Capric Triglyceride Is a Unicorn of an Ingredient—Experts Explain Why

'Capric triglyceride' is a mouthful of an ingredient name, and if you're anything like us, it likely makes you think of the results of a cholesterol test more than anything else. But, it's actually a very commonly used skincare ingredient found in a laundry list of different products.

We asked board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, founder of Eternal Dermatology in Fulton, MD, and cosmetic scientist Shuting Hu, formulator and founder of Acaderma, to explain everything there is to know about capric triglyceride.

It's somewhat of a unicorn in the skincare world, used primarily for formulation purposes, but also with the added benefit of actually doing some great things for your skin as well.

What Is Capric Triglyceride?

"Capric triglycerides, sometimes called caprylic triglycerides, are fatty acids made with parts of coconut oil or palm kernel oil that are combined with glycerin," explains Rodney. Coconut oil is obviously a well-known skincare fan favorite, and capric triglyceride capitalizes on its many benefits. "Coconut oil contains a host of excellent fatty acids, including capric acid and caprylic acid. The process of creating capric triglycerides involves extracting these fats from coconut oil, removing the glycol, then adding back glycerin as a purification process," says Rodney.

Benefits of Capric Trigylceride for Skin

Full disclosure, the ingredient is first used for formulation purposes. As a result, it's often found in moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup, and soap, notes Hu. Plus, it can do some good things for your skin, too.

• Hydrates the skin: Capric triglyceride is an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin's surface and helping skin retain moisture, notes Rodney. (And again, it does so without ever feeling greasy or heavy.)
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles: As dehydrated skin is one of the main causes of wrinkles, the hydrating effects of capric triglyceride help to replenish lost moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
• Has antioxidant properties: "Caprylic acid, a key component of capric triglyceride, is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals that can cause skin damage and signs of aging," says Hu.
• Helps rebalance the skin's microbiome: Hu references a 2019 study that found the ingredient helped prevent certain bacterial growth (which tracks, given that coconut oil is a well-known antimicrobial).
• Offers a silky texture: Hu says that it works as a great binding agent and, even though it is derived from richer oils such as coconut and palm, still boasts a light and silky texture.
• Helps other ingredients blend: Capric triglyceride also helps other ingredients blend well together, and "although you can't find capric triglycerides in nature, it does have 'natural properties,' and as such is found in many clean beauty products," says Rodney.
• Multiple forms of use: Since you can use it topically, there are plenty of options for how and when you use capric triglyceride, from moisturizer to eye cream.
• Non-irritating: For the most part, capric triglyceride is non-irritating and safe for use with all skin types.

Side Effects

One of the reasons why capric triglyceride is so popular and prevalent is that it's non-irritating and safe for all skin types, a point made by both of our experts. The one caveat? "If you have a severe coconut allergy, avoid the ingredient," cautions Rodney. Still, it's generally considered extremely low-risk, adds Hu.

How to Use It

At the end of the day, "Capric triglyceride is a non-toxic ingredient that works very well in product formulations. Its skincare benefits are like the cherry on top, but you rarely have to seek out products that specifically include it because it's such a versatile and popular ingredient. It’s most likely already in many of your favorites," says Hu. The point being, don't worry about looking for it or getting hung up on a specific way to use it. Just know that many products contain it, and it is doing some good things for your skin.