A mixture of branched hydrocarbons used as a binder, bulking agent and solvent.
What it is
C18-50 isoalkane, formerly C18-50 isoparaffin, is a mixture of branched-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons with 18 to 50 carbon atoms. CosIng lists it as a binding, bulking, solvent and non-surfactant dispersing ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in lipsticks, lip balms, makeup and other anhydrous products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The INCI name does not reveal whether the hydrocarbons come from petroleum or are made in another way.
Functions
- Binding
- Providing adhesive properties during and after compression in cosmetic tablets and/or cakes.
- Bulking
- Non-reactive (chemically inert), solid ingredients that dilute other solids and/or increase the volume of cosmetic products.
- Solvent
- Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).
- Dispersing (non-surfactant)
- Facilitating the dispersion of solids in liquids. They function primarily by coating the solid through the process of adsorption, thus changing the surface characteristic of the suspended solid.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.