Allowed in EU

Caproic Acid

A cosmetic ingredient used as cleansing, fragrance, perfuming in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.

What is it?

Hexanoic Acid; Caproic Acid

What does it do?

Caproic Acid is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:

  • Cleansing

    helps remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other contaminants from skin or hair

  • Fragrance

    provides scent or masks the natural odour of other ingredients

  • Perfuming

    adds scent to a cosmetic product

  • Surfactant - cleansing

    surfactant whose primary cosmetic role is cleansing — the active workhorse in soaps, shampoos, and body washes

  • Surfactant - emulsifying

    surfactant that forms and stabilises emulsions of oil and water — without it, creams and lotions would separate

EU regulatory status

Caproic Acid is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the European Union under Regulation 1223/2009. It is not subject to a specific Annex restriction at the time of writing.

Frequently asked questions

What is Caproic Acid?

Caproic Acid is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Hexanoic Acid; Caproic Acid

Is Caproic Acid allowed in cosmetics in the EU?

Yes. Caproic Acid is allowed for use in cosmetic products in the EU under Regulation 1223/2009.

What does Caproic Acid do in cosmetic products?

Caproic Acid is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: cleansing, fragrance, perfuming, surfactant - cleansing, surfactant - emulsifying.

What is the CAS number of Caproic Acid?

The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Caproic Acid is 142-62-1.

Related ingredients

Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 15/10/2010