Database/Emollient/Tricaprylyl Citrate
100% natural origin · ISO 16128

Is Tricaprylyl Citrate natural?

Yes. Citric acid is a fermentation product and the octyl groups are assumed to be coconut or palm kernel caprylyl alcohol, so every fragment is natural-origin.

INCI nameTricaprylyl Citrate
CAS16502-99-1
FormulaC30H56O7 · 528.8 Da
FunctionEmollient · Skin Conditioning
FeedstockCitric acid from fungal fermentation of sugar is…

How we scored it

Citrate core C6H5O7 189 Da (fermentation citric acid) + 3 x octyl C8H17 340 Da (caprylyl alcohol, assumed oleochemical) = 529 Da; 528.8 / 528.8 = 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

Citric acid from fungal fermentation of sugar is esterified with n-octanol from hydrogenated coconut or palm kernel caprylic acid. Petrochemical Ziegler n-octanol exists, so a supplier note is advised.

In plain English

A light, oily emollient that softens and conditions skin, made by joining citric acid with caprylyl (octyl) alcohol, usually from coconut or palm kernel oil. It is used in creams, sunscreens and make-up.

Structure

2D structure of Tricaprylyl Citrate

trioctyl 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate

PubChem CID 9828350 ↗

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. 2Tricaprylyl Citrate. PubChem CID 9828350. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3TRICAPRYLYL CITRATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4TRICAPRYLYL CITRATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=TRICAPRYLYL%20CITRATE