Database/Anti-Seborrheic/Propanediol Caprylate
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Propanediol Caprylate natural?

It depends. Caprylic acid comes from coconut or palm kernel oil, and the 1,3-propanediol part comes from corn-sugar fermentation (natural) or from petrochemical acrolein or ethylene oxide (not natural).

INCI namePropanediol Caprylate
CAS102731-54-4
FormulaC11H22O3 · 202.29 Da
FunctionAnti-Seborrheic · Skin Conditioning
FeedstockDominant cosmetic supply uses bio-based 1,3-propanediol from corn…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
Bio-based 1,3-propanediol (corn fermentation) esterified with coconut caprylic acidcorn glucose; coconut or palm kernel oil1.00~85%
Petrochemical 1,3-propanediol esterified with coconut caprylic acidacrolein or ethylene oxide; coconut or palm kernel oil0.63~15%
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

C11H22O3 202.3: octanoyl C8H15O 127.2 (coconut) + O-C3H6-OH 75.1 (propanediol). Bio-propanediol: 202.3/202.3 = 1.00; petrochemical propanediol: 127.2/202.3 = 0.63.
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

Dominant cosmetic supply uses bio-based 1,3-propanediol from corn fermentation esterified with oleochemical caprylic acid. A petrochemical propanediol route exists but is a smaller share.

In plain English

A skin-conditioning ester that also helps control oiliness. It joins caprylic acid from coconut or palm kernel oil to propanediol, which is mostly made by fermenting corn sugar.

CosIng definition: Propanediol Caprylate is the organic compound that conforms to the formula:

Natural alternatives with the same function

Achillea Millefolium Extract 100% natural origin

An extract from yarrow, a traditional herb, used to refresh and condition skin and help control oiliness. It's…

 Achillea Millefolium Oil 100% natural origin

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 Artemisia Annua Leaf Extract 100% natural origin

A leaf extract from sweet wormwood, used to condition skin and as a fragrance component. It is obtained…

 Capryloyl Glycine 100% natural origin

A deodorant, anti-microbial ingredient made by combining coconut-derived caprylic acid with the amino acid glycine. Used in deodorants…

 Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of chilli pepper fruit used to condition skin and hair and to give a warming, astringent…

 Chelidonium Majus Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of the leaves and stems of greater celandine, traditionally used on oily or flaky skin conditions.

Structure

2D structure of Propanediol Caprylate

3-hydroxypropyl octanoate

PubChem CID 9859067 ↗

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. 2Propanediol Caprylate. PubChem CID 9859067. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3PROPANEDIOL CAPRYLATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4PROPANEDIOL CAPRYLATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PROPANEDIOL%20CAPRYLATE