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Tricaprylyl Citrate
AKA “Trioctyl citrate, Bernel ester TCC, Tri-n-octyl citrate, Citric acid, trioctyl ester, BXW1GAI4TA, UNII-BXW1GAI4TA, Tricaprylyl citrate [INCI], 1, 2, 3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, DTXSID30167837”
Emollient
Ingredient Facts
Tricaprylyl citrate
AKA: Trioctyl citrate, Bernel ester TCC, Tri-n-octyl citrate, Citric acid, Trioctyl ester, BXW1GAI4TA, UNII-BXW1GAI4TA, Tricaprylyl citrate [INCI], 1, 2, 3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, DTXSID30167837
Emollient · Emollient · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Plant Oil
Clean
1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, trioctyl ester
Formula
C30H56O7
Mol. Weight
528.80
CAS #
16502-99-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic ester combining citric acid with caprylyl alcohols, developed in modern cosmetic chemistry. Designed as a lightweight emollient and humectant for skincare and makeup formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overv...
Bikash Chandra Behera
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overv...
Bikash Chandra Behera
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overv...
Bikash Chandra Behera
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overview.
Behera BC
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overview.
Behera BC
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overview.
Behera BC
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overview.
Behera BC
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Citric acid from Aspergillus niger: a comprehensive overview.
Behera BC
Critical reviews in microbiology, 2020
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Acetyl Triethyl Citrate, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Acetyl Trihexyl Citrate, and Acetyl Trioctyl Citrate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Citric Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Tricaprylyl Citrate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Citric Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Tricaprylyl Citrate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Heldreth BA, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2014
→
Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Heldreth BA, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2014
→
Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Heldreth BA, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2014
→
Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Heldreth BA, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2014
→
Citric acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Final report on the safety assessment of acetyl triethyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl trihexyl citrate, and acetyl trioctyl citrate.
Johnson W Jr
International journal of toxicology, 2002
→
Final report on the safety assessment of acetyl triethyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, acetyl trihexyl citrate, and acetyl trioctyl citrate.
Johnson W Jr
International journal of toxicology, 2002
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR