Tri-C14-15 Alkyl Citrate
molecular structure · PubChem
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Clean
1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, tris(C14-15-alkyl)esters
Effective at 4.5%
CAS #
222721-94-0
Form
Liquid
Functions
Plasticiser
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A modern synthetic ester combining citric acid with medium-chain alkyl alcohols. Created for cosmetics as a non-greasy emollient and texture modifier in foundations, sunscreens, and body care products.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0005%
9.0%
0%13%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.0005-9 | 0.1-5
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR