The invention relates to a water-free oil-based composition which is liquid at 20° C./normal pressure and which contains(a) 2 to 90% by weight of at least one linear and/or branched dialkyl carbonate and(b) 2 to 95% by weight of at least one linear and/or branched alkane containing 8 to 40 carbon atomsand to its use in the cosmetics field.