Humectant

Capryloyl Glycine

Capryloyl Glycine — a mild synthetic preservative booster based on fatty acid and the amino acid glycine. It enhances the antimicrobial effectiveness of formulations without irritation, allowing for a reduction in the concentration of traditional preservatives. A popular component in natural and gentle formulations.

preservative boostermild antimicrobial actionglycine derivativenatural formula

✓ Safe

Comedogenic Rating

0/5

Irritation Potential

0/5

What is it?

Capryloyl Glycine (INCI: Capryloyl Glycine) — an amide of caprylic acid (octanoic acid, C8) and the amino acid glycine. MW: ~201 Da. Mechanism: caprylic acid — a short-chain fatty acid with known moderate antimicrobial activity (disruption of microbial membranes); glycine — increases the water solubility and biocompatibility of the molecule. Often used in multi-component preservation systems in combination with caprylyl glycol, sodium levulinate, sodium anisate — to achieve broad-spectrum protection at reduced concentrations of traditional preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol).

Natural and clean beauty cosmetics, mild preservative boosters, formulations with reduced content of traditional preservatives, sensitive and children's cosmetics.

Key Benefits

✦

Mild antimicrobial action — preservation booster

Capryloyl glycine enhances the action of the main preservatives in the formulation, allowing for a reduction in their overall concentration without loss of antimicrobial effectiveness. Mechanism: caprylic acid partially disrupts the membrane integrity of bacteria and fungi → synergistic enhanced action with main preservatives (phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, etc.). Advantage: allows for a reduction in the concentration of potentially irritating preservatives → the formulation is generally better tolerated by sensitive skin. Often marketed as part of a "preservative-free" or "mild preservation system" in formulations.

◈

Biocompatibility and low irritation potential

Capryloyl glycine has a very low irritation potential due to its amino acid nature (glycine component) — significantly milder than traditional preservatives. This makes it an attractive component for: children's cosmetics, products for very sensitive skin, formulations with a minimalist ingredient list (clean beauty). Additional function: mild surfactant properties — helps stabilize emulsions in combination with main emulsifiers. Hypoallergenic profile confirmed by extensive clinical use in preservative-boosting systems.

✧

Synergy in multi-component preservation systems

Capryloyl glycine is rarely used alone — typically applied as part of commercial preservative systems together with caprylyl glycol, sodium levulinate, sodium anisate, lactic acid. Such a combination demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect (gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, mold fungi) through multiple mechanisms of action simultaneously. Advantage of the "systemic" approach: lower risk of microbial resistance development compared to a single traditional preservative. A popular approach in preservative-free marketing (formally preservatives are present, but not from the traditional "black list").

Suitable for

all skin typessensitive and children's skinclean beauty formulations

Main Actions

✓ enhancement of the antimicrobial action of the formulation✓ reduced irritation potential✓ synergy in multi-component preservation systems

Capryloyl Glycine: booster, not a standalone preservative

Capryloyl glycine ALONE does not provide complete preservative coverage (not broad-spectrum) — used AS AN ADDITION to the main preservation system. INCI: Capryloyl Glycine. Effective concentration: 0.3-1% in multi-component systems. Water-soluble with the involvement of solubilizers. pH-stable 4-7. Often combined with caprylyl glycol and sodium levulinate.

CategoryHumectants

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Capryloyl Glycine do for skin?

Natural and clean beauty cosmetics, mild preservative boosters, formulations with reduced content of traditional preservatives, sensitive and children's cosmetics.

Who should use Capryloyl Glycine?

Capryloyl Glycine is suitable for: all skin types, sensitive and children's skin, clean beauty formulations.

Are there any warnings about Capryloyl Glycine?

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