Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride
NECTAR & THORNE CO. · FORMULATOR FILES
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Caprylic/capric triglyceride is a lightweight emollient that gives skincare products smooth slip without the heaviness of many traditional oils. It may come from coconut-derived fatty acids, but it is not the same thing as coconut oil.
Ingredient Snapshot
|
INCI |
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
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Ingredient category |
Emollient · Carrier · Texture ingredient |
|
Source |
Glycerin combined with caprylic and capric fatty acids |
|
Form |
Light liquid oil |
|
Color |
Clear and colorless to pale yellow |
|
Odor |
Nearly odorless |
What Is It?
This ingredient is made by combining glycerin with two medium-length fatty acids called caprylic and capric acid. Those fatty acids are often obtained from coconut or palm sources and then purified and recombined. The result is a simple, stable cosmetic ingredient with a lighter feel than whole coconut oil and without coconut oil's full mixture of fats, scent, or melting behavior.
What Does It Do?
Caprylic/capric triglyceride softens the skin, improves spread, and helps a product feel silky rather than greasy. It can also carry oil-soluble ingredients and make thick oils or butters easier to apply. It is usually a supporting ingredient rather than a headline active—which is not a flaw. Much of a product's comfort and elegance comes from ingredients doing quiet jobs like this one. It should not be credited with every benefit associated with whole coconut oil.
Formulation Notes
It appears in moisturizers, facial oils, balms, makeup, cleansing oils, sunscreen, lip products, and hair care. Formulators use it to lighten richer oil blends, soften balms, and improve glide. It is generally stable and easy to work with in the oil portion of a product.
Quick Notes
- It is not simply another name for coconut oil or fractionated coconut oil.
- Its main benefits are softness, slip, and improved product texture.
- Coconut-derived describes a possible starting material, not the finished ingredient's full composition.
- “Non-comedogenic” cannot be guaranteed from this ingredient alone.
Further reading: COSMILE Europe — Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride