Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide natural?

Mostly. Glucamine backbone from starch glucose and C8/C10 acyl chains from coconut or palm kernel oil are natural; only the N-methyl group from methylamine (methanol plus ammonia) is petrochemical.

INCI nameCapryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide
CAS1591782-62-5
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant · Foam Boosting Surfactant
FeedstockDominant route: glucose from corn or wheat starch…

How we scored it

C8 amide C15H31NO6 321.4: N-methyl (N + CH3, from methylamine) 29.0 petrochemical; rest 292.4 natural: 0.91. C10 analogue 349.5: 320.4/349.5 = 0.92. Mixture ~0.91.
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.

Where it comes from

Dominant route: glucose from corn or wheat starch is reductively aminated with methylamine and hydrogen, then N-acylated with coconut or palm kernel C8/C10 fatty acid (via acid chloride or methyl ester). No alternative route is commercially significant.

In plain English

A sugar-based surfactant used for cleansing, foaming and emulsifying. Glucose from starch is converted to methylglucamine and joined to coconut or palm kernel fatty acids (C8 and C10). The small N-methyl group comes from petrochemical methylamine.

CosIng definition: Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide is the product obtained by the reaction of Methylglucamine with a mixture of capryloyl and caproyl chloride.

Natural alternatives with the same function

Arachidic Acid 100% natural origin

A waxy fatty acid from peanut and other vegetable oils, used to thicken formulas and give creams and…

 Arachidyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A gentle, sugar-based emulsifier used in creams and lotions to stabilize formulas without harsh surfactants. It's made from…

 Behenic Acid 100% natural origin

A long-chain fatty acid from vegetable oil, used to thicken and stabilise creams and conditioners. It is extracted…

 C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing and emulsifying surfactant made by combining plant-derived fatty alcohols (coconut/palm) with glucose from starch.…

 C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing ingredient made from coconut or palm fatty alcohols and glucose; helps cleanse skin and…

 C18-36 Acid 100% natural origin

A blend of long-chain plant fatty acids used as a mild cleanser and thickener, giving body and a…

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. 2CAPRYLOYL/CAPROYL METHYL GLUCAMIDE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3CAPRYLOYL/CAPROYL METHYL GLUCAMIDE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CAPRYLOYL/CAPROYL%20METHYL%20GLUCAMIDE