C9-12 Isoparaffin

AKA: Isoparaffin C9-12

Synthetic

Solvent

Not Clean

C9-12 Isoparaffin is a mixture of branched aliphatic hydrocarbons with 9 to 12 carbons in the alkyl chain

CAS #

-

Form

Powder

Functions

Solvent

Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.

Viscosity Controlling

Dissolves Ingredients

Controls Viscosity

Dissolves other ingredients

Controls product thickness

Traditional Use

Refined petroleum hydrocarbon developed for cosmetic use in the 20th century. Serves as a volatile emollient and solvent in makeup and skincare products.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not an Irritant

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewednone on file

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR