Caprylyl Glycol: Moisturizer or Preservative?
Arin Editorial · how this is made
When you see caprylyl glycol on a cosmetic label, you might wonder if it's a preservative. Partly yes, but its main job is moisturizing. Getting to know this ingredient will make the ingredient list more meaningful.
What is it?
Caprylyl glycol is a compound from the 1,2-glycol family. It is derived from caprylic acid, which occurs naturally in palm oil, coconut oil, or mammalian milk. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a faint odor. It is related to other common glycols like 1,2-hexanediol.
What does it do?
It takes on three tasks at once. First, it moisturizes: it draws water into the upper layers of the skin and softens it. Second, it conditions the skin, giving it a smooth feel. Third, it supports preservation: on its own it is not a strong preservative, but it boosts the action of other preservatives and extends a product's shelf life. So in formulas it appears as both a humectant and a preservative booster.
What do skin and eye irritation data say?
Here the picture is mixed. One skin irritation test reports 'no significant irritation,' while one eye irritation study classifies it as 'severe irritation'; another eye study saw no irritation. These records come from different methods, animal species, and doses. So a definitive 'it irritates eyes' or 'it doesn't' isn't clear. Skin sensitization tests with two different methods both found no sensitizing potential.
What is the safety limit?
According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) compilation, the highest use level in 1,721 leave-on products was recorded as 5%, and no safety concerns were found at current concentrations. Acute oral toxicity is low: LD50 values above 2 g/kg were measured in animals. Caprylyl glycol is not on the banned or restricted lists in the EU or China.
It is not restricted in the EU or China; the CIR panel stated there is no safety concern at use levels up to 5%.
You can use a product containing caprylyl glycol normally. If it contacts your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. If it causes redness, burning, or itching, stop using it and consult a dermatologist. Buying this ingredient alone and applying it to the skin is not advisable; it should be assessed within a cosmetic formula.
Sources
- EPA ToxValDB (cilt/göz tahrişi ve hassasiyet verileri)