Is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride safe in cosmetics?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Also known as: Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate
INCI: CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (CAS 65381-09-1) is a cosmetic emollient functioning as Fractionated medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ester composed of caprylic (C8). EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 65381-09-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Fractionated medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ester composed of caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids esterified to glycerol. Derived from coconut or palm kernel oil by fractionation. Functions as emollient, skin-conditioning agent, carrier, solvent, and lipid matrix for advanced delivery systems. Fully saturated with excellent oxidative stability. Used as carrier lipid in Solid Lipid Nanoparticle (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC) formulations and as the lipid vehicle in phospholipid delivery systems for encapsulation of lipophilic actives.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA GRAS for food use. CIR Expert Panel confirmed very low toxicity. In vivo study (15% w/w emulsion) demonstrated increased superficial skin hydration with TEWL reduction. Used as lipid matrix in SLN and NLC nanocarrier formulations and as vehicle in phospholipid delivery systems. Palm kernel/coconut derived. No federal restrictions.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
1-4%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
470.7 Da
Log P
8.5
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.5-3%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Source: CIR
Endocrine Disruptor Evidence (Expanded)
Cross-referenced EDC classifications, mechanism data, and dose-response evidence from EDLists, SIN List, and cosmetic-specific detail sources.
Cosmetic-Specific Mechanism
Category: other
Receptor targets: PPARγ (weak, via medium chain fatty acid)
LOEC: 10 µM
EU status: allowed
weak PPARγ agonist
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Cream | 3–10 | 25 | CIR/VCRP |
| Body Oil | 5–30 | 100 | CIR/VCRP |
| Sunscreen | 5–15 | 20 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "65381-09-1", "anti_acne_mechanism": "anti_inflammatory", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "1", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-5", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "No limit", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "No", "korea_functional_cosmetic_acne": "No", "eu_cosmetic_restriction…
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "barrier-repair, emollient", "mechanism_of_action": "Lipid barrier restoration, TEWL reduction, emollient", "target_skin_layer": "stratum corneum", "collagen_stimulation": "No", "elastin_protection": "No", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "4-8", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "8", "sample_size": "30", "double_blind": "No", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "published_journal": "Int J Cos…
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "65381-09-1/73398-61-5", "ingredient_class": "moisturizer_baby", "pediatric_safety_rating": "excellent", "minimum_age_months": "0", "neonatal_safe": "yes", "premature_infant_safe": "yes", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "Fractionated coconut, stable, lightweight, non-comedogenic", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "very_low", "dose_per_kg_body_weight_concern": "Mini…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "1", "irritancy_rating": "0", "skin_type_suitability": "all,oily,dry,combination,normal,acne-prone", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Fractionated coconut oil"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "2.0", "max_concentration_pct": "15.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "10.0", "product_type": "Serum", "function_at_concentration": "Carrier oil", "source": "CIR Safety Assessment"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "budget", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "6", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "12", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "10", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "20", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "Malaysia/Europe", "synthetic_vs_natural_cost_ratio": "1.6", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "500", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "comm…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "470.7", "log_p_value": "8.5", "skin_penetration_level": "stratum-corneum", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum", "absorption_pct": "1-4", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "yes", "vehicle_dependent": "no", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0.5-3", "safety_margin_factor": "low", "source": "C…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "no", "hlb_required_of_oil_phase": "6-8", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "polysorbate_60,coco_glucoside", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "15-35", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "65-85", "droplet_size_range_um": "2-30", "creaming_resistance": "moderate", "coalescence_resistance": "good", "ostwald_ripening_resistance": "moderate", "freeze_thaw_stability": "moderate", "rheology_modifier_…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Flavouring and nutrient
Pharmaceutical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.
Regulatory Flags
palm-derived-rspo-preferred
Known Synonyms
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate
Chemical Function
Flavouring and nutrient
Pharmaceutical
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (C8/C10 MCT)
Food Category
oils_fats
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride allowed in the EU?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do in cosmetics?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride functions as: Fractionated medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ester composed of caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids esterified to glycerol. Derived from coconut or palm kernel oil by fractionation. Functions as emollient, skin-conditioning agent, carrier, solvent, and lipid matrix for advanced delivery systems. Fully saturated with excellent oxidative stability. Used as carrier lipid in Solid Lipid Nanoparticle (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC) formulations and as the lipid vehicle in phospholipid delivery systems for encapsulation of lipophilic actives.. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 65381-09-1.
Is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride used outside cosmetics?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride also appears in food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
Related Ingredients
Alkyl Benzoate
Excellent
Same category
Emollient; skin-conditioning agent; U...
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Excellent
Same category
Plant-derived emollient oil from arga...
Babassu Oil
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning - Emollient: Soften...
Babassu Oil
Excellent
Same category
Emollient; lauric acid-rich tropical oil
Beeswax
Excellent
Same category
Wax; viscosity modifier; film-former
Behenic Acid
Excellent
Same category
Cleansing, Emulsifier, Opacifier, Sur...
1-Methylhydantoin-2-imide (Creatinine)
Excellent
Similar safety
Skin conditioning (skin brightening/l...
2,6-Dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol (Dihydromyrcenol)
Excellent
Similar safety
Fragrance (perfuming), masking
2-Ethoxy-2,6,6-Trimethyl-9-Methylenebicyclo[3.3.1]Nonane (Boisiris™)
Excellent
Similar safety
Fragrance (rich woody, orris/iris roo...
2-Hydroxypropylcarbamato Amodimethicone
Excellent
Similar safety
Hair conditioning; modified aminosili...
2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Softener and conditioner
3 O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Excellent
Similar safety
Antioxidant; tyrosinase inhibitor; me...
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Excellent
Chemical family
Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Emollient
CAPE ALOE
Good
Browse nearby
Skin Conditioning
CAPSAICIN
Good
Browse nearby
Fragrance, Skin Conditioning
Is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride in your formulation.