C12-20 Isoparaffin
AKA “Isoparaffin, mineral oil isomer
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
C12-20 isoparaffin
AKA: Mineral oil isomer
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 6
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight conditioning oil that softens skin and helps products blend smoothly. It locks in moisture while giving formulas a silky texture.
CAS #
222400-21-7
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Synthetic hydrocarbon developed in the 20th century as a petroleum-derived ingredient. Used in cosmetics as a solvent and emollient, designed to provide texture and spreadability without the stickiness of heavier oils.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
6
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
ewg-6
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
C10-11 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C10-12 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C10-13 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C11-12 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C11-13 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C11-14 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C12-14 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C12-20 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C13-14 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C13-16 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C15-35 Isoparaffin/Isoalkylcycloalkanes
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C18-70 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C20-40 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C7-8 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C8-9 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C9-11 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C9-12 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C9-13 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C9-14 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C9-16 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C10-11 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C10-13 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C11-12 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C11-13 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C12-14 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C12-20 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C18-70 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C8-9 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C9-11 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
C9-13 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Contact dermatitis caused by polyacrylamide/C13-4 isoparaffin/laureth-7 mix in an emollient cream for atopic skin.
Jaulent C, Dereure O, Raison-Peyron N
Contact dermatitis, 2019
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR