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C13-16 Isoparaffin
AKA “Isoparaffin, Mineral Oil, Liquid Paraffin”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
C13-16 isoparaffin
AKA: Mineral Oil, Liquid Paraffin
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight oil that helps dissolve and blend other ingredients together, creating a smooth, even texture in the formula.
CAS #
68551-20-2
Form
Liquid
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.
Dissolves Ingredients
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
Synthetic hydrocarbon developed in the 20th century as a petroleum-derived ingredient. Used in cosmetics as a solvent and conditioning agent to improve product feel and application.
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
Concentration Guide
100%
0%100%
Reg. Limit
FDA OTC limit: 100% (Skin Protectant). 50-100% standalone; 30-35% when combined with colloidal oatmeal Source: FDA OTC Monograph, 21 CFR 347.10.
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
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
→
Mineral Oil Dermal Penetration Review
Petry T, Bury D, Fautz R, Hauser M, Huber B, Marber A, et al.
Toxicology Letters, 2017
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR