C20-40 Isoparaffin

C20-40 Isoparaffin molecular structure
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Mineral Oil, Paraffin Oil
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
OriginDerived from petroleum crude oil, belonging to the alkane hydrocarbon chemical family. Produced through fractional distillation and selective hydrocarbon chain separation processes.
Alkanes, C20-40-iso
CAS #
246538-81-8
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
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
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 100%
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · 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 Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR