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Dicaprylyl Ether

What Dicaprylyl Ether is & what it does

A fast-spreading, light emollient that reduces tackiness and gives a dry, smooth finish. It is often used to make oil-rich sunscreens feel lighter.

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

Dicaprylyl Ether is a light, fast-spreading emollient that smooths the skin and improves how a sunscreen applies. It reduces tackiness and gives a dry, non-greasy finish, which is why it is often added to oil-rich or high-SPF formulas to make them feel lighter. It also helps spread the UV filters evenly during application.

Is Dicaprylyl Ether safe?

Yes. It is a mild, well-tolerated emollient with no notable safety flags at cosmetic use levels. It is not a fragrance allergen and is generally considered gentle, which is part of why it appears in so many sunscreens. For most people it is non-irritating in leave-on products.

Does Dicaprylyl Ether clog pores?

Generally no. It is a light, dry-feel emollient rather than a heavy oil or wax, and it is often chosen precisely to keep a formula from feeling greasy. It is an unlikely pore-clogging culprit, though anyone very acne-prone can patch test a new product to be sure.

Is Dicaprylyl Ether a silicone?

No. It is an ether-based emollient derived from fatty alcohols, not a silicone, even though it gives a similar smooth, dry slip. Formulators sometimes use it as a lighter, plant-derived option to get a silicone-like feel without using silicone itself.

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

"Dicaprylyl Ether" is the INCI name shown on the label. It is usually derived from caprylic alcohol, which traces back to coconut or palm sources. You will normally find it in the oil-phase part of the list, near the other emollients and spreading agents.

Sunscreens with Dicaprylyl Ether

We rate 336 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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