Why Is Caprylyl Glycol Good For The Skin?

Discover the subtle efficacy of caprylyl glycol, which nurtures the skin and provides a healthier, radiant look.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Meena Konada, MBBS, DDVL

Dr. Meena Konada is a board-certified dermatologist with 9 years of experience. She is a public health nutrition graduate from New Jersey, USA. She specializes in aesthetics and trichology and is a practicing consultant in one of the internationally renowned skin clinics in Hyderabad, India.

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Written by Swathi E, MA (English Literature) Experience: 3 years

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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Edited by Eshna Das, BA, MSc Experience: 3 years

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Experience: 4 years

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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Last Updated on Jan 22, 2024

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A lot of your skin concerns can be addressed by proper moisturization and care. Caprylyl glycol is one of the skin care ingredients for skin hydration. You might have noticed this name on the ingredients list and got confused with yet another drying alcohol. In reality, caprylyl glycol is a humectant. It is an alcohol-derivative of caprylic acid, which is naturally present in coconut oil.

Read on to know more about caprylyl glycol, its benefits, and how to use it.

In This Article

What Is Caprylyl Glycol?

Caprylyl glycol (or 1,2-octanediol) is an alcohol derivative of caprylic acid, a fatty acid found in coconut and palm kernel oils. Though it is an alcoholic derivative, it does not harm your skin but keeps it moisturized (1). It is a colorless liquid, has a neutral fragrance, and is produced synthetically for commercial and cosmetic uses.

Caprylyl glycol is widely used in skin care products because it works as a humectant and a natural preservative. It increases the shelf life of products and has several other benefits.

Benefits Of Caprylyl Glycol For Skin

1. Moisturizes The Skin: Caprylyl glycol is a humectant that pulls water from the dermis (second layer) to the epidermis (top layer) or from the atmosphere to your skin to keep it moisturized (2). Moisturized skin appears plump, smooth, soft, and youthful (with minimal fine lines).

2. Preserves Your Skin Care Products: It works as an excellent preservative because of its antimicrobial properties (2). It increases the shelf life of your skin care product and is a better alternative to chemical preservatives.

3. Improves Product Texture:The amphiphilic (water-loving and fat-loving) nature of caprylyl glycol increases the product’s spreadability, which aids in product application and proper absorption of the ingredients by your skin.

Pro Tip

Apply caprylyl glycol-containing skin care products in order of thickness, starting with thinner formulations such as toners, followed by thicker ones such as creams or lotions.

If you are wondering about the skin safety of caprylyl glycol, read the next section.

Is Caprylyl Glycol Safe? Are There Any Side Effects?

Yes. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, caprylyl glycol is safe to be used in skin care products (3). A study shows that products containing caprylyl glycol do not cause any skin sensitivity (4).

In addition, caprylyl glycol acts as a supporting ingredient in a product and is diluted before use. Therefore, the chances of side effects are very minimal. It may irritate the skin if used in high concentrations (which is usually not done).

Note: If you have sensitive skin or any existing skin condition, do a patch test before using it.

Caprylyl glycol is often misunderstood as it belongs to the glycol family. Many believe that glycols are sensitizers. But, the fact is, glycols are a broad class of chemicals, and each individual chemical has a unique chemical structure and property. Not all glycols irritate the skin.

Quick Tip

Exercise caution when combining products that contain caprylyl glycol with active ingredients such as acids or retinoids as it may make the skin more sensitive.

In the next section, we will understand how to use caprylyl glycol.

How To Use Caprylyl Glycol

Caprylyl glycol works well with all skin types and is commonly used in:

Moisturizers
Eye creams
Sunscreen
Serums

You can check the ingredients list of the product and use it as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Key Takeaways

Caprylyl glycol is an alcohol derivative of caprylic acid, a fatty acid found in coconut and palm kernel oils and is used as an alternative to parabens in skincare products.
Caprylyl glycol works as a humectant and is a natural preservative. It helps in moisturizing the skin and against prevention of the microbial growth in the products.
It is safe on the skin and does not cause skin sensitivity.

Caprylyl glycol is one of the best ways to moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. It is widely used across cosmetic products as an emollient and to increase the products shelf life. Caprylyl glycol’s amphiphilic property allows better application and absorption of other cosmetic products. In moderate quantities, caprylyl glycol is safe for application and has lower chances of causing skin irritation. You can choose moisturizers, creams, or lotions with caprylyl glycol for skin hydration and rejuvenation. People with sensitive skin should conduct a patch test before application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is caprylyl glycol fungal acne safe?

According to anecdotal evidence, caprylyl glycol is effective for fungal acne. The compound seems to have a mild antibacterial effect and lowers your chances of skin infection. It is usually considered safe when applied topically.

Is caprylyl glycol a silicone?

No, caprylyl glycol is not a silicone. It is an alcohol derived from caprylic acid, a fatty acid found in coconut and palm kernel oils.

Is caprylyl glycol similar to propylene glycol?

When you hear the word “glycol,” you might recall hearing that propylene glycol, a possibly toxic byproduct found in antifreeze and some foods, is potentially dangerous. However, while some glycols are potentially harmful and should not be used topically in any skin care product, caprylyl glycol is not one of them.

Watch this video for a better understanding of caprylyl glycol and its mode of action. Unravel why this ingredient is a skin care superhero and used in most beauty products. Play now to know more.

References

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