The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Isododecane
aka 2,2,4,8-tetramethylnonane · isoparaffin C12 · highly branched C12 isoparaffin
A synthetic isoparaffin solvent providing the characteristic lightweight, fast-evaporating texture in colour cosmetics including highlighting blushes and illuminating formulas. Enables high pigment-load without heaviness.
- Ultra-lightweight dry-feel texture
- Fast-evaporating — reduces greasy skin feel
- High-load pigment carrier
- Long-wear performance contribution
- Water-repellent film formation
- Highlighting blush formulas
- Liquid eyeshadows
- Long-wear lip formulas
- Illuminating primers
- Waterproof mascara
Anhydrous or low-water systems only. Evaporates largely from the skin surface after application. Excellent solvent for volatile silicones, synthetic waxes, and colour pigments.
Derived from petroleum/natural gas processing. Non-biodegradable petroleum-derived isoparaffin — flagged in environmentally strict clean-beauty frameworks. Not a skin sensitiser but the sustainability profile is not clean.
Mixed in clean beauty. Excluded from most strict natural or petroleum-free brand standards. Accepted in clean-beauty standards that focus on safety over environmental origin.
The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Isododecane
aka 2,2,4,8-tetramethylnonane · isoparaffin C12 · highly branched C12 isoparaffin
A synthetic isoparaffin solvent providing the characteristic lightweight, fast-evaporating texture in colour cosmetics including highlighting blushes and illuminating formulas. Enables high pigment-load without heaviness.
- Ultra-lightweight dry-feel texture
- Fast-evaporating — reduces greasy skin feel
- High-load pigment carrier
- Long-wear performance contribution
- Water-repellent film formation
- Highlighting blush formulas
- Liquid eyeshadows
- Long-wear lip formulas
- Illuminating primers
- Waterproof mascara
Anhydrous or low-water systems only. Evaporates largely from the skin surface after application. Excellent solvent for volatile silicones, synthetic waxes, and colour pigments.
Derived from petroleum/natural gas processing. Non-biodegradable petroleum-derived isoparaffin — flagged in environmentally strict clean-beauty frameworks. Not a skin sensitiser but the sustainability profile is not clean.
Mixed in clean beauty. Excluded from most strict natural or petroleum-free brand standards. Accepted in clean-beauty standards that focus on safety over environmental origin.