Allowed in EU

Caprylic Acid

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

What is it?

Octanoic acid

What does it do?

Caprylic 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

Caprylic 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 Caprylic Acid?

Caprylic Acid is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Octanoic acid

Is Caprylic Acid allowed in cosmetics in the EU?

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

What does Caprylic Acid do in cosmetic products?

Caprylic 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 Caprylic Acid?

The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Caprylic Acid is 124-07-2.

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