CAPRYLIC/HYDROXYAMIC ACID ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used as a preservative booster and chelating agent, especially to support control of yeast and mold by binding iron needed for microbial growth.
What does CAPRYLIC/HYDROXYAMIC ACID do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used as a preservative booster and chelating agent, especially to support control of yeast and mold by binding iron needed for microbial growth.
Is CAPRYLIC/HYDROXYAMIC ACID clean?
Clean-beauty retailers often view it more favorably than many conventional preservatives because it is effective at low levels and has a relatively low sensitization profile. The main friction is that it is synthetically converted and can cause irritation if used above typical formulating ranges.
Is CAPRYLIC/HYDROXYAMIC ACID sustainable?
Its C8 fatty-acid feedstock is commonly sourced from coconut or palm-kernel oil, so supplier traceability matters. It is not known for high environmental persistence, but the final material depends on chemical processing rather than simple extraction.
Is CAPRYLIC/HYDROXYAMIC ACID COSMOS-approved?
It is not one of the standard COSMOS-listed preservative actives, so alignment is conditional and documentation-dependent when used as a multifunctional chelator. From a Green Chemistry lens, it scores reasonably on low use level and partial renewable sourcing, with a weaker mark for synthetic conversion.
How does CAPRYLIC/HYDROXYAMIC ACID work chemically?
The molecule is amphiphilic, with a short fatty chain and a polar metal-binding amide-type head group that has strong affinity for ferric ions. Typical use is about 0.05 to 0.3 percent, often paired with glycols or glyceryl esters, and it performs best in mildly acidic to neutral formulas.
Last updated 2026-05-16