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Humectants & Emollients

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Also known as: CCT, MCT oil (cosmetic grade), Fractionated coconut oil, Neutral oil

Coconut oil, refined to perfection — the featherweight emollient that carries actives without grease, oxidation, or comedones.

  • By IngredientWiki Editorial Team
  • Fact-checked by IngredientWiki Editorial Team
  • Updated 2026-09-26
  • 2 min read

In short

Caprylic/capric triglyceride (CCT) is made from coconut or palm oil by isolating the medium-chain fatty acids (caprylic C8 and capric C10) and re-attaching them to glycerin. The result is a featherweight, odorless, colorless emollient that absorbs instantly, never goes rancid, and rates essentially non-comedogenic — properties that made it the most common base oil in modern cosmetics, from serums to sunscreens to baby oils. It is chemically the cosmetic cousin of oral MCT oil, though cosmetic grades may differ in source and purity. Its safety is exemplary; it is one of the least controversial ingredients in personal care.

  • Medium-chain triglyceride from coconut/palm fractionation
  • Featherweight, odorless, oxidation-stable emollient
  • Essentially non-comedogenic; suits all skin types
  • The most common base oil in modern cosmetics

What is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride?

Caprylic/capric triglyceride is what happens when coconut oil goes to finishing school. Fractionation strips out everything heavy, scented, and prone to spoilage, leaving a featherlight oil that glides, absorbs, and never betrays its presence — which is why it is the default base of modern serums, sunscreens, and leave-on treatments. It is the invisible carrier that lets actives do their work, with a safety and stability profile so clean that even the most ingredient-anxious consumers have nothing to fear.

Where it comes from

Natural sources

  • Derived from coconut or palm kernel oil by fractionation and esterification
  • Composed of caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids on glycerin
  • Nature-identical to components of coconut oil

How it's made

Colorless, odorless liquid; used at 1–50% across nearly every cosmetic category.

What it does in products

  • Light emollient and skin softener
  • Active-ingredient carrier and solvent
  • Oxidation-stable base oil
  • Texture and spreadability modifier

Benefits

Universal skin compatibility

strong evidence

Non-comedogenic, non-greasy, and well tolerated by every skin type including acne-prone and sensitive — the rare base oil with no constituency of complaints.

Formulation stability

strong evidence

Resists oxidation and rancidity, extending product shelf life and preserving the stability of co-formulated actives.

Actives delivery

strong evidence

Its low viscosity and rapid absorption make it an ideal carrier for retinoids, vitamins, and botanical actives in leave-on products.

Side effects & safety

Mild breakouts in extreme acne-prone skin (rare)Uncommon; rated among the least comedogenic oils.

Safety considerations

  • Considered safe topically.
  • None.
  • Not for: None

How it's used

In supplements

Cosmetic grade is topical; oral MCT oil (food grade) is a related but separate product.

In skincare

1–50% depending on product type; highest in oils and balms.

Regulatory status

  • GRAS food ingredient (as MCT); permitted cosmetic ingredient.
  • GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for food use.
  • INCI name on cosmetic labels: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.
  • CIR-reviewed and found safe in cosmetics.

Popular products containing Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

  • CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion — CCT-anchored baseCeraVe · Skincare
  • La Roche-Posay Toleriane line — Sensitive-skin bases with CCTLa Roche-Posay · Skincare
  • Most modern serums and sunscreens — Industry-default carrier oilVarious · Skincare

Product names and brands are shown for reference and belong to their respective owners.

Why it replaced mineral-heavy bases

Older cosmetics used mineral oil and lanolin, which occlude heavily; CCT offers similar softening with a dry, weightless finish and far better compatibility with modern actives. The shift to CCT is one of the quiet revolutions behind the 'lightweight' texture era of skincare.

CCT vs MCT

Chemically, cosmetic CCT and oral MCT oil are the same molecule family, but grades differ: cosmetic CCT is optimized for purity and sensory profile, while oral MCT is food-grade. Do not substitute one for the other — cosmetic grade is not intended for ingestion.

Frequently asked questions

Does caprylic/capric triglyceride clog pores?

No — it rates essentially non-comedogenic and is a standard base even in acne-care lines.

Is it coconut oil?

It is derived from coconut (or palm) but fractionated — none of coconut oil's heaviness, scent, or comedogenicity remains.

Is CCT natural?

It is nature-identical and plant-derived, though the processing is industrial. Most 'clean' beauty standards accept it.

The bottom line

Caprylic/capric triglyceride is the invisible backbone of modern skincare — a featherweight, stable, universally tolerated emollient that lets every other ingredient shine.

References

  1. Caprylic/capric triglyceride — Cosmetic Ingredient Review. CIR. https://www.cir-safety.org/ingredients
  2. Medium-chain triglycerides: properties and uses. PubMed Central. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31540572/
  3. Emollients in dermatology. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28880620/