Tridecane⁶ ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used as a lightweight emollient and solvent that improves slip, spread, and dry-down in skin care, sunscreen, hair care, and makeup. It is often used to give a silicone-like feel without using silicone polymers.
What does Tridecane⁶ do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used as a lightweight emollient and solvent that improves slip, spread, and dry-down in skin care, sunscreen, hair care, and makeup. It is often used to give a silicone-like feel without using silicone polymers.
Is Tridecane⁶ clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally low-irritation, non-sensitizing, and not a common allergen. Clean-standard friction is mostly about source transparency, since plant-derived grades are usually viewed more favorably than petroleum-derived grades.
Is Tridecane⁶ sustainable?
This material can be made from renewable plant feedstocks or from petroleum, so its sustainability profile depends heavily on sourcing. It is expected to biodegrade more readily than persistent silicone fluids, but sourcing and manufacturing route should be checked when that matters.
Is Tridecane⁶ COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when it is natural-origin and made through allowed processing routes. Green Chemistry alignment is strongest for renewable, readily biodegradable grades made without high-concern solvents or residues.
How does Tridecane⁶ work chemically?
The molecule is a straight-chain, saturated hydrocarbon with 13 carbon atoms, which makes it nonpolar, oil-soluble, and chemically stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges. It is commonly used from low single digits to much higher levels in anhydrous, sunscreen, and color formulas, where it helps dissolve lipophilic ingredients and adjust dry-down without contributing oxidation-sensitive unsaturation.
Last updated 2026-05-13