Ingredient Dictionary

CAPRYLIC ACID

Octanoic acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid that is heptane in which one of the hydrogens of a terminal methyl group has been replaced by a carboxy group.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 29 list it before the 1% line and 82 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 111 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 111

Definition

Octanoic acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid that is heptane in which one of the hydrogens of a terminal methyl group has been replaced by a carboxy group. Octanoic acid is also known as caprylic acid. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid and a medium-chain fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of an octanoate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII OBL58JN025 · registered name Caprylic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Listed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCEMixes and holds oil and water togetherSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYINGSurfactant that lifts dirtSURFACTANT - CLEANSINGWashes away surface impuritiesCLEANSINGGives the product a scentPERFUMING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report: Safety Assessment of Fatty Acids and Fatty Acid Salts as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name カプリル酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される脂肪酸である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

CAPRYLIC ACIDINCI카프릴릭애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Octanoic acidSynonymカプリル酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 124-07-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 204-677-5
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID3021645
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID501645

IUPAC: Octanoic acid
Molecular formula: C8H16O2
Molecular weight: 144.214 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Octanoic acid appears as a colorless to light yellow liquid with a mild odor. Burns, but may be difficult to ignite. Corrosive to metals and tissue. · Liquid, Other Solid
Odour: FAINT, FRUITY-ACID ODOR · UNPLEASANT AND IRRITATING ODOR
Boiling point: 463.5 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 239 °C
Melting point: 61 to 62 °F (NTP, 1992) · 16.3 °C
Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 64 °F (NTP, 1992) · 789 mg/L (at 30 °C)
Density: 0.91 (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.910 at 20 °C/4 °C
Viscosity: 5.74 mPa.sec · 5.86 cP (20 C)
Dissociation constant: 4.89 (at 25 °C) · pKa = 4.895 at 25 °C
Melting/freezing point: 17 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 240 ℃
Flash point: 110 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 6.4 / 1 %
Vapour pressure: 0.00371 ㎜Hg (at 25 C)
Water solubility: 789 ㎎/ℓ (at 30 C)
Vapour density: 5.00
Relative density: 0.9088
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 3.05
Auto-ignition temperature: 440 ℃
Molecular weight: 144.22

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 48 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance5
Lubricating agent5
Surfactant (surface active agent)5
Processing aids not otherwise specified4
Cleaning agent4
Flavouring and nutrient3
Corrosion inhibitor3
Intermediate3

10 other uses

Preservative2
Deodorizer2
Viscosity modifier2
Soil amendments2
Emulsifier2
Dye2
No specific technical function1
Monomers1
Plasticizer1
Fixing agent (mordant)1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

5 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 7 studies

Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Corrosive
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) 1981 according to
Skin Corr. 1C
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Corrosive
skin corrosion: in vitro / ex vivo · Screening · other guideline: OECD Guideline 430 (In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Transcutaneous Electrical Resistance Test (TER)) adopted April 2004 equivalent or similar to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) adopted 24 April 2002 according to other guideline: Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2008, L142, Annex Part B 30 May 2008 according to EPA OPPTS 870.2400 (Acute Eye Irritation) August 1998 according to