Common Name(s): Mct oil,fractionated coconut oil,c8/c10 triglyceride
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides lightweight, non-comedogenic emolliency with excellent stability for oil-phase formulations.
Why It's Used: The most versatile cosmetic oil base โ lightweight, odorless, non-comedogenic, extremely stable, and compatible with virtually all actives for dissolving and delivering oil-soluble ingredients.
How It Works: C8/c10 medium-chain triglycerides provide liquid oil at room temperature (melting below 10ยฐc). no double bonds provide exceptional oxidative stability (shelf life 5+ years). very low comedogenicity from medium-chain length that penetrates follicles less than long-chain triglycerides. excellent solvent for oil-soluble actives.
Typically Found In: Virtually all oil-phase cosmetics as base oil or co-solvent
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ medium chain triglyceride
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ98%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Mct oil's non-comedogenicity despite coconut origin seems paradoxical (coconut oil is highly comedogenic), but the difference lies in chain length: the c12 lauric acid that causes coconut oil's comedogenicity is removed during mct fractionation, leaving only c8/c10 chains that are too short to form comedogenic follicular wax esters.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,cir safety assessment