Emollient

Caprylic Triglyceride

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.
Limited Data
Insufficient safety data available. Consider enriching this ingredient.
Details

Description

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.

Purpose

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.
Profile

Properties

Silicone
Silicone free
Compliance

Regulatory Status

EU
Permitted
Safety
EXCELLENT
US
Permitted
Absorptionlow
Sensitizationnone
MoSadequate
NOAEL10 mg/kg
ConcernNone
Verdict

CIR Expert Panel confirmed very low toxicity; FDA GRAS for food use. Clinical in vivo evidence demonstrates skin hydration increase and TEWL reduction. Excellent oxidative stability due to fully saturated C8/C10 chains with no peroxidation concern. Functions as standard emollient carrier and as lipid matrix in advanced nanocarrier systems (SLN, NLC) and phospholipid delivery vehicles.

US Note

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.

Assessment

Ratings

Comedogenic0/5
LowHigh
Irritancy0/5
LowHigh
Reference

Identifiers

Category
Emollient
Updated
Apr 23, 2026

No registry identifiers available for this ingredient.