Propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate stands out as a widely-used ester created by reacting propylene glycol with caprylic and capric acid. This compound typically shows up as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid, with a faint, hardly noticeable odor. Countless laboratories, factories, and formulating chemists choose it because the molecular structure—C27H52O6, with a molecular weight around 472.70 g/mol—offers stability, easy mixing, and reliable sensorial qualities. That structure pulls in both oily and water-attracting portions, something that makes the ingredient particularly handy for blending otherwise tough-to-mix stuff in products like creams, lotions, and oils. Its density floats somewhere between 0.92 and 0.95 g/mL at room temperature, making it lighter than water and easy to spread in both professional and home environments. Propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate usually appears in liquid form rather than as powder, flakes, or pearls, and it rarely crystallizes under normal storage conditions.
With low viscosity, propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate pours and spreads with minimum effort—no need to heat things up or use special mixers in most cases. The ester bonds in its molecular structure bring both flexibility and mildness, giving finished products a soft, non-greasy touch. That’s a big win in personal care, where greasy residue gets a hard “no” from buyers. Flash point hovers between 205°C and 220°C, so standard storage rooms do the job, and it doesn’t evaporate or degrade easily. Water solubility is practically zero, so it creates solid, durable layers or disperses evenly in oil-based formulas. The HS Code most often used for shipments lands on 2905320000 or other codes for organic esters, which customs inspectors check quickly without much confusion.
You’re going to find propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate as a liquid, sometimes sold in drums, smaller jugs, or liter-sized bottles, rarely in solids or crystalline forms. The material’s specific gravity helps bottlers and manufacturers get exact measurements, which makes batch production less stressful and more precise. Glass or sturdy, HDPE bottles keep it stable for months at a time, as the chemical resists most reactions with air, light, or container materials under normal lab or warehouse conditions. In daily handling, I’ve noticed it doesn’t stain, degrade metal, or give off hazardous fumes—a quiet point, but it matters when you spend hours with raw materials sliding across the bench.
Chemists and factory workers don’t take hazards lightly. For propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate, toxicity studies and safety data sheets bring some relief. The material scores low for skin or eye irritation compared to many chemicals, though direct contact should still get rinsed with running water. No fumes, little to no fire risk under normal temperatures, and only minor risk if splashed—this is why labs and manufacturing floors like using it. The molecule resists breaking down into anything harmful when exposed to heat or basic production stress, and compared to stronger chemicals or aggressive solvents, it’s no threat with basic ventilation and gloves. Some mild harm could pop up with heavy, unprotected skin contact, but that’s rare in companies following common chemical hygiene rules. No hazardous registrations show up in the major global chemical registries, making it broadly accepted under REACH and similar listings.
Manufacturers in the beauty and food fields count on propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate as a safe, effective carrier oil or emollient. Its lightweight feel helps makeup glide, keeps sunscreens from feeling sticky, and makes massage oils absorb without a mess. One of my old projects—a vitamin E skin serum—relied on this ester to boost smoothness and decrease tackiness. Foods rarely use this directly, but specialty products sometimes rely on its stability if a mild-texture fat source is needed. Sourcing remains strong, since the raw materials—plant-derived fatty acids and propylene glycol—keep coming from renewable crops. This has gotten more attention as buyers and regulators demand cleaner, safer, lower-impact chemical inputs in daily products.
Producers of propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate often highlight their reliance on palm and coconut-based fatty acids. This gives the ingredient a plant-traceable backstory, though it pushes buyers to look for RSPO-certified or sustainable palm derivatives to avoid adding to supply chain problems. Propylene glycol comes from petrochemical or vegetable feedstocks, which brings its own set of traceability questions. In the production plants I’ve toured, quality checks focus on purity, stability, and physical state to avoid surprises in downstream mixing tanks. Shippers keep family-sized warning stickers on larger cartons for the rare worker who doesn’t recognize the CAS number, but few other risks get flagged. Finished personal care brands include it on ingredient decks for emollient and lightweight moisturizing qualities—rarely gets flagged as a trigger for allergies or environmental harm.
Propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate bridges the gap between lab-made molecules and everyday practicality. Manufacturers, safety professionals, and buyers all pay close attention to its properties—mildness, texture, density, storage, and cost. With a track record of low hazard and solid performance in oily and semi-watery mixes, it keeps its spot near the top of the raw materials list for new formulas in beauty and health. Clear labeling, hazard assessments, and open communication around raw material sources are essential, especially as customer expectations for safety and transparency keep rising. For both the seasoned chemist at the blending table and the brand manager wondering what “propylene glycol dicaprylate-caprate” really means on a bottle, understanding its unique qualities sets a high bar for responsible innovation.
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