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Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (superfat; small percentage)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Caprylic/capric triglyceride (CCT) is a clear, odorless, non-greasy emollient made by combining glycerin with the medium-chain fatty acids caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid, which are fractionated from coconut or palm-kernel oil. It is one of the most widely used carrier and emollient oils in modern cosmetics because it is oxidation-resistant (near-indefinite shelf life), light-textured, colorless, and compatible with almost every active — the ideal neutral base for ORY®‘s Build-Your-Own oils and serums. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded it is safe as used [1]. Its capric-acid component shows antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity against acne bacteria in laboratory studies [2], and as an emollient it supports barrier function and skin softness [3]. CCT spreads easily, absorbs quickly, and dissolves oil-soluble actives such as bakuchiol, vitamin E, and essential oils.
What is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride made of?
CCT is produced by fractionating coconut/palm-kernel oil into its medium-chain fatty acids, then esterifying them with glycerin. Composition:
Note: “fractionated coconut oil” (a physical fraction retaining some longer chains) and CCT (a re-esterified triglyceride) are closely related; ORY® labels by INCI name.
- Caprylic acid (C8, ~50–65%) and capric acid (C10, ~30–45%) triglycerides: Saturated medium-chain fats — resistant to oxidation and rancidity.
- Glycerin backbone: Esterified; no free glycerin.
- No lauric acid (unlike whole coconut oil): Lighter, less comedogenic, does not solidify in cold.
- Physical form: Clear, odorless liquid; melting point below 0 °C; stable across pH and temperature.
What skin type is best suited for Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride?
CCT suits all seven ORY® skin types as a neutral, light emollient and carrier:
- Oily: Light, fast-absorbing; low comedogenicity.
- Acne-prone: Non-greasy; capric acid shows anti-acne activity [2]; ideal carrier for tea tree and bakuchiol.
- Combination: Balanced base for facial oils.
- Sensitive: Odorless, allergen-free, non-irritating; excellent for reactive skin.
- Normal: Everyday carrier and emollient.
- Dry: Softens and smooths; blend with richer oils for more occlusion.
- Mature: Carrier for antioxidants and retinol-alternatives; silky feel.
What hair type is best suited for Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride?
CCT is a lightweight hair oil and carrier that adds shine without heaviness:
- Straight and wavy: Weightless shine and frizz control.
- Oily scalp: Light carrier for scalp actives that does not clog.
- Dry or damaged: Smooths and softens; blend with argan or shea.
- Curly and coily: Light sealing oil; pairs with heavier oils for coils.
- Color-treated: Adds shine; stable, non-oxidizing.
- Sensitive scalp, dandruff-prone: Neutral carrier for tea tree, rosemary, and salicylic-acid oil serums.
- Mature or thinning: Carrier for scalp serums.
What are the benefits of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride?
CCT’s benefits are functional and well characterized [1–3]:
- Emollient: Softens and smooths skin and hair; improves spreadability of creams.
- Barrier support: Reduces water loss as a light occlusive [3].
- Oxidation-resistant: Saturated medium chains do not go rancid; extends product shelf life.
- Carrier and solvent: Dissolves oil-soluble actives, essential oils, and pigments; enhances delivery.
- Antibacterial support: Capric acid inhibits acne bacteria and inflammation in vitro [2].
- Non-comedogenic profile: Lighter than whole coconut oil.
- Silky, non-greasy feel: Improves sensory of oils and emulsions.
- Hair shine and slip: Lightweight conditioning.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
CCT is a stable, neutral oil that fits all four ORY® lines; in soap it is best kept small or used as superfat because medium-chain triglycerides produce a soft, low-lather bar when saponified.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Base for facial and body oils, serums, cleansing oils, creams, lotions, balms; carrier for bakuchiol, vitamin E, and essential oils. |
5–100% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Hair oils, scalp serums, leave-ins, conditioners, shine sprays. |
2–50% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Superfat at trace or ≤5% of recipe oils (fully saponified CCT gives a soft bar; SAP ~0.232 NaOH). |
2–5% of oils |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Foundations, primers, lip products, cream blush, makeup removers, pigment dispersion. |
5–40% |
Pros and cons of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Pros
Cons
- Universally compatible: Neutral base for any active.
- Stable: Long shelf life; no rancidity.
- Light, odorless, colorless: Does not alter product aesthetics.
- Safe and well tolerated: CIR-reviewed [1]; suitable for sensitive skin.
- Four-line utility: Skin, hair, soap, and makeup.
- No inherent actives: Provides little vitamin or antioxidant value of its own — add botanicals.
- Processed: Not a cold-pressed “whole” oil; may not suit strict natural positioning.
- Palm sourcing: Choose coconut-derived or RSPO-certified material.
- Soft soap: Keep to small percentages in bars.
- Limited barrier depth: Less occlusive than heavier oils for very dry skin.
What is the best application of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride?
CCT is the everyday carrier and emollient across ORY® products:
- Build-Your-Own facial oil: Neutral base for customer-chosen botanicals and actives.
- Serum carrier: Oil-phase vehicle for bakuchiol, retinol alternatives, and vitamin E.
- Cleansing oil: Dissolves makeup and sunscreen.
- Lotion and cream emollient: 5–15% for slip and softness.
- Hair oil or scalp serum: Light shine; carrier for rosemary and tea tree.
- Soap superfat: Small percentage for mildness.
- Cosmetics: Pigment dispersion in foundations and lip products.
- Massage oil: Odorless, stable base.
Peer-reviewed references
- Andersen FA (Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel). Final report on the safety assessment of trilaurin, triarachidin, tribehenin, tricaprin, tricaprylin, trierucin, triheptanoin, triheptylundecanoin, triisononanoin, triisopalmitin, triisostearin, trilinolein, trimyristin, trioctanoin, triolein, tripalmitin, tripalmitolein, triricinolein, tristearin, triundecanoin, glyceryl triacetyl hydroxystearate, glyceryl triacetyl ricinoleate, and glyceryl stearate diacetate. International Journal of Toxicology. 2001;20(Suppl 4):61–94.
- Huang WC, Tsai TH, Chuang LT, Li YY, Zouboulis CC, Tsai PJ. Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of capric acid against Propionibacterium acnes: a comparative study with lauric acid. Journal of Dermatological Science. 2014;73(3):232–240.
- Lodén M. Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2003;4(11):771–788.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about caprylic/capric triglyceride as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including acne, dry-skin disorders, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Caprylic/capric triglyceride is rarely irritating, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
