Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is PEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides natural?

Mostly not. The glycerin and coconut-derived C8-C10 fatty acids are natural, but the 8-unit ethylene oxide chain grafted on is petrochemical.

INCI namePEG-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockCaprylic and capric acids come from coconut or…

How we scored it

Caprylic/capric monoglyceride core (glycerin + avg C9 acid - H2O, natural, ≈232 Da) + 8 mol ethylene oxide (petrochemical, 8×44=352 Da) = 584 Da; 232/584 ≈ 0.40.
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

Caprylic and capric acids come from coconut or palm kernel oil, esterified onto glycerin to form the base glyceride. That glyceride is then reacted with ethylene oxide, a petrochemical gas, to improve water solubility.

In plain English

A mild emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, often used in cleansers. It starts from coconut-oil-derived fatty acids attached to glycerin, then gets a synthetic chain added to make it dissolve better in water.

CosIng definition: Mono-, di- and triglycerides, C8-C10, ethoxylated (8 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

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 Behenic Acid 100% natural origin

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 C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

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 C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

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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. 2PEG-8 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3PEG-8 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PEG-8%20CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC%20GLYCERIDES