Alkanes, C10-13-Iso-

Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins Such as C10-13 Isoparaffin Used in Cosmetics

Johnson Jr, Wilbur, et al. International Journal of Toxicology, 2012, 31(6), 269S-295S.

C10-13 isoparaffins represent branched aliphatic hydrocarbons which contain 10 to 13 carbon atoms in their alkyl chain structures and find common usage as cosmetic solvents. The research focused on evaluating the safety profile of isoparaffins such as C10-13 isoparaffins when used in cosmetic products.
Key Findings
A 2010 Personal Care Products Council survey revealed that leave-on cosmetics contain C10-13 isoparaffins at concentrations ranging from 0.08% to 0.60%.
Repeated Dose Toxicity Assessment: A short-term study exposed four rhesus monkeys to C10-13 isoparaffins with a mean exposure level of 654 ppm (4.2 mg/L) across 3 days every week for 6 hours daily during 13 total sessions. No animals died. The results from clinical chemistry tests, urinalysis, and both gross and microscopic examinations showed no significant findings. Both mid-term and end of study evaluations revealed mild lymphopenia and neutrophilia in differential leukocyte counts. Researchers detected no meaningful alterations in behavioral patterns nor observed changes in body weight or food consumption.
Genotoxicity Assessment: Neither Salmonella typhimurium strains nor L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells showed mutagenic effects from C10-13 isoalkanes when tested under reverse mutation assay conditions with or without metabolic activation at doses up to 10 000 µg/plate.
Based on this safety evaluation current cosmetic practices involving C10-13 isoalkanes remain safe at the specified methods and concentrations.