The combination of Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, and Glycerin constitutes an advanced, self‑preserving blend that harnesses multiple mechanisms to protect cosmetic formulations. Caprylhydroxamic Acid acts through robust iron chelation and microbicidal membrane disruption — even at neutral pH — ensuring preservation across a broad pH spectrum (pH 3 – 8). Glyceryl Caprylate provides additional antimicrobial efficacy while imparting emolliency and skin-conditioning benefits. Glycerin complements the system by enhancing viscosity, texture, and moisture retention, and also aids in stabilizing the active blend.
In hair care formulations, this blend offers comprehensive protection and conditioning without relying on traditional preservatives. It excels in diverse systems — from emulsions to surfactant-rich shampoos and anhydrous treatments — ensuring microbial integrity, product safety, and a pleasant sensory profile. The inclusion of glycerin delivers hydration to hair fibers, softens cuticles, and boosts overall manageability — while the antimicrobial agents safeguard the formula — and by extension, scalp health — from contamination over time.
Quick Insights
Ingredient Rating:
GREAT
Type of Ingredient:
Hydrator, Moisturizer, Emollient, Texture Enhancer, Microbiome Balance Agent, Barrier Support, Preservative and Chelating Agent
Intended Function:
To provide self-preserving, broad-spectrum microbial protection while simultaneously enhancing hydration, texture, and conditioning in skincare and haircare formulations.
Common Applications:
Ideal for clean and natural formulations — such as lotions, creams, emulsions, shampoos, conditioners, wipes, color cosmetics, and emulsified systems — where traditional preservatives are avoided and sensory quality is a priority.
Target Audience:
Formulators of preservative-free or natural-brand products seeking safe, multifunctional alternatives; ideal for sensitive-skin skincare, gentle cleansing systems, scalp-care treatments, and eco-conscious or “clean beauty” lines.
Also Known As:
Natural Synergy Preservative System, Caprylhydroxamic Acid (and) Glyceryl Caprylate (and) Glycerin.
Safety Analysis
This preservative system is derived from natural sources (e.g., Caprylhydroxamic Acid from coconut amino acids, glyceryl caprylate as a monoester of glycerin and caprylic acid), and is recognized for compatibility with diverse cosmetic ingredients and formats — including emulsions, surfactants, and anhydrous systems. It demonstrates efficacy across a wide pH range and complies with industry-standard preservation tests (EP-A, USP51, PCPC). As it avoids parabens, formaldehyde donors, and is free from contentious preservatives like MIT, this blend aligns with clean-beauty and safety-forward formulations. Glycerin is widely regarded as safe and non-irritating. Nevertheless, standard stability and microbial challenge testing is advised to confirm compatibility and efficacy in final formulations.
References
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