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Paraffin
AKA “Mineral oil, Paraffin oil, Liquid paraffin”
Mineral
Ingredient Facts
Paraffin
AKA: Mineral oil, Paraffin oil, Liquid paraffin
Mineral · Perfuming · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Fragrance
Skin Conditioner
Mineral
Not Clean
A natural wax that smooths and softens skin while helping our formula stay creamy and easy to apply.
CAS #
8002-74-2, 64742-51-4
Form
Powder
State
Solid
See origin →
Functions
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Viscosity Controlling
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Paraffin wax, derived from petroleum refining, has been used in cosmetics since the late 19th century as an occlusive moisturizer and texture agent. Developed as a synthetic replacement for natural waxes like beeswax.
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 a Sensitizer
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
CANADA✔ permitted
Regulatory Agencies
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)
→
Paraffin
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
→
Paraffin
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