Characteristics
- INCI
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- CAS
-
73398-61-5, 65381-09-1
This is the substance number in the Chemical Abstracts Service registry. The CAS number uniquely identifies a substance regardless of language, trade name, or synonyms.
- EC
-
277-452-2, 265-724-3
This is the substance number in the European chemical identification system (EC number), used in European regulatory databases including ECHA/CosIng.
- Functions
- masking, perfuming, skin conditioning
Who it's for
Description
If your moisturizer ever feels silky without turning your face into an oil slick, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride may be one of the reasons. This lightweight emollient is often made from coconut oil and glycerin, then refined into a clear, odorless, non-greasy oil that plays very nicely in all sorts of formulas. Its INCI name is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, and the CAS number you’ll usually see attached to it is 73398-61-5. In other words: it sounds more intimidating than it is.
So what does it actually do for your skin? The short answer is: it helps soften, smooth, and reduce the “dry, tight” feeling by filling in the gaps between skin flakes and slowing down moisture loss a bit. That makes it a classic ingredient in lotions, creams, cleansing balms, and makeup. It’s also popular in skin care because it spreads beautifully and gives formulas that plush, cushiony slip people love. If you’re searching for the skin benefits of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, think comfort, softness, and a less cranky-looking surface rather than some dramatic active-ingredient moment.
For hair, it works in a similar “make things nicer” way: it can help reduce roughness, boost shine, and improve the feel of conditioners, masks, and leave-ins. If you’re wondering how to use Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride for hair, you usually don’t apply it neat like a treatment oil unless the product is designed for that; it’s more commonly used as part of a formula to improve slip and softness. It’s also used as a carrier for other oily ingredients because it is stable and mixes well. As for how to make Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, industry versions are typically produced by combining caprylic and capric fatty acids with glycerin, then esterifying and purifying the result.
On the safety front, it has a long track record and is generally considered very well tolerated, which is why it shows up in products for sensitive skin too. If you’re googling side effects, the honest answer is that they’re uncommon, though any ingredient can irritate some people depending on the formula and your skin’s mood that day. Its comedogenic rating is usually considered low, though ratings are not a perfect predictor for individual acne-prone skin. And if you’re checking an EWG score, you’ll likely find it listed as low concern. So yes, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is generally safe for skin and earns its popularity the boring but lovely way: by doing its job well.
More detail
A super common emollient that makes your skin feel nice and smooth. It comes from coconut oil and glycerin, it’s light-textured, clear, odorless and non-greasy. It’s a nice ingredient that just feels good on the skin, is super well tolerated by every skin type and easy to formulate with. No wonder it’s popular.
Frequently Asked Questions about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
What does caprylic/capric triglyceride do in skincare?
Is caprylic/capric triglyceride good for skin?
Is caprylic/capric triglyceride comedogenic?
Can caprylic/capric triglyceride be used on hair?
Are there any side effects or safety concerns with caprylic/capric triglyceride?
Products with Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (36 786 total)
Most often found in Avene products (304 items)
