Ingredient

C13-14 Alkane

Low risk

Also known astridecane / tetradecane blend, plant-derived alkane, C13-C14 hydrocarbon

FunctionEmollient

What it is — C13-14 Alkane is a blend of saturated straight-chain hydrocarbons with 13 to 14 carbon atoms. It is commonly made from renewable feedstocks such as sugarcane or vegetable oils, though the raw material varies by supplier. Chemically it is very stable and does not react with other ingredients.

What it does — It is an emollient and spreading agent: it gives slip, gloss and a silky, non-greasy feel and helps a colour cream spread evenly through the hair. Formulators use it in place of cyclic silicones or light mineral oils.

Typical use — Hair conditioners, colour creams, serums and skin care. In the GDS Hair Dye Shampoo it is declared in the Brown and Dark Brown formulas as part of the emollient system, alongside the lighter C9-12 Alkane.

Who it suits / good to know — Suits anyone avoiding silicones; it rinses away and does not build up. It is not a fragrance ingredient and is not derived from petroleum in the plant-based grades, though the INCI name does not tell you which grade a manufacturer used.

Safety — Saturated alkanes of this chain length are inert, non-irritating and not sensitising; they are not restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation. This is general information, not medical advice.

Why we grade it Low: Low risk — a chemically inert saturated hydrocarbon with no regulatory restriction and no known sensitisation potential; a common silicone alternative.
Cross-reference

Found in these DHALIORA products

Found in 0 DHALIORA products

Not currently in any DHALIORA product.

How grades are set — Risk reflects our own reading of publicly available safety data, an EWG-style reading shown at the worst-case grade we've assigned this ingredient across products. It isn't a third party's proprietary score, and it isn't medical advice. Always read the packaging and patch-test where indicated.
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