How we scored it
Polyglycerin-4 (glycerol tetramer, natural) monoesterified with caprylic acid C8 (coconut/palm, natural); both fragments natural → 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.
Where it comes from
Made by esterifying polyglycerin-4 (oligomerised vegetable glycerin) with caprylic acid from coconut or palm kernel oil. Petrochemical caprylic acid is technically possible but not the commercial norm.
In plain English
Made from glycerin (vegetable-derived) linked into a longer chain and combined with caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut or palm oil. Softens skin and helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions.
CosIng definition: Polyglyceryl-4 Caprylate is the monoester of Caprylic Acid and Polyglycerin-4
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.
- 2POLYGLYCERYL-4 CAPRYLATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3POLYGLYCERYL-4 CAPRYLATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=POLYGLYCERYL-4%20CAPRYLATE