How we scored it
Where it comes from
Caprylyl alcohol is derived from coconut or palm kernel oil; maleic acid is manufactured from petrochemical feedstocks. The ester combines two fatty chains with one petrochemical acid core.
In plain English
A lightweight, silky emollient and solvent used in skincare. Made by combining a coconut or palm-derived fatty alcohol with maleic acid, a petrochemical building block.
Natural alternatives with the same function
A soft wax from mimosa flowers used to condition skin and add emollience. It is derived directly from…
Acrocomia Aculeata Seed Butter 100% natural originA solid plant fat obtained from the seeds of the macauba palm, a South American tree, used to…
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract 100% natural originAn extract made from kiwi fruit, used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning and softening ingredient. Comes directly from…
Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil 100% natural originA plant oil pressed from kiwi seeds, used to soften and condition skin. It's a natural vegetable oil…
Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract 100% natural originAn extract of baobab fruit, from the African baobab tree. Used as an emollient to soften and smooth…
Adansonia Digitata Oil 100% natural originA rich vegetable oil pressed from the baobab tree's fruit pulp and leaves. Used to soften and condition…
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.
- 2DICAPRYLYL MALEATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3DICAPRYLYL MALEATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=DICAPRYLYL%20MALEATE