Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Caprylic Acid. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 1125 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
Expert Verdict
Saturated medium-chain fatty acid with established antimicrobial activity via microbial membrane disruption. Better tolerated at equivalent concentrations than long-chain unsaturated free fatty acids. Irritation potential is concentration- and chain-length-dependent; typically used in esterified form in formulations to reduce irritation and improve stability.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caprylic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Saturated medium-chain fatty acid with established antimicrobial activity via microbial membrane disruption. Better tolerated at equivalent concentrations than long-chain unsaturated free fatty acids. Irritation potential is concentration- and chain-length-dependent; typically used in esterified form in formulations to reduce irritation and improve stability. The EU classifies Caprylic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Is Caprylic Acid allowed in the EU?
Caprylic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Caprylic Acid do in cosmetics?
Caprylic Acid functions as: Saturated medium-chain free fatty acid (C8:0). Functions as emollient, skin-conditioning agent, and antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial activity via destabilization of microbial cell membranes. Component of coconut and palm kernel oil; present in trace amounts in human sebum.. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 124-07-2.
What is the Margin of Safety for Caprylic Acid?
not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.
What is the NOAEL for Caprylic Acid?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Caprylic Acid is 1125 mg/kg bw/day based on a Developmental study via oral route in rat. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Compliance Tools
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Related Ingredients
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