SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES
SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES is banned in cosmetics in the EU — Annex II, entry 881 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Review the regulatory details and Safety Gate alerts.
Regulatory status as of 2026-08-28 (per the CosIng database).
About the ingredient
Sesqui-(C8-10 Alkyl) C12-16 Alkanes is a branched hydrocarbon produced by the condensation of a mixture of capryl and lauryl alcohols to yield a mixture of Guerbet alcohols, followed by dehydration, and hydrogenation. This produces a mixture of C12-16 alkanes with one or two C8-10 alkyl substituents.
EU regulatory status
Annex of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: II/881
Source: the European Commission's official CosIng database and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products. How we assess ingredients — full methodology.
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Functions in cosmetics
Frequently asked questions
Is SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES safe in cosmetics?
SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES is banned in the EU under Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and may not be used in cosmetics placed on the EU market. Cosmetics containing this substance are withdrawn by national inspectorates and reported to the EU Safety Gate database.
In which annex of Regulation 1223/2009 is SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES listed?
SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES is listed under reference II/881 in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. The first part (Roman numeral) indicates the annex: II – prohibited substances, III – substances restricted by conditions, IV – permitted colorants, V – permitted preservatives, VI – permitted UV filters.
What functions does SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES perform in cosmetics?
According to the European Commission's CosIng database, SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES performs the following functions in cosmetics: SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT. Functions are defined in the CosIng glossary and describe the technological role of a substance in the finished product.
Are there Safety Gate alerts concerning SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES?
Our copy of the EU Safety Gate database currently contains no alerts linking SESQUI-C12-16 ALKANES to a cosmetic recall. The database is refreshed regularly from the European Commission's official Safety Gate system.