Isohexadecane
AKA “8-HEPTAMETHYLNONANE, Nonane, (+-)-2, 8-Heptamethylnonane, isocetane, 8-heptamethyl-nonane”
Emollient
Ingredient Facts
Isohexadecane
AKA: 8-HEPTAMETHYLNONANE, Nonane, (+-)-2, 8-Heptamethylnonane, Isocetane, 8-heptamethyl-nonane
Emollient · Emollient · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Isohexadecane is a branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbon with 16 carbons.
Formula
C16H34
Mol. Weight
226.44
CAS #
4390-04-9, 60908-77-2, 93685-80-4
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
Synthetic branched hydrocarbon developed as a cosmetic emollient and spreading agent. Created in the mid-20th century as a lightweight alternative to traditional plant and mineral oils.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Percutaneous absorption and skin irritation upon low-level prolonged dermal exposure to nonane, dodecane and tetradecane in hairless rats.
Babu RJ, Chatterjee A, Ahaghotu E, Singh M
Toxicology and industrial health, 2004
Isohexadecane
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isohexadecane
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR