The ingredient, explained

Caprylyl Glycol

Human patch tests examined a preservative combination.

HumectantEmollientHair conditioningSkin conditioning

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Octane-1‚2-diol

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Humectant: Helps attract and retain moisture.
Emollient: Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
Hair conditioning: Improves cosmetic hair properties such as softness, shine or combability.
Skin conditioning: A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human contact allergy research

No delayed type IV hypersensitivity was observed in the reported repeat-insult patch tests.

What this does not tell us

The tests used a two-ingredient preservative mixture and a finished formula. They do not isolate either ingredient or exclude all forms of irritation or allergy.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 19514921 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of 0 local candidate records, selected relevant abstracts, and targeted exact-name primary-source searches. Not a systematic review.