or flakes
Key Characteristics:
- Customizable melting point (50–70°C)
- Water-repellent and electrically insulating
- Non-reactive and odorless
- Can be blended with additives (UV stabilizers, dyes)
Best Applications:
- Candle Making: Base wax for pillar, container, and votive candles
- Food Packaging: Coating for cheese, fruit, paperboard
- Industrial: Rust prevention, mold release, waterproofing
- Cosmetics: Lipstick, cream bases, hair removal waxes
Processing Methods: Melting, casting, coating, blending.
Why Choose Paraffin Wax?
When you need a solid, customizable material for molding, coating, or insulation — with high purity and safety.
4. Raw Liquid Paraffin – Industrial Grade Feedstock
Form: Clear, colorless liquid
Grade: Industrial Grade (Feedstock for further refining)
Key Characteristics:
- High purity with low sulfur and aromatic content
- Stable under heat and light
- Non-toxic and non-irritating (for industrial use)
- Serves as base material for producing White Oil and Pharmaceutical Grade Liquid Paraffin
Best Applications:
- Industrial Lubricant: For machinery, precision instruments
- Textile Industry: Fiber finish, anti-static agent
- Rubber & Plastics: Processing aid, plasticizer
- Feedstock: For refining into White Oil or Pharmaceutical Grade products
Processing Methods: Direct use, blending, or further purification.
Why Choose Raw Liquid Paraffin?
When you need a high-purity hydrocarbon feedstock for industrial applications or downstream refining into higher-grade products.
Application-Based Comparison
| Application | Recommended Type | Why? | Risk of Wrong Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Contact Lubricant | White Oil (NSF H1) | Certified safe for incidental food contact | Regulatory violation, health risk |
| Candle Production | Paraffin Wax | Customizable melt point, clean burn, good scent throw | Poor burning, soot, inconsistent quality |
| Rubber Plasticizer | Foots Oil | High compatibility, low cost, good performance | Reduced flexibility, premature aging |
| Baby Oil | Pharmaceutical Grade Liquid Paraffin (USP/BP) | Pure, safe, non-irritating for sensitive skin | Skin irritation, legal issues |
| Textile Lubricant | Raw Liquid Paraffin (Industrial) | Good lubricity, low residue, cost-effective | Over-lubrication, fiber breakage |
| Waterproofing Paper | Paraffin Wax | Excellent water barrier, easy to apply | Poor adhesion, flaking |
How to Choose the Right Product?
Ask these key questions:
- Is it for human contact? → Use Pharmaceutical Grade Liquid Paraffin (USP/BP) for ingestion or dermal use. For indirect food contact, use White Oil (NSF H1).
- Solid or liquid? → Paraffin Wax (solid), Liquid Paraffin (liquid)
- End-use environment? → Heat, UV, moisture, chemicals?
- Regulatory requirements? → NSF H1 (food), USP/BP/FCC (pharma), or industrial specs?
- Need customization? → Paraffin Wax can be tailored for melting point, color, additives.
- Budget considerations? → Foots Oil and Raw Liquid Paraffin are more economical than premium grades.
Real-World Usage Examples
- Nigerian Cosmetics Brand: Uses Pharmaceutical Grade Liquid Paraffin (USP) as base for baby oil — meets international safety standards and has high customer trust.
- Egyptian Candle Factory: Uses Paraffin Wax with custom dye — produces vibrant, consistent candles for export.
- Indian Pharma Company: Uses White Oil for tablet coating — complies with NSF H1 and reduces sticking.
- South African Rubber Plant: Uses Foots Oil as plasticizer — improves flexibility without compromising durability.
- Vietnamese Textile Mill: Uses Raw Liquid Paraffin (Industrial) as fiber finish — enhances smoothness and reduces static.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: While both are derived from refined mineral oil, they represent different stages in the production chain:
- Definition:
• Raw Liquid Paraffin: An industrial-grade feedstock, often referred to as “crude liquid paraffin”. It is not intended for direct human use.
• White Oil: A highly refined product suitable for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications where safety and purity are critical. - Refining Level:
Raw Liquid Paraffin undergoes initial refining but is not purified to human-safety levels. It can serve as a feedstock for producing White Oil through additional processes like hydrotreating, clay filtration, and deodorization. - Purity & Standards:
• Raw Liquid Paraffin: High purity for industrial use — no pharmacopeial compliance.
• White Oil: Meets NSF H1, BP, USP, and FCC standards for incidental or direct human contact. - Applications:
• Use Raw Liquid Paraffin for:
– Textile lubrication
– Rubber/plastic processing
– As a raw material for refining into higher-grade oils
• Use White Oil for:
– Food-grade lubricants
– Cosmetic bases (creams, lotions)
– Pharmaceutical excipients (ointment bases, tablet coatings)
In Summary:
“Raw Liquid Paraffin” is an industrial precursor — not a consumer product. “White Oil” is its highly refined, safe-for-human-use counterpart.
→ Think of it as: Raw Liquid Paraffin → [Further Refining] → White Oil.
A: No — it’s not certified for food contact. Use White Oil instead.
A: Yes — when properly refined and used in cosmetic-grade formulations.
A: No — Raw Liquid Paraffin is not suitable for internal use. However, Pharmaceutical Grade Liquid Paraffin (USP/BP) is commonly used as an over-the-counter laxative.
A: Yes — we can adjust melting point, add colors, or blend with additives based on your needs.
📌 Need help selecting the right product for your application?
We supply Foots Oil, White Oil (Cosmetic & Pharmaceutical Grades), Paraffin Wax, and Raw Liquid Paraffin (Industrial Grade Feedstock) — with full technical support.
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