What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “Octanamide, N-Hydroxy-.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CAPRYLHYDROXAMIC ACID
- CAS number
- 7377-03-9
- EC number
- 230-936-7
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Caprylhydroxamic Acid in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Chelating
-
Binds metal ions, such as those in hard water, so they don’t spoil the product. Clarifying shampoos often list one.
Register definition: “Forming complexes with metal ions which could affect the stability and/or appearance of cosmetics.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Leave-in conditioners without it
Every label, product by product (9)
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo Shampoo 25th of 27 names
- Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 16th of 31 names
- Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 15th of 34 names
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 27th of 29 names
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque Deep conditioner 33rd of 35 names
- SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque Deep conditioner 23rd of 23 names
- Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray Leave-in conditioner · listed as Caprylhydroxamic Acid* 22nd of 24 names
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist Leave-in conditioner 24th of 25 names
- SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 27th of 28 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other chelating ingredients on these labels
- Disodium EDTA 38 labels
- Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate 13 labels
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate 9 labels
- Sodium Gluconate 7 labels
- Phytic Acid 6 labels
- Tetrasodium EDTA 6 labels
- Gluconolactone 5 labels
- Calcium Gluconate 4 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.