The invention concerns oil components for cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical preparations, the components consisting entirely or mainly of a dialkyl carbonate of general formula (I), in which R1 is a straight-chain alkyl group with 8 to 18 carbon atoms or a branched-chain alkyl group with 8 to 44 carbon atoms and R2 is a straight-chain alkyl group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a branched-chain alkyl group with 8 to 44 carbon atoms. Such oil components not only have good compatibility with the skin and mucous membrane but are also highly stable with respect to rancidity.
