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Octadecene

What Octadecene is & what it does

Octadecene is an 18-carbon liquid hydrocarbon, an alpha-olefin derived through synthesis. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it acts as an emollient and solvent, giving a light, non-greasy slip and helping carry oil-soluble ingredients. A notable property is its low odor and stable, lightweight feel on the skin.

What does Octadecene do in skincare?

Octadecene is a lightweight liquid hydrocarbon used as an emollient and solvent. It gives a light, non-greasy slip and helps carry oil-soluble ingredients through a formula.

Is Octadecene comedogenic?

As a light hydrocarbon emollient, its effect on pores depends on the full formula and individual skin. If you are prone to breakouts, it is reasonable to patch test a product first. We cannot give a definitive comedogenic rating for this ingredient.

Is Octadecene natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic in practice, produced as an alpha-olefin through manufacturing processes to give a consistent, low-odor cosmetic-grade material.

Sunscreens with Octadecene

We rate 12 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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