Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Best

Emollient

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride 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 glycerine
  • Clear, non-viscous liquid

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride description

Caprylic/capric triglyceride is derived from coconut oil and glycerine 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 moisturised 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.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride references

  • International Journal of Toxicology, September 2020, pages 34-35
  • Periodica Polytechnica Chemical Engineering, 2014, pages 43-48
  • International Journal of Toxicology, January 2003, pages 4-5
  • Food and Chemical Toxicology, January 2000, pages 79-98
  • Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, August 1985, pages 303-311

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.