Caprylic Acid
AKA “Decanoic acid, CAPRIC ACID, n-Decanoic acid, n-Capric acid, Decoic acid, Decylic acid, Caprinic acid, n-Decylic acid”
Acid
Ingredient Facts
Caprylic acid
AKA: Decanoic acid, CAPRIC ACID, N-Decanoic acid, N-Capric acid, Decoic acid, Decylic acid, Caprinic acid, N-Decylic acid
Acid · Cleanser · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Fragrance
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Acid
Clean
A natural fatty acid derived from coconut and palm kernel oils that softens and conditions skin and hair. It also has gentle antimicrobial properties, making it useful in products designed to cleanse and protect.
Formula
C8H16O2
Mol. Weight
144.21
CAS #
124-07-2
Form
Powder
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Cleanser
Fragrance
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Emulsifier
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing
Surfactant Cleansing
Traditional Use
A naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut oil and palm oil; historically used in soap-making and developed in the 20th century for modern cosmetic emulsification.
Skin Types
●Good for
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Capric Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Caprylic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxycapric Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxycaprylic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Undecanoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Capric Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Caprylic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydroxycapric Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydroxycaprylic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Combating Lead/HFD Neurotoxicity in Rats: The Synergistic Effect of 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.
Saleh SR, Atef E, Maher AM, Ghareeb DA, Sheta E et al.
Biological trace element research, 2026
Cosmetic creams with caprylic acid-based Natural Eutectic Solvents: Stability, rheology and user perception.
Verger A, Grard R, Pradel C, Perse X, Bouderbala S et al.
International journal of cosmetic science, 2025
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR