murphyCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
AKA: 70424-62-3, Octanoyl salicylic acid, Octanoate, Benzoic acid, 2-(OCTANOYLOXY)BENZOIC ACID, 2-10-00-00043 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Acid
Clean
OriginDerived from salicylic acid and caprylic acid, both members of the beta-hydroxy acid and fatty acid chemical families respectively. Synthesized through esterification of salicylic acid with caprylic acid to create the combined compound.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (ester) is a cosmetic ingredient used as skin conditioning. Assessed as safe by the CIR. See also: n-Octanoyl-5-salicylic acid (annotation moved to).
Formula
C15H20O4
Mol. Weight
264.32
CAS #
70424-62-3
Form
Liquid
State
Solid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
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.
Unclogs pores
Supports cell turnover
Controls excess oil
Fights acne
Causing bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory2 listings →
🛡️Safety-assessed5 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Mixed Phototoxicity Results
Both phototoxic and non-phototoxic results in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 790)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
5 studies / 3 irritating / 1 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions slight (CIR 790)
Mixed Sensitization Results
10 studies / 3 sensitizing / 7 not sensitizing / plus 3 case reports (CIR 790)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 1 irritating / 2 mixed / reactions slight to severe (CIR 790)
Dermal Absorption 6%
human skin / in vitro Franz diffusion chamber / 16-h contact (CIR 790)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.1–0.5%
Rinse-off0.1–0.4%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 3%
CIR reported use · 2018 survey
EU regulatory limit: 3.0%. (a) 3.0% (b) 2.0%. Not to be used for children under three years of age (11) Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 98.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR