Caprylic triglyceride (CT) is a highly purified, versatile oil derivative found in a wide variety of consumer products, from skincare and cosmetics to food and nutritional supplements. Despite its technical name, this ingredient is the result of a chemical refining process that transforms natural oils into a stable, functional, and colorless liquid. Its widespread use is due to properties that enhance product performance and shelf-life, making it a preferred alternative to less stable traditional oils.
Defining Caprylic Triglyceride
Caprylic triglyceride is chemically classified as a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), meaning its fatty acid chains are shorter compared to the long-chain triglycerides found in many common vegetable oils. Specifically, it is a tri-ester composed of the saturated fatty acids caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10) attached to a glycerol backbone. This structure indicates a triglyceride built from caprylic and capric fatty acids.
The source material is almost exclusively natural, derived from the oils of the coconut and, less commonly, the palm kernel. While it originates from coconut oil, caprylic triglyceride is not the same as raw coconut oil, which contains a high percentage of the longer-chain lauric acid (C12). The purification process isolates only the desired medium-chain components, resulting in a product with distinctly different physical and performance characteristics.
From Raw Oil to Refined Ingredient
The production of caprylic triglyceride involves several steps to isolate the desired fatty acids and create a purified compound. The process begins with the hydrolysis of the raw coconut or palm kernel oil, using heat and pressure to split the original triglyceride molecule into crude fatty acids and glycerol. This initial step separates the long-chain fatty acids from the medium-chain ones.
Following hydrolysis, the mixture undergoes fractional distillation, which separates the fatty acids by chain length to isolate the specific caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acids. The final step is re-esterification, where these purified C8 and C10 fatty acids are recombined with glycerol to form the final caprylic triglyceride.
Primary Roles in Consumer Products
Caprylic triglyceride is used across numerous consumer product categories. In skincare, its primary role is as an emollient, softening and smoothing the skin by forming a light, non-greasy barrier that minimizes moisture loss. Its light, silky texture allows for rapid absorption without leaving the heavy, oily residue associated with traditional oils.
The compound is also used as a solvent and dispersing agent, especially in makeup and pharmaceutical formulations, where it effectively dissolves and uniformly distributes fat-soluble compounds like vitamins, pigments, and active ingredients. In food and supplements, it serves as a carrier oil for flavors and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), ensuring efficient delivery and stability while helping to extend the shelf life of products.
Safety Profile and Regulatory Status
Caprylic triglyceride is considered a safe ingredient, supported by regulatory evaluation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes its constituent parts, caprylic and capric acid, on its list of substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as a direct food additive. This status confirms its low toxicity profile.
For cosmetic applications, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that caprylic triglyceride is safe for use in personal care products, noting its low comedogenicity rating. Unlike raw coconut oil, the purified MCT does not tend to clog pores, making it suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Furthermore, tests confirm the ingredient has a low potential for causing skin irritation or sensitization, leading to its use in hypoallergenic formulations.