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Dicaprylyl Carbonate

What Dicaprylyl Carbonate is & what it does

A light emollient that spreads filters and oils into an even film and gives a silky, non-greasy afterfeel. It also improves the solubility of UV filters, helping protection stay uniform.

What is Dicaprylyl Carbonate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Dicaprylyl Carbonate is a light emollient that spreads UV filters and oils into an even film and leaves a silky, non-greasy afterfeel. In a sunscreen it also improves the solubility of oil-based UV filters, which helps the protection stay uniform across the skin. It is prized for making formulas feel light and elegant rather than heavy or sticky.

Is Dicaprylyl Carbonate safe?

Yes. It is a well-tolerated cosmetic emollient that works on the skin surface to soften and spread the formula. It is mild for most people and is a common choice in lightweight sunscreens and moisturizers. Irritation is uncommon at the levels used to improve texture and filter solubility.

Does Dicaprylyl Carbonate clog pores?

Generally no. It is considered a light, non-greasy emollient and is not one of the classic pore-clogging ingredients. It is often chosen precisely to keep a sunscreen feeling weightless. If a product breaks you out, heavier oils and waxes elsewhere in the formula are the more likely cause.

What is Dicaprylyl Carbonate on an ingredient list (INCI)?

"Dicaprylyl Carbonate" is the INCI name printed on the label. It is an ester made from caprylyl alcohol and carbonic acid, and on an ingredient list it usually appears among the emollients in the upper or middle section. Seeing it there signals a formula designed for a light, silky finish.

Is Dicaprylyl Carbonate natural or synthetic?

It is best described as synthetic, though it is built from fairly natural building blocks. It is made by joining caprylyl alcohol, often derived from coconut or palm, into a carbonate ester in a lab. The finished emollient does not occur in nature in this form, and that is fine for the light, spreadable feel it provides.

Sunscreens with Dicaprylyl Carbonate

We rate 1168 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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