Caprylic/Capric/Lauric Triglyceride

AKA: Medium-Chain Triglyceride, MCT Oil

Synthetic

Skin Conditioner

Plant Oil

Clean

Dodecanoic acid, mixed triesters with octanoic acid, decanoic acid and 1,2,3-propanetriol

CAS #

-

Form

Liquid

Functions

Skin Conditioning

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

Locks in moisture

Traditional Use

Created in the mid-20th century as a synthetic emollient derived from coconut and palm-derived fatty acids. Developed to provide stable, lightweight moisturization in cosmetic formulations.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

ewg-1

medical-approval

pregnancy-nursing-safe

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types, gentle

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR