An ester of xylitol anhydrides and caprylic acid, used as an emulsifier and antimicrobial.
What it is
Xylityl sesquicaprylate is a mixture of mono- and diesters of caprylic acid with anhydrides of xylitol. CosIng lists it as an antimicrobial, deodorant, emulsifying and cleansing surfactant, humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient.
Where it is used
Found in creams, lotions, cleansers and deodorants, often as part of preservative-boosting blends.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The raw material is a mixture of esters rather than a single compound.
Functions
- Antimicrobial
- Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
- Deodorant
- Reducing and/or eluminating unpleasant odour. Contributing against the formation of malodour on body surfaces.
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
- Humectant
- Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.
- Skin conditioning
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
- 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).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.