Quick answer
Provides emolliency and beneficial fatty acids that help skin resist moisture loss; Can also be used to thicken a formula or enhance the penetration of key ingredients; Known to improve to the spreadability of a product; Derived from coconut oil and glycerin; Clear, non-viscous liquid Key benefits: Hydration.
Caprylic/capric Triglyceride
Updated
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate;
Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
Purpose
Emollient and skin-replenishing ingredient derived from coconut oil and glycerin. Contains fatty acids that help skin resist moisture loss.
Rating
BEST
Category
Emollient, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts
INCI Purpose
FRAGRANCE, PERFUMING, SKIN CONDITIONING
Benefits
Alternative Names
Hair Profile
Functions
Helps With
Suitable For
Role
Coconut-derived texture enhancer. Improves product spreadability; gives a dry, velvety finish without heaviness.
At a Glance
Provides emolliency and beneficial fatty acids that help skin resist moisture loss
Can also be used to thicken a formula or enhance the penetration of key ingredients
Known to improve to the spreadability of a product
Derived from coconut oil and glycerin
Clear, non-viscous liquid
Article
Caprylic/capric triglyceride is derived from coconut oil and glycerin and is considered an excellent emollient and skin-replenishing ingredient. Of note, its mix of fatty acids replenish skin’s surface and help it to resist moisture loss.
Caprylic/capric triglyceride can also function as a thickener or penetration enhancer, but its chief job is to moisturize and replenish skin. This ingredient’s value for skin is made greater by the fact that it’s considered gentle.
As a raw material caprylic/capric triglyceride is clear, non-viscous liquid. It is known to improve to the spreadability of formula.
Safety assessments have deemed capric/caprylic triglyceride safe in cosmetic formulations in concentrations below 50%, with reported uses varying between 0.1% to 35%.
Despite what is often purported on the internet skin care advice sites, there is no research showing caprylic/capric triglyceride is “comedogenic” or pore clogging. (This assumption is often tied to its relation to coconut oil.) Theoretically, because its molecular weight of 408 is below 500 Daltons, caprylic/capric triglyceride technically has the ability to penetrate the pore lining, but even that doesn’t inherently mean it will clog pores.
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