The reason the FDA says mineral oil is safe is because, generally, the type used in beauty products has been highly refined. This matters because when mineral oil is manufactured, it can be contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are known carcinogens while others are considered potential carcinogens. The refining process, when done completely and properly, completely removes PAHs. However, it is common for mineral oil products to not be fully refined, at least in the U.S., and unless the company provides the entire refining history of the product in question, it is very difficult to prove that it is safe (madesafe.com).
If you would like a more natural alternative to mineral oil for smoothing and moisturizing your hair, try coconut oil, argan oil, and olive oil. When you are buying beauty products, you can check the labels to ensure you are using the safest types of oils available to both get the soft tresses you want and avoid the potential chemicals you don't.
