Mink Oil

Mink oil, obtained from the fatty deposits under the skin layer of minks, is used in many ways, especially as a cosmetic product. It can also be used to maintain leather boots, keeping them in good condition for a long time. Find out how to use this oil for your desired purpose...

Mink oil has a lot of benefits, that are most commonly linked to , where it is used as a moisturizer to protect skin, and keep it supple. It gives the skin a smooth appearance, also avoiding it from being easily prone to damage. Minks or Mustelidae, were widely found in areas of the Norther hemisphere. Minks are related to weasels, and have long curvy wiggly bodies, and easily adapt to water and land. Fur, which is a much loved texture, as mink coats for women and even stoles, find minks as the most sought after source of high quality fur. Minks are not always slaughtered for their fat layers to make the oil, but are in some places removed from the abdominal area, where there's a lot of this fat, extracted in small amounts through a syringe. Here we give you an in depth information on how this rare oil is used worldwide.

What is Mink Oil?

Mink oil is basically fat that is broken down into a smooth oil, which is used in and even for keeping leather boots' skin in top notch shape. Besides being related to weasels, the family line also consists of otters. The American mink's fur is expensive and luxurious, used for making as well, and this is done through 'fur farming'. Although found to be an act that is condemned as inhumane, there have been animal rights activists trying to shun the idea from these mink fur farmers and those that are spotted in mink fur. Due to this overindulgent form of farming, the sea mink which was also sought after for its fur, is now an extinct species.

Mink Oil Uses and Benefits

Mink oil has a lot of uses that it caters for; find out how this oil is used in many ways, when it comes to everyday use.

Cosmetics
Some cosmetic companies infuse mink oil into the product's core ingredients, as it is known for shielding one's skin from damage. In women first apply mink oil over the skin, before putting make up on or mixing a little of it in foundation, which is known to procure better results.

Hair Care Products
It is incorporated in products where mink oil for hair care is another very well known use, like in hair sprays and shampoos. It provides good hold, luster and an overall smooth feel and look. Companies like TouchOfMink, really know how to use this to their advantage when compiling together a myriad of products to assist you in taking care of your hair and skin. When natural oils deplete from one's hair, mink oil is used in moisturizing shampoos, to replace these essential hair oils. Conditioners and oil treatments have mink oil in them as well.

Skin Care Products
It helps repair reddened, dry, oily, scaly and rough skin, and is used as a moisturizer. It isn't oily in nature, eliminating that greasy effect when one applies it. Fur trappers found that when mink fat came into contact with their hands, they saw how soft it made them feel. It is now sold where the oil is merged with cosmetic properties, or even in its pure form.

Leather Boots Care
boots was first used by fur trappers, who found that by applying mink oil to their boots, it made it more flexible, and waterproof. It is used in where the sebum of these minks, prove to be a good way of using it for leather care, making them last longer, and pack in that sheen effect rather than giving it that dull appearance. It is mixed with beeswax, to further make its effects stronger. It is also used for polishing handbags, car seats, saddles and briefcases. Let's see how to use mink oil for leather.

What You'll Need

• Soft cloth
• Hair dryer

Method

• The first step is to slightly warm the boots using either a hair dryer or another source of heat for a couple of minutes to allow it to absorb the oil better once applied.
• Paper towels can be used to apply the mink oil, or you could use any kind of cloth like chamois or ordinary cotton.
• Use the cloth against your fingers and apply the mink oil paste to it, until you see it being absorbed by the leather.
• It should turn clear, when applied to the boots, so you know it's been absorbed.
• Do one part of the boot at a time, and not all at once, till the whole boot is evenly covered by mink oil.
• When you're done, keep the boots to rest overnight, so that it can dry up, and the following morning repeat the same steps as above, another time.

Other Factors and Uses

• Some leathers can turn a shade darker after the use of mink oil.
• It can be used to condition anything that is leather based, to polish and restore its sheen and texture.
• You can put mink oil on your leather boots every few months to keep them in good shape.
• Mink oil doesn't damage anything that it comes into contact with while applying the sebum, like the laces or the heels of your boots.

Mink oil as you know now, is a very potent property in everything to do with care and maintainability. Find out how you can use this oil to your advantage, and spread the word of its long lasting benefits.