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Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

What Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate is & what it does

A lightweight emollient ester made by joining butylene glycol with caprylic and capric fatty acids derived from coconut or palm oil. In a sunscreen it spreads the formula smoothly, softens the skin, and gives a light, non-greasy slip that helps filters apply evenly. It also acts as a solvent that can help dissolve oil-soluble UV filters and improve the overall feel.

What is Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate is a lightweight emollient ester, made by joining butylene glycol with caprylic and capric fatty acids. In a sunscreen it spreads the formula smoothly, softens the skin and gives a light, non-greasy slip. It can also help dissolve oil-soluble UV filters so they distribute evenly across the skin.

Is Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate safe?

Yes. It is a well-tolerated emollient ester that works on the surface of the skin and is widely used in moisturizers and sunscreens. The fatty acids it is built from come from coconut or palm oil, and the finished ester is gentle and non-irritating for most people. It carries no notable safety concern at cosmetic levels.

Does Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate clog pores?

Generally no. Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate is a light, fast-spreading ester rather than a heavy oil or butter, and it is typically treated as low on the comedogenicity scale. It is often chosen specifically to give slip without a greasy, occlusive feel. Very acne-prone skin should still judge the whole formula, since heavier oils elsewhere matter more.

Is Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate a humectant?

Not in the usual sense. Despite the butylene glycol in its name, this ingredient behaves mainly as an emollient ester, softening and smoothing the skin and improving slip, rather than drawing in water the way a standalone humectant does. The butylene glycol here is bonded to fatty acids, which changes how it acts. Hydration in a formula comes more from humectants like glycerin.

Is Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate natural?

Partly. The caprylic and capric fatty acids come from natural sources such as coconut or palm oil, while the ester itself is assembled in the lab. The finished ingredient is plant-derived in origin and generally suitable for vegan formulas, even though it does not occur ready-made in nature.

Sunscreens with Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

We rate 295 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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