C12-20 Isoparaffin
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Mineral oil isomer
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Alkanes, C12-20-iso
CAS #
222400-21-7
Form
Liquid
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.
EWG
6
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
ewg-6
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR