Ingredient glossary

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

What Coco-Caprylate/Caprate does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.

INCI: Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Solid and proven

In short: Coco-Caprylate/Caprate delivers softening and silicone like texture, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate.

What it does
Softening, silicone like texture
Best for
Combination, Oily, Sensitive skin
Evidence
Moderate
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The Glow take

A comfort ingredient, and none the worse for it.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is here for feel and moisture, softening the skin and slowing water loss. More comfort than correction.

— Maya

What it does

  • softening
  • silicone like texture

moderate evidenceFormulator literature positions coco-caprylate/caprate as a green alternative to D4/D5 silicones with non-comedogenic, non-irritating profile.

On a label: usually effective at 2-15%.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

Tends to suit

  • oily
  • combo
  • sensitive

Approach with care

No specific group flagged to avoid it.

  • Clogs poresLow
  • Irritation riskLow

How it fits each skin type

  • DryNeutral
  • CombinationSuits
  • OilySuits
  • SensitiveSuits

Where it fits in your routine

WhenMorning and evening
Where in the orderAfter your actives, to seal everything in

Plays well with

  • humectants
  • silicones

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, answered

Is Coco-Caprylate/Caprate safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.

Who should avoid Coco-Caprylate/Caprate?

No specific group is flagged to avoid Coco-Caprylate/Caprate. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.

What concentration of Coco-Caprylate/Caprate actually works?

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate tends to do its job in the 2 to 15% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.

This, for every label you own

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Sources & how we reviewed this

Last reviewed July 2026. Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.