What it is
In the register’s words: “Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
- CAS number
- 73398-61-5/ 65381-09-1
- EC number
- 277-452-2/ 265-724-3
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride 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.
- Fragrance
-
Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
- Solvent
-
Dissolves other ingredients. Water is the most common; some alcohols and glycols carry this role too.
Register definition: “Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).”
- Perfuming
-
Used as a perfume or scent material. Essential oils and their scent compounds, such as linalool and limonene, carry this role.
Register definition: “Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials.”
- Occlusive
-
Forms a layer that slows water loss. Heavier oils, butters and waxes carry it.
Register definition: “Retarding the evaporation of water from the skin surface. Occlusives are generally lipids which tend to remain on the skin surface and thus increase the water content of skin.”
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 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 5 labels First five names: 4 of 5 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 4 labels First five names: 1 of 4 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 5 labels First five names: 2 of 5 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 4 labels First five names: 2 of 4 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Protein treatments without it
- Hair oils 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Hair oils without it
- Curl refreshers 3 labels First five names: 2 of 3 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (26)
- As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner Shampoo 22nd of 25 names
- DevaCurl Buildup Buster Clarifying shampoo 7th of 22 names
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 23rd of 39 names
- OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 4th of 66 names
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 3rd of 25 names
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 4th of 26 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 5th of 30 names
- Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 29th of 41 names
- Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 5th of 34 names
- Mielle Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 9th of 38 names
- Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask Deep conditioner 34th of 50 names
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 27th of 29 names
- PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 5th of 43 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 7th of 37 names
- DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Leave-in conditioner 8th of 39 names
- Innersense Organic Beauty Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 5th of 24 names
- Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 32nd of 36 names
- Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream Styler 2nd of 21 names
- Innersense Organic Beauty Quiet Calm Curl Control Styler 3rd of 31 names
- Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Hold Styler 11th of 20 names
- Kristin Ess Sea Salt Air Dry Mousse Styler 41st of 47 names
- SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment Protein treatment 3rd of 25 names
- Bouclème Revive 5 Hair Oil Hair oil 2nd of 31 names
- Curlsmith Shake & Shine Curl refresher 2nd of 51 names
- Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray Curl refresher 2nd of 25 names
- PATTERN Hydrating Mist Curl refresher 36th of 52 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 fragrance ingredients on these labels
- Fragrance (Parfum) 133 labels
- Potassium Sorbate 61 labels
- Sodium Benzoate 61 labels
- Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil 32 labels
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil 26 labels
- Sodium Chloride 26 labels
- Benzoic Acid 25 labels
- Citral 20 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.