Cetyl Caprate
AKA “Hexadecyl decanoate, Decanoic acid, hexadecyl ester, CAPRIC ACID, CETYL ESTER, CETYL CAPRATE [INCI]
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Cetyl caprate
AKA: Hexadecyl decanoate, Decanoic acid, Hexadecyl ester, CAPRIC ACID, CETYL ESTER, CETYL CAPRATE [INCI]
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Clean
Capric Acid, Cetyl Ester Science: Functions: Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning - Emollient Safety Ratings: CIR: Safe as used
Formula
C26H52O2
Mol. Weight
396.7
CAS #
29710-34-7
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Viscosity Controlling
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic ester developed in the 20th century as a lightweight emollient. Created to provide conditioning properties without the heaviness of traditional plant oils.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetyl Esters
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Capric Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cetyl Caprate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Cetyl Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydrogenated Castor Oil Cetyl Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hydroxycapric Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Undecanoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Capric Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Cetyl Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hydroxycapric Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Combating Lead/HFD Neurotoxicity in Rats: The Synergistic Effect of 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.
Saleh SR, Atef E, Maher AM, Ghareeb DA, Sheta E et al.
Biological trace element research, 2026
Solvent-free enzymatic production of high quality cetyl esters.
Serrano-Arnaldos M, Máximo-Martín MF, Montiel-Morte MC, Ortega-Requena S, Gómez-Gómez E et al.
Bioprocess and biosystems engineering, 2016
Solvent-free enzymatic production of high quality cetyl esters.
Serrano-Arnaldos M, Máximo-Martín MF, Montiel-Morte MC, Ortega-Requena S, Gómez-Gómez E et al.
Bioprocess and biosystems engineering, 2016
Solvent-free enzymatic production of high quality cetyl esters.
Serrano-Arnaldos M, Máximo-Martín MF, Montiel-Morte MC, Ortega-Requena S, Gómez-Gómez E et al.
Bioprocess and biosystems engineering, 2016
Solvent-free enzymatic production of high quality cetyl esters.
Serrano-Arnaldos M, Máximo-Martín MF, Montiel-Morte MC, Ortega-Requena S, Gómez-Gómez E et al.
Bioprocess and biosystems engineering, 2016
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR