Why Almond Clear uses C13-14 Isoparaffin in Our Soothing Daily Moisturizer

One of Almond Clear’s core values in HONESTY, which is why we want to be transparent about why we include C13-14 Isoparaffin in our Soothing Daily Moisturizer.

You may have seen this ingredient listed on your bottle, and perhaps you’ve read online that it’s “not clean.” Let’s talk about what that really means, and why we’ve decided to continue using it.

What Is C13-14 Isoparaffin?

C13-14 Isoparaffin is a lightweight, silky emollient that helps the Soothing Daily Moisturizer absorb quickly without leaving a heavy or greasy residue. It’s a big part of what gives the moisturizer it's much-loved, feather-light feeling on the skin while still locking in hydration.

Unlike plant oils or fatty acids, which can trigger breakouts or feed the yeast that causes fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis), C13-14 Isoparaffin is chemically inert. That means it doesn’t interact with your skin in ways that could clog pores or worsen fungal acne.

Is It Safe?

Yes. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel, an independent scientific body, has evaluated isoparaffins and found them to be safe for use in cosmetics. Here’s why:

• Non-comedogenic: Doesn’t clog pores.
  

• Non-irritating: Rarely causes sensitivity or allergic reactions.
  

• Non-absorptive: Stays on the skin’s surface, providing slip and softness without entering your system.

For people with acne-prone or sensitive skin, that’s exactly what you want: hydration and comfort without new breakouts.

Balancing Sustainability and Skin Needs

C13-14 Isoparaffin is derived from petroleum, which is why some clean beauty retailers and bloggers classify it as an “unclean” ingredient. The concern is not about safety and instead about a preference for natural, plant-derived ingredients.

At Almond Clear, we care deeply about both sustainability and skin health. Whenever possible, we choose ingredients that are natural, renewable, and environmentally responsible. But we also serve a very specific community: people with acne and fungal acne, who have very few safe product options available to them.

This creates unique challenges. Many natural ingredients that are celebrated in clean beauty, such as plant oils, fatty acids, and esters, are off-limits for fungal-acne–prone skin because they can feed malassezia and trigger breakouts. If we were to restrict ourselves only to natural ingredients, our toolkit for formulating would shrink so much that we simply couldn’t create high-performing, effective products for the people who need them most.

That means we have to carefully weigh the pros and cons of every ingredient. Sometimes, the most sustainable choice aligns perfectly with the safest and most effective choice. Other times, like with C13-14 Isoparaffin, there’s a gray area. While it isn’t a natural ingredient, it is safe, inert, non-comedogenic, and uniquely effective for fungal-acne–prone skin. For the sake of maintaining the lightweight, silky feel and effectiveness of the Soothing Daily Moisturizer, we’ve chosen to continue using it for now.

Our goal is always to balance environmental responsibility with our mission to make truly effective skincare accessible to people with specific skin concerns. It’s not always easy, but it’s a responsibility we take seriously.

The Bottom Line

When you reach for Almond Clear, you can feel confident knowing every ingredient has been chosen with your unique skin in mind. C13-14 Isoparaffin is safe, gentle, and effective, and it helps make the Soothing Daily Moisturizer the product that so many of you love.

If you’d like to dive deeper into ingredient safety, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to talk skin science.