C9-12 Alkane
AKA “Isoparaffin, mineral oil fraction
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
C9-12 alkane
AKA: Isoparaffin, Mineral oil fraction
Ingredient · Solvent · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Solvent
Clean
Alkanes, C9-12
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.
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
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 Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR