Skip to main content
CosIng Checker
CosIng Checker
EU cosmetic ingredients, restrictions and safety
Login
InventoryRef 7481315/10/2010

CAPRYLIC ACID

Octanoic acid

CAPRYLIC ACID is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.

INCI CheckerCompare all markets Search similar

Regulatory evidence by market

No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.

That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.

Markets and their official sourcesSearch every market for this name

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 124-07-2
CAS 124-07-2PubChem CID 379

Octanoic Acid

Octanoic acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid that is heptane in which one of the hydrogens of a terminal methyl group has been replaced by a carboxy group. Octanoic acid is also known as caprylic acid. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid and a medium-chain fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of an octanoate. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
octanoic acid
Molecular formula
C8H16O2
Molecular weight
144.21 g/mol
Exact mass
144.115029749 Da
XLogP3
3.0
Topological polar surface area
37.3 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
1
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
2
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

caprylic acidn-octanoic acidn-caprylic acidOctylic acidoctoic acidn-octylic acid1-heptanecarboxylic acidn-Octoic acid
16 more reported names
Enantic acidOctic acidC-8 acidCaprylsaeureAcido octanoicoAcide octanoiqueKaprylsaeureHexacid 898FEMA No. 2799Acidum octanociumKyselina kaprylovaOctansaeureNSC-5024Kortacid-0899Emery 657Prifac 2901
Open full PubChem recordPubChem annotations3D structure image
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match379

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • First Aid: EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.; SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.; INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whene Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • Signal: Danger Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H412: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P264, P273, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P321, P363, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 2.4% (71 of 2978) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H302 (10.6%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H311 (10.6%): Toxic in contact with skin [Danger Acute toxicity, dermal]; H314 (97.1%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318 (78.6%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H412 (58.6%): Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P262, P264, P264+P265, P270, P273, P280, P301+P317, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P330, P361+P364, P363, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 2978 reports by companies from 31 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 71 of 2978 reports by companies.; There are 29 notifications provided by 2907 of 2978 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: NITE-CMC
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H402: Harmful to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P260, P264, P264+P265, P273, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P363, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • Signal: Danger Source: Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS), Safe Work Australia
  • Health Effects: Octanoic (OA) and decanoic (DA) acids are the predominant metabolites accumulating in medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD; E.C. 1.3.99.3) deficiency (MCADD), the most common inherited defect of fatty acid oxidation. Glycine and l-carnitine bind to these fatty acids giving rise to derivatives that also accumulate in this disorder. The clinical presentation typically occurs in early childhood but can occasionally be delayed until adulthood. The major features of the disease include hypoglycemia, vomiting, lethargy and encephalopathy after fasting, infection or other metabolic stressors. (A15457) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Conclusion: The CIR Expert Panel concluded that the following ingredients are safe in the present practices of use andconcentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing, which may be basedon a QRA...Caprylic Acid... Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Finding(s): Safe for use in cosmetics, with qualifications Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Toxicity Summary: The existing information was reviewed by the independent Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety and supports the use of Octanoic acid as described in this fragrance ingredient safety assessment. Data show that it is not genotoxic and provide a calculated Margin of Exposure (MOE) greater than 100 for the repeated dose toxicity and reproductive toxicity endpoints. Data show that there are no safety concerns for skin sensitization under the current declared levels of use. Octanoic acid is not expected to be photoirritating/photoallergenic based on evaluation of the ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectra. The local respiratory toxicity endpoint was evaluated using the TTC for a Cramer Class I material and the exposure is below the TTC (1.4 mg/day). Source: Pertti (Bert) Hakkinen's Toxicology and Other Annotations
  • Toxicity Summary: It has been demonstrated that octanoic (OA) and decanoic (DA) acids compromise the glycolytic pathway and citric acid cycle functioning, increase oxygen consumption in the liver and inhibit some activities of the respiratory chain complexes and creatine kinase in rat brain (A15454, A15455). These fatty acids were also shown to induce oxidative stress in the brain (A15456). Experiments suggest that OA and DA impair brain mitochondrial energy homeostasis that could underlie at least in part the neuropathology of MCADD. (A15457) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated in fish for octanoic acid(SRC), using a log Kow of 3.05(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1,100 for the free acid(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 3.05(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that undissociated octanoic acid is expected to have low mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of octanoic acid is 4.89(4), indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5). Volatilization of octanoic acid from moist soil is not expected to be an important fate process because the acid is in the anion form and anions do not volatilize(SRC). Octanoic acid is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 3.71X10-3 mm Hg(6). In Warburg respirometer tests using an activated sludge seed, octanoic acid reached 9.8, 20.4, and 32.8% of its theoretical oxygen demand after 6, 12, and 24 hours incubation, respectively(7), suggesting that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1,100 for the free acid(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 3.05(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that undissociated octanoic acid is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). A pKa of 4.89(4) indicates octanoic acid will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and therefore volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from its log Kow(2) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). In Warburg respirometer tests using an activated sludge seed, octanoic acid reached 9.8, 20.4, and 32.8% of its theoretical oxygen demand after 6, 12, and 24 hours incubation, respectively(8), suggesting that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in water(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), octanoic acid, which has a vapor pressure of 3.71X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase octanoic acid is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 1.9 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 8.3X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Octanoic acid does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(4). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Consumer Uses: Emulsifier; Soil amendments (fertilizers); Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Cleaning agent; Lubricating agent; Other Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Industry Uses: Intermediate; Emulsifier; Soil amendments (fertilizers); Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Cleaning agent; Processing aids not otherwise specified; Other; Lubricating agent Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review Link: CIR ingredient: Caprylic Acid Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Sources/Uses: Used to make dyes, drugs, perfumes, flavors, antiseptics, and fungicides; Also used in ore separations, hydraulic fluids, machining oils, flotation agents, and wood preservatives; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Metal Machining [Category: Heat or Machine]; Applying Wood Preservatives [Category: Other]; Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean]; Metal Extraction and Refining [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: For Octanoic acid (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code:128919) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for use in the U.S. but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Detergent-disinfectant; bactericide; virucide; deodorizer /for use in/ Hospitals; Nursing Homes; Institutions; Schools; Restaurants, Food Service, Beverage and Food Processing Plants;Veterinary and Industrial Use. ... recommended for use in bathrooms, shower rooms and spas for disinfecting and cleaning walls, floors, tubs, showers, and other hard non-porous environmental surfaces such as bathroom fixtures, sinks, exterior surfaces of toilets, non-food contact surfaces of coolers, glazed tile, linoleum, plastic ... , chrome, glazed porcelain, stainless steel and glass. ... This product is not to be used as a terminal sterilant or high level disinfectant on any surface or instrument that ...(1) is introduced directly into the human body, either into or in contact with the bloodstream or normally sterile areas of the body, or (2) contacts intact mucous membranes but which does not ordinarily penetrate the blood barrier or otherwise enter normally sterile areas of the body. /65 Disinfecting Heavy Duty Acid Bathroom Cleaner/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Synthesis of various dyes, drugs, perfumes, antiseptics and fungicides, ore separations, synthetic flavors. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Soaps of cobalt, manganese and lead are formed with organic acids such as ... octanoic acids. They catalyze oxidation of drying oils, and thus should be used in inks that dry by oxidation Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for OCTANOIC ACID (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Caprylic acid is found naturally in the milk of various mammals, and as a minor constituent of coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It is also an endogenously produced metabolite found in the human body. Caprylic acid is used commercially in the production of esters used in perfumery and also in the manufacture of dyes. Caprylic acid is an antimicrobial pesticide used as a food contact surface sanitizer in commercial food handling establishments on dairy equipment, food processing equipment, breweries, wineries, and beverage processing plants. It is also used as disinfectant in health care facilities, schools/colleges, animal care/veterinary facilities, industrial facilities, office buildings, recreational facilities, retail and wholesale establishments, livestock premises, restaurants, and hotels/motels. In addition, caprylic acid is used as an algaecide, bactericide, and fungicide in nurseries, greenhouses, garden centers, and interiorscapes on ornamentals. Products containing caprylic acid are formulated as soluble concentrate/liquids and ready-to-use liquids. The acid chloride of caprylic acid is used in the synthesis of perfluorooctanoic acid. Caprylic acid has medical uses as a m Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)

Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.

Additional source coverage and match status
SourceResultChecked
NIH PubChem PUG-ViewExact match2026-08-31

A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for CAPRYLIC ACID

INCI name

CAPRYLIC ACID

INN name

octanoic acid

Description

Octanoic acid

Record provenance

Inventory reference
74813
Imported identity
CAPRYLIC ACID
Source update
15/10/2010
European Commission CosIng source notes
Browse

Browse EU annexes

Explore Annex II–VI to see which substances are prohibited, restricted or permitted under specific conditions.

Search

Search annex entries

Search the annex database for entries matching CAPRYLIC ACID or related substances.

Key data

CAS
124-07-2
EC
204-677-5
Restriction
—
Function
CLEANSING
Helping to keep the body surface clean.
FRAGRANCE
Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
PERFUMING
Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials.
SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).
SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

#5345 · CAPRYLIC ACID

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

CAPRYL/LAURYL WHEAT BRAN/STRAW GLYCOSIDESCLEANSING, LIGHT STABILIZER, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BO…
CAPRYLETH-4 CARBOXYLIC ACIDCLEANSING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
CAPRYLETH-6 CARBOXYLIC ACIDCLEANSING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
CAPRYLETH-9 CARBOXYLIC ACIDCLEANSING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING
CAPRYLOYL COLLAGEN AMINO ACIDSANTISTATIC, CLEANSING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
CAPRYLOYL GLYCINECLEANSING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
CAPRYLOYL HYDROLYZED KERATINANTISTATIC, CLEANSING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
CAPRYLOYL KERATIN AMINO ACIDSANTISTATIC, CLEANSING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight

ECHA CHEM / Information on chemicalsPubChem PUG RESTEU Safety Gate cosmetic product alertsECHA CHEMUS EPA CompToxCosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessmentsFDA Global Substance Registration SystemILO/WHO International Chemical Safety CardsJapan NITE-CHRIPNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical HazardsOECD eChemPortal

How CAPRYLIC ACID appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists CAPRYLIC ACID as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

CAPRYLIC ACID is also tagged with 5 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

CAPRYLIC ACID is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Absence of an annex link does not guarantee unrestricted use — always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, CAPRYLIC ACID carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 124-07-2 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.
View CAS records

Use the INCI Checker to screen a full ingredient list across selected markets, or compare this substance across all supported market datasets.
Open INCI Checker

Source note for CAPRYLIC ACID

This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for CAPRYLIC ACID from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.

Use this inventory page to research CAPRYLIC ACID and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.

View sourcesView updates

Tools & next steps

Check your formula

Scan a full INCI list to detect CAPRYLIC ACID and any linked EU annex restrictions or allergen flags.

INCI Checker

Search similar ingredients

Find other inventory ingredients and annex entries related to CAPRYLIC ACID, its identifiers or nearby name variants.

Search