Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(C10-H20-O2.x-C8-H16-O2.x-C3-H8-O3)

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (CCT) is a medium-chain triglyceride made from natural ingredients such as vegetable oils and glycerine. The most commonly used vegetable oils are coconut oil and palm oil. The medium-chain triglycerides in the oils are separated and combined with glycerine to make CCT. 1

Medium-chain triglycerides are known to have multiple health benefits. Caprylic triglyceride itself is particularly known to have a therapeutic effect in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. 2,3 CCT is used in the beauty and personal care industry for its high penetration properties, emolliency, and its ability to prevent moisture loss from the skin by forming an occlusive barrier. 4 It thus helps in boosting hydration of the skin by aiding in preventing moisture loss. Besides being a functional ingredient it is a sensorial ingredient that gives the formula an easy soft and silky spread. 4, 5, 6 Cosmetic Ingredient Review has conducted a safety analysis and concluded that CCT is a safe ingredient to be used in cosmetics and skincare products. 7

References:

  1. Synthesis and characterization of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) from virgin coconut oil (VCO). AIP Conference Proceedings 2243,020007,2020.
  2. Caprylic Triglyceride as a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Effectively Improve the Performance and Attenuate the Symptoms Due to the Motor Neuron Loss in ALS Disease. | PLUSone, Nov 2012, Vol 7, Issue 11.
  3. New medical food therapy for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Issues Ment Health Nurs 31: 435–436.
  4. Vibrational spectroscopy coupled to classical least square analysis, a new approach for the determination of skin moisturizing agents’ mechanisms. Skin Research and Technology 20.3, 282-292, 2014.
  5. Novel silicone-based O/W emulsifier with skin smoothing sensation. Cosmetics and toiletries 117.5, 71-81, 2002.
  6. Enhancing effects of lipophilic vehicles on skin penetration of methyl nicotinate in vivo. J Pharm Sci 1995 Feb;84(2):195-8.
  7. Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene–quantitative and visual evaluation. J Cosmet Sci Jan-Feb 2009;60(1):15-24.
  8. Amended Safety Assessment of Triglycerides as Used in Cosmetics.Cosmetic Ingredient Review.