PARIFFIN ●
TL;DR. This ingredient functions as an occlusive emollient and structuring wax, adding slip, water-resistance, and firmness to balms, sticks, ointments, and rich creams.
What does PARIFFIN do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient functions as an occlusive emollient and structuring wax, adding slip, water-resistance, and firmness to balms, sticks, ointments, and rich creams.
Is PARIFFIN clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient often has restricted-list friction because it is fossil-derived and highly occlusive, even though refined cosmetic grades are generally low-irritation. The main quality concern is purity, with reputable suppliers controlling residual aromatic hydrocarbons through refinement and testing.
Is PARIFFIN sustainable?
This material is derived from fossil feedstocks and is not readily biodegradable. Its environmental profile is weaker than plant waxes or esters because it can persist in sediments and does not support renewable sourcing.
Is PARIFFIN COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic because it is petrochemical in origin. It fits poorly with Green Chemistry preferences for renewable feedstocks and biodegradability, although it is chemically stable and typically requires little reactive chemistry after refining.
How does PARIFFIN work chemically?
This material is a mixture of saturated straight-chain, branched, and cyclic hydrocarbons, with cosmetic wax grades commonly centered in higher carbon-chain ranges. It is anhydrous, inert across normal cosmetic pH, resists oxidation, and is usually melted into the oil phase around 50 to 70 °C depending on grade.
Last updated 2026-05-13