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Ingredient Facts
C12-20 isoparaffin
AKA: Mineral oil isomer
Emollient · Emollient · EWG: 6
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Alkanes, C12-20-iso
CAS #
222400-21-7
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
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 hydrocarbon developed in the 20th century as a petroleum-derived ingredient. Used in cosmetics as a solvent and emollient, designed to provide texture and spreadability without the stickiness of heavier oils.