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C9-16 Isoparaffin
AKA “Isoparaffin, Mineral oil, Liquid paraffin”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
C9-16 isoparaffin
AKA: Mineral oil, Liquid paraffin
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
Alkanes, C9-16-iso Science: Functions: Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning - Emollient, Solvent Safety Ratings: CIR: Safe as used
CAS #
70024-92-9; 246538-71-6; 68551-16-6; 246538-72-7; 246538-73-8; 246538-75-0; 68551-17-7; 246538-76-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
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
Refined petroleum hydrocarbon developed for cosmetic applications. Used as an emollient and solvent in skincare formulations and color cosmetics.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
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
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