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C13-15 Alkane

What C13-15 Alkane is & what it does

A plant-derived light hydrocarbon emollient that gives a weightless, dry-touch feel and helps spread filters evenly. It is a common natural replacement for volatile silicones.

What is C13-15 Alkane and what does it do in sunscreen?

It is a light, plant-derived hydrocarbon that works as an emollient. In a sunscreen it gives a weightless, dry-touch feel and helps the UV filters spread evenly across the skin. It is often used as a natural alternative to volatile silicones.

Is C13-15 Alkane safe?

Yes. It is a well-tolerated emollient that sits on the skin without irritating it for most people, and our data does not flag it as an allergen. It is a common choice in modern, lightweight sunscreen textures.

Does C13-15 Alkane clog pores?

Generally no. It is a light, fast-spreading emollient rather than a heavy occlusive oil, and it is not flagged as comedogenic in our data. Its dry-touch finish is one reason it is popular in fluid and gel sunscreens.

Is C13-15 Alkane natural or synthetic?

It is plant-derived, typically sourced from renewable vegetable feedstocks rather than petroleum. That is a big part of its appeal, since it gives a silicone-like slip from a natural origin. The finished ingredient is processed but starts from plant material.

What is C13-15 Alkane on an ingredient list (INCI)?

"C13-15 Alkane" is the INCI name on the label, where the numbers refer to the chain length of the hydrocarbons in the blend. It usually appears in the upper-to-middle part of the list as part of the oil phase. It is there to carry the filters and create a light, smooth feel.

Sunscreens with C13-15 Alkane

We rate 115 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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