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Glyceryl Caprate

What Glyceryl Caprate is & what it does

Glyceryl Caprate is an ester of glycerin and capric acid, a fatty acid often derived from coconut or palm oil. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it acts as an emollient and a co-emulsifier, helping condition the skin and keep oil and water phases blended. It can also support a smooth, lightweight texture and is sometimes used to help boost a product's freshness.

Is Glyceryl Caprate safe in skincare?

Glyceryl Caprate is an ester of glycerin and capric acid that is widely used in cosmetics and generally considered safe and well tolerated for topical use at typical levels. It functions as an emollient and co-emulsifier. As with any ingredient, those with known sensitivities should review the full label.

Does Glyceryl Caprate clog pores?

Glyceryl Caprate is used as a lightweight emollient and co-emulsifier and is not generally singled out as a high pore-clogging ingredient, though individual responses to any emollient can vary. Whether a finished product feels pore-clogging depends on the full formula, not one ingredient. People prone to congestion may prefer to patch test a new product.

Is Glyceryl Caprate natural or synthetic?

Glyceryl Caprate is usually made by combining glycerin with capric acid, both of which can be sourced from plant oils such as coconut or palm. The finished ester is typically considered semi-synthetic, made from naturally derived building blocks. When the source oils are plant-based, it is generally suitable for vegan formulas.

Sunscreens with Glyceryl Caprate

We rate 7 sunscreens that contain it:

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