murphyC13-16 Isoparaffin
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Mineral Oil, Liquid Paraffin
Synthetic
Solvent
Clean
OriginDerived from crude oil, a fossil hydrocarbon source, through fractional distillation and refining processes. Synthesized by selective hydrogenation and isomerization of petroleum-derived paraffin hydrocarbons to achieve the C13-C16 chain length.
Alkanes, C13-16-iso
CAS #
68551-20-2
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Dissolves Ingredients
Dissolves other ingredients
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.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic (CIR Panel on the ingredient group)
CIR Panel statement covering this group of ingredients; not tested individually (CIR 579)
Not Comedogenic (CIR Panel on the ingredient group)
CIR Panel statement covering this group of ingredients; not tested individually (CIR 579)
Not a Sensitizer (CIR report on the ingredient group)
CIR report statement covering this group of ingredients / not tested individually (CIR 579)
Eye Irritant in Testing (CIR report on the ingredient group)
CIR report statement covering this group of ingredients / not tested individually (CIR 579)
Skin Irritant in Testing (CIR report on the ingredient group)
CIR report statement covering this group of ingredients / not tested individually (CIR 579)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.4–18%
Rinse-offNot reported
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 100%
CIR reported use · 2010 survey
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 Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR