C9-12 Alkane
AKA “Isoparaffin, mineral oil fraction
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
C9-12 alkane
AKA: Isoparaffin, Mineral oil fraction
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight solvent that helps dissolve and blend other ingredients in the formula, ensuring a smooth, even product consistency.
Form
Oil
See origin →
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Provides scent
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
A synthetic hydrocarbon developed in the 20th century as a replacement for mineral oil in cosmetics. Created to provide a lighter, more elegant emollient that evaporates faster than traditional mineral oils while maintaining skin conditioning benefits.
Skin Types
all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-1
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Instant Bright Eye
Alpyn Beauty
 →
Tata's Daily Essentials
Tata Harper Skincare
 →
Superkind Calming Crème & Bio-Shield Face Oil
Tata Harper Skincare
 →
Superkind Calming Crème
Tata Harper Skincare
 →
Brightening Eye Gel 3mL – Tata Harper Skincare
Tata Harper Skincare
 →
SOS FaceGuard™ SPF 30 Sunscreen PA+++
Tower 28 Beauty
 →
Brightening Eye Gel 3mL
Credo Beauty
 →
Soft Matte Lipstick Last Call
MOB Beauty
 →
Blurring Blot Balm & Primer
MOB Beauty
 →
Blurring Ceramide Cream Foundation
MOB Beauty
 →
Soft Matte Lipstick
MOB Beauty
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier T3
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier M2
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier L4
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier D3
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier L1
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier T1
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier M4
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier T2
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier M1
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier D4
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier L3
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier T4
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier L2
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier M3
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier D2
Westman Atelier
 →
Vital Skincare Concealer - Atelier D1
Westman Atelier
 →
SunnyDays™ Tinted SPF 30
Tower 28 Beauty
 →
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 Alkane
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
C9-12 Alkane
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