Dicaprylyl Carbonate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a lightweight emollient and spreading agent that gives formulas a dry, silky slip without a heavy residue. It is often used to improve glide, reduce greasiness, and help disperse oil-soluble ingredients.
What does Dicaprylyl Carbonate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient and spreading agent that gives formulas a dry, silky slip without a heavy residue. It is often used to improve glide, reduce greasiness, and help disperse oil-soluble ingredients.
Is Dicaprylyl Carbonate clean?
It is generally well tolerated, non-sensitizing for most users, and not a common clean-standard flashpoint. Clean-beauty concerns are usually limited to feedstock traceability rather than skin compatibility.
Is Dicaprylyl Carbonate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from plant-derived fatty alcohols, often linked to coconut or palm kernel supply chains, so sourcing certification can matter. It is expected to be readily biodegradable and does not have the persistence profile associated with silicone oils.
Is Dicaprylyl Carbonate COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and can be used in COSMOS-organic products when compliant feedstocks and processing are documented. Its fit with Green Chemistry is strong when made from renewable fatty alcohols using efficient esterification or it chemistry and without problematic residual solvents.
How does Dicaprylyl Carbonate work chemically?
The molecule is a symmetrical it ester built from medium-chain fatty alcohol units, which explains its low viscosity, high spreadability, and dry emollient feel. It is typically used around 1% to 20% in emulsions, anhydrous oils, sunscreens, and makeup, and it is broadly stable in normal cosmetic pH ranges but can hydrolyze under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Last updated 2026-05-13