C11-12 Isoparaffin
AKA “Hydrocarbon, Mineral oil fraction
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
C11-12 isoparaffin
AKA: Hydrocarbon, Mineral oil fraction
Synthetic · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight conditioning agent that helps products glide smoothly onto skin and hair while keeping them soft and moisturized.
CAS #
246538-76-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
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 mid-20th century as a replacement for mineral oil in cosmetics. Created to provide lightweight moisture protection without the heavy residue of earlier oil-based formulations.
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
Not an Irritant
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Imp...
Abdullah A Alangari, Matin D Ashoori, Wisam Alwan, Hannah R Dawe, Brigitta Stockinger, Jonathan N Barker + 2 more
Pharmacological research, 2023
Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Imp...
Abdullah A Alangari, Matin D Ashoori, Wisam Alwan, Hannah R Dawe, Brigitta Stockinger, Jonathan N Barker + 2 more
Pharmacological research, 2023
C11-12 Isoparaffin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
C11-12 Isoparaffin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis.
Furue M, Hashimoto-Hachiya A, Tsuji G
International journal of molecular sciences, 2019
Comparative in vivo toxicity of topical JP-8 jet fuel and its individual hydrocarbon components: identification of tridecane and tetradecane as key co
Muhammad F, Monteiro-Riviere NA, Riviere JE
Toxicologic pathology, 2005
DNA adduct formation in human and mouse skin by mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Phillips DH, Schoket B, Hewer A, Grover PL
IARC scientific publications, 1990
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR