You wake up in the morning to the alarm sounding. Time to rise and shine. You may not be thinking about the oil industry as you shuffle into the bathroom, but it is about to help you get ready for the day. First things first, brush those teeth. Your toothpaste gets its color from dyes made with petroleum. Rinse, spit, and get those contacts in so you can see what you look like this morning. Have you ever wondered what makes contacts so malleable and comfortable in your eyes? You should. They get those qualities by being made from a petroleum-based polymer.
Time for a shower. As you wash your hair, remember most hair care products contain ingredients derived from petroleum. The fragrance in the shampoo, as well as perfumes and colognes, come from petroleum. Plus, the shampoo bottle and cap are plastic, which is made from petroleum.
As the steam clears, it’s time to tackle the other odors in your life. While pulling the lid off the deodorant you can thank the oil industry for that as well. Most deodorants and antiperspirants contain propylene glycol, a liquid compound derived from petroleum and natural gas. These soften the solid varieties and make application easier.
Nearly all cosmetics contain some form of mineral oil. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum. Also found in most cosmetics, especially lipsticks, is paraffin, also known as petroleum wax. You might be able to guess where that comes from. Like deodorants, the paraffin in lipsticks helps it remain solid, yet soft.
During the rest of your day you might run into a few other items from the oil and gas industry:
- Crayons
- Eyeglasses
- Disinfectants
- Cortisone
- Antihistamines
- Dentures
- Denture adhesives
- Hearing aids
All this information might be a little mind-blowing. If you get a headache and take aspirin just remember, they have petroleum products in them so you don’t get a stomach ache while it cures your the pain in your head. If they are coated for easier swallowing … Well, I think you get the idea.
