Database/Emollient/Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate natural?

Mostly. Caprylic and capric acids are coconut/palm-kernel oleochemicals; propylene glycol is an explicitly petrochemical diol.

INCI namePropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
CAS68583-51-7
FunctionEmollient
FeedstockMixed diester of coconut/palm-kernel-derived caprylic (C8) and capric…

How we scored it

Capryloyl C8H15O 127.2 Da + caproyl(capric) C10H19O 155.3 Da = 282.5 Da (natural) + propylene glycol core C3H6O2 74.1 Da (petrochemical). 282.5/356.5=0.79.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

How it’s made

Base-catalysed transesterification of methyl caprylate with propylene glycol (first arm drawn). The film draws the key step and names the steps after it. Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Mixed diester of coconut/palm-kernel-derived caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids with synthetic propylene glycol. The fatty-acid portion dominates the mass, giving a mostly-renewable result.

In plain English

An emollient ester made from coconut and palm-kernel-derived caprylic and capric fatty acids joined to synthetic propylene glycol. It gives lotions a light, non-greasy skin feel.

CosIng definition: Decanoic acid, mixed diesters with octanoic acid and propylene glycol

Natural alternatives with the same function

Acacia Dealbata Flower Wax 100% natural origin

A soft wax from mimosa flowers used to condition skin and add emollience. It is derived directly from…

 Acrocomia Aculeata Seed Butter 100% natural origin

A solid plant fat obtained from the seeds of the macauba palm, a South American tree, used to…

 Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract made from kiwi fruit, used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning and softening ingredient. Comes directly from…

 Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil 100% natural origin

A plant oil pressed from kiwi seeds, used to soften and condition skin. It's a natural vegetable oil…

 Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of baobab fruit, from the African baobab tree. Used as an emollient to soften and smooth…

 Adansonia Digitata Oil 100% natural origin

A rich vegetable oil pressed from the baobab tree's fruit pulp and leaves. Used to soften and condition…

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PROPYLENE%20GLYCOL%20DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE