Ingredient Dictionary

HEXADECANE

Hexadecane is a straight-chain alkane with 16 carbon atoms.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 8 list it before the 1% line and 6 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 12 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first

Definition

Hexadecane is a straight-chain alkane with 16 carbon atoms. It is a component of essential oil isolated from long pepper. It has a role as a volatile oil component, a non-polar solvent and a plant metabolite.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII F8Z00SHP6Q · registered name HEXADECANE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Hexadecane is the organic compound that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Makes skin soft and smoothSKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ヘキサデカン: 本品は、次の化学式で表される有機化合物である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

HEXADECANEINCI헥사데케인Korean label name (MFDS standard)ヘキサデカンJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 544-76-3
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 208-878-9
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID0027195
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID607195

IUPAC: Hexadecane
Molecular formula: C16H34
Molecular weight: 226.448 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: N-hexadecane is a colorless liquid. (NTP, 1992) · Liquid
Odour: Odorless (without any specific odor)
Boiling point: 549 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · boiling point equals 549 °F
Melting point: 64.7 °F (NTP, 1992) · 18.18 °C
Solubility: In water, 2.1X10-5 mg/L at 25 °C · Solubility sea water: 0.00004 mg/L at 25 °C
Density: 0.77331 at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.7701 g/cu cm at 25 °C
Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Viscosity: 3.474 mPa s at 20 °C · (39.1SUS)
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: 18.12 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 286.86 ℃
Flash point: 112 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 4.7 / 0.5 %
Vapour pressure: 0.00143 ㎜Hg(25 ℃)
Water solubility: 0.0009 ㎎/ℓ(25℃)
Vapour density: 7.8
Relative density: 0.7701 (g/cm3 25℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 8.25 (est.)
Auto-ignition temperature: 205 ℃
Molecular weight: 226.45

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 8 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance3
Flavouring and nutrient1
Heat stabilizer1
Solvent1
Embalming agent1
No specific technical function1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

5 skin studies and 4 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low14

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 9 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to other guideline: s 1500.41 Federal Register Vol. 38, No. 187, of the 27 September 1973, page 27019 according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.5 (Acute Toxicity: Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: EPA guideline equivalent or similar to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to