C13-15 Alkane
Lightweight plant-derived emollient from sugarcane or palm oil. Substitutes silicones and cyclomethicone – gives a dry, slippery feel without a film. Common near the top of INCI lists in sunscreens and lightweight creams. Non-comedogenic and pregnancy-safe.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
C13-15 Alkane is a linear hydrocarbon with a chain length of 13 to 15 carbons, produced from renewable feedstock. Modern commercial grades (Cetiol Ultimate by BASF, Hemisqualane by Amyris) are made by fermenting sugarcane; older grades come from hydrogenated petroleum alpha-olefins. INCI: C13-15 Alkane. In cosmetics, C13-15 Alkane acts as a dry, low-viscosity emollient. It fills gaps between corneocytes, reduces TEWL, and improves cream slip. Sensorially it replaces cyclopentasiloxane (D5) and cyclomethicone in clean formulas that avoid silicones. Use levels run from 1% to 30%. In mineral-filter sunscreens it helps disperse zinc oxide and improves spreadability. Pregnancy safety. Skin absorption is minimal – the molecule is lipophilic and too large for meaningful penetration. CIR rated the safety profile as acceptable. No teratogenic effects are described in the literature. Skin profile. Low irritation and low allergen potential. Non-comedogenic (Fulton scale 0). Suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, and rosacea-prone skin. It does not leave a greasy film and does not occlude pores. Comparison with squalane. C13-15 Alkane is sometimes marketed as squalane, but molecularly the two are different structures with similar sensorials – dry slip and quick absorption. Squalane is biologically related to skin lipids and counts as a standalone active, while C13-15 Alkane is a purely functional texture modifier without enzymatic affinity for the skin. The ingredient has no standalone cosmetic effects beyond emolliency and sensorial improvement. It is a working silicone alternative in formulas positioned as silicone-free.
Frequently asked questions
Is C13-15 Alkane safe during pregnancy?
C13-15 Alkane is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is C13-15 Alkane for?
C13-15 Alkane suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is C13-15 Alkane and what does it do in cosmetics?
Lightweight plant-derived emollient from sugarcane or palm oil.
Is C13-15 Alkane comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 0/5 – non-comedogenic. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for C13-15 Alkane?
The INCI name is C13-15 Alkane. It may also appear as: C13-14 Alkane, Hemisqualane.
See C13-15 Alkane in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Similar role in the formula
Other functional ingredients
C13-16 Isoalkane, C14-22 Alcohols, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-40 Alketh-10, Disodium Succinate, Neutralized Carbomer, Polyquaternium-11, Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
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