Database/Foam Boosting Surfactant/PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether natural?

Mostly not. Natural C8 fatty alcohol is etherified with three petrochemical propylene-oxide units, which make up over half the mass.

INCI namePPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
FunctionFoam Boosting Surfactant · Solvent
FeedstockCaprylyl (octyl) alcohol, assumed oleochemical (coconut/palm-kernel) for cosmetic…

How we scored it

Caprylyl (C8) alcohol, assumed oleochemical, minus H = 129.2 Da / total [130.2+3×58.08=304.5] Da = 0.42; 3 PO units petrochemical.
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

Caprylyl (octyl) alcohol, assumed oleochemical (coconut/palm-kernel) for cosmetic grade, is propoxylated with petrochemical propylene oxide. A petrochemical oxo-alcohol route for the caprylyl portion also exists; supplier verification recommended.

In plain English

A solvent and foam-boosting ingredient. A fatty alcohol, usually from coconut or palm oil, is combined with a short chain of petroleum-derived propylene oxide.

CosIng definition: PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether is the polypropylene glycol ether of caprylic alcohol; Poly(oxy-1-methyl-1,2-ethandiyl), alpha-octyl-omega-hydroxy- (3 mol PO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether 100% natural origin

A mild, glycerin-based ether with an eight-carbon chain that helps cleanse and boost foam in washes. It joins…

 Decyl Alcohol 100% natural origin

A fatty alcohol usually made from coconut or palm kernel oil, occasionally made synthetically. Used as a conditioning…

 Myristyl Alcohol 100% natural origin

A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and to stabilize lotions and foams. It's typically made from coconut…

 Polyglyceryl-2 Lauryl Ether 100% natural origin

A gentle cleansing and foaming ingredient used in washes and shampoos. It's made by combining coconut- or palm-derived…

 Potassium Cocoyl Rice Amino Acids 100% natural origin

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 Sodium C8-10 Alkyl Sulfate 100% natural origin

A short-chain foaming cleansing agent (surfactant) used to lift dirt and boost foam in washes. It is made…

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