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C20-40 Isoparaffin
AKA “Mineral Oil, Paraffin Oil”
Emollient
Ingredient Facts
C20-40 isoparaffin
AKA: Mineral Oil, Paraffin Oil
Emollient · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Alkanes, C20-40-iso
CAS #
246538-81-8
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.
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
A hydrocarbon derived from petroleum, developed for cosmetics in the 20th century. Used as a solvent and emollient in skincare and color cosmetics.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
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
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR