Tridecane

This ultra-light oily emollient is naturally derived from vegetable/seed oils. It is around 6 times lighter than MCT oil and a great natural alternative to silicones for many skin and haircare brands.

Chemically, vegetable oils are triglycerides. That is a combination of one glycerine molecule bonded to three fatty acids, typically with around 16-18 carbons in each chain. Because of this, even the lightest vegetable oils can feel like they weigh down the hair. Tridecane is from a different chemical family, straight chain alkanes and it’s because of this that they feel light and ultra-spreadable. Tridecane has thirteen carbons in its structure and is not bonded to glycerine or has anything else to complicate its structure. This contributes to their ultra-light skin and hair feel, spreadability, and fast evaporation rate.

Alkane chemistry has typically been sourced from petrochemicals but there is now no reason for this to be the case. Today, many manufacturers are creating alkane chemistry from vegetable feedstocks and allowing natural cosmetics to achieve the same performance aesthetics as their synthetic brothers and sisters. Its Origin is from natural sources such as coconut and palm oils.