Caprylyl Glycol

An emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Moisturizing
Other functions
Origin
Caprylyl Glycol

Overview

Caprylyl glycol can be plam- or coconut-based for natural origins, and it can also be petrochemically derived.

This ingredient functions as an emollient, in which it fills in microcracks at the surface of the skin to make the skin appear smoother and softer. Caprylyl glycol improves spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. Since it melts around room temperature, this ingredient can appear as a soft, waxy solid or a clear liquid.

Caprylyl glycol also acts as a preservative booster and is commonly paired with other preservatives to help improve their efficacy.

According to the manufacturer, it may also be humectant moisturizing, helping to attract water to the skin surface.