CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE - Skin Care Ingredients Curated By Mia Seilern

By KimReviewed Nataly

⚠️ Data is provided for informational purposes only. It may contain inaccuracies and should be independently verified. This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making health decisions.

Description: CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE — lightweight plant-derived emollient, solvent.

All Functions: lightweight plant-derived emollient, solvent

Quick Facts:

Category: emollient
Comedogenic Rating: 1/5

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

Caprylic/capric triglyceride is an emollient (a moisture-sealing ingredient) used in skincare formulations
Research shows it can increase skin hydration and reduce water loss from the skin’s surface
It works primarily through occlusion—creating a barrier that locks moisture in
Studies used it at 15% concentration in emulsion formulas

Safety: Generally Low ConcernResearch confidence: GoodCommon fungal-acne trigger

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🧪 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE

CAS Number: 73398-61-5/ 65381-09-1

Also Known As: —

Category: emollient

EC Number: 277-452-2/ 265-724-3

Korean Name: 카프릴릭/카프릭트라이글리세라이드

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE is an emollient ingredient used in skincare formulations.

lightweight plant-derived emollientsolvent

🌍 Regulatory Status

EU: No restriction on fileUS: No restriction on file

📊 Comedogenicity

🟥⬜⬜⬜⬜

1/5

📚 Research & Evidence

PUBMED CITATIONS

Data sources: EU CosIng PubMed

🔬 The Science

Caprylic/capric triglyceride is a type of emollient, meaning it’s designed to soften and hydrate skin. Here’s what the available research tells us: #1: When applied to skin, formulas containing 15% caprylic/capric triglyceride increased the amount of natural moisturizing compounds (specifically urocanic acid isomers) in the outermost layer of skin called the stratum corneum (Life (Basel), 2023). #2: The ingredient reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL)—the fancy term for water evaporating through your skin—while increasing superficial skin hydration, suggesting it creates an occlusive barrier that helps skin retain moisture (Life (Basel), 2023). The research indicates this moisturizing effect happens primarily through the occlusion mechanism: the ingredient sits on skin and prevents water from escaping.

However, it’s worth noting the available research is limited. Only one study abstract is provided here, and it focused on a specific formulation at a specific concentration. The research does not address how caprylic/capric triglyceride performs at other concentrations, in different formulas, or compared to other emollients. More information would be needed to make broader claims about its performance across different skincare products.

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

98%

Sensitive

95%

Oily

98%

Dry

96%

Combination

95%

Acne-prone

98%

Normal

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.