Is Coco-Caprylate natural? NOI 1.00

Q: Is Coco-Caprylate natural?

Coco-Caprylate has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 1.00 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Coconut-derived fatty alcohol esterified with coconut/palm-kernel-derived caprylic acid. An NOI of 1.00 means 100% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

How we scored it

Ester of coco fatty alcohol (C12-18) + caprylic acid (C8); both oleochemical fragments = 1.0.

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

Fischer esterification of caprylic acid with lauryl (coco) alcohol. Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Manufactured by esterifying coconut-oil-derived fatty alcohols with caprylic acid from coconut or palm kernel oil. Fatty alcohols can in principle be petrochemical (oxo/Ziegler); cosmetic grade is assumed oleochemical.

In plain English

A light, silky oil made by combining coconut-derived fatty alcohols with a coconut/palm-derived fatty acid. Used as an emollient to soften skin and give products a smooth, non-greasy feel.

References

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