Database/Emollient/C13-14 Isoparaffin
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is C13-14 Isoparaffin natural?

No. Branched paraffin hydrocarbons are conventionally petrochemical, in the same family as mineral oil and paraffin waxes.

INCI nameC13-14 Isoparaffin
CAS246538-79-4
FunctionEmollient · Solvent
FeedstockManufactured by isomerising or synthesising petroleum-derived linear paraffins…

How we scored it

Fully saturated branched C13-14 alkane; no ester or natural fragment present. Isoparaffins of this type are petroleum-refined by this site's convention.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Manufactured by isomerising or synthesising petroleum-derived linear paraffins into branched C13-14 alkanes. No commercially significant bio-based route exists for this specialty solvent.

In plain English

A lightweight, odourless liquid emollient and solvent made from branched synthetic hydrocarbons. It spreads easily on skin and helps dissolve other ingredients without feeling greasy.

CosIng definition: Alkanes, C13-14-iso

Natural alternatives with the same function

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=C13-14%20ISOPARAFFIN