Ingredient dictionary

Undecane

Undecane is a colorless, oil-like liquid made of eleven carbon atoms in a straight chain, mainly used as a solvent and emollient. It is on the label of 10 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

What Undecane does

Dissolves oils and other ingredients in a formula
Gives a light, smooth slip on skin
Helps a formula spread evenly on skin

Undecane is a hydrocarbon, which means it is made only of carbon and hydrogen. It belongs to the alkane family, the same group as many paraffin-type oils. It is usually obtained from petroleum fractions, the portions of crude oil separated by boiling point.

Formulators use it because it dissolves oil-soluble ingredients and leaves a dry, smooth feel rather than a heavy film. It evaporates only slowly, so it can help a product spread before it sets. It turns up often in self tanners, where it helps the other ingredients blend evenly.

Good for

Suits people who like lightweight, non-greasy formulas, including many self tanners and body products.

Frequently asked questions

Is undecane safe for skin?

Undecane is generally well tolerated in cosmetics. Like any ingredient, it can still bother a person with very sensitive skin, so patch testing a new product is a sensible step.

What does undecane do in a self tanner?

In self tanners, undecane usually acts as a solvent and emollient. It helps the tanning ingredients and oils blend into a smooth base. It is not the tanning agent itself, so it does not create color.