Dicaprylyl carbonate is a chemical compound, dioctyl ester of carbonic acid.

It is a fat of vegetable origin.

The name defines the structure of the molecule:

• Di- indicates that two caprylic alcohol molecules are involved.
• Caprylyl refers to caprylic alcohol, a fatty alcohol with formula C8H17OH derived from caprylic acid, another medium-chain fatty acid found in the milk of some mammals and in palm and coconut oils.
• The term carbonate refers to the carbonate group, one carbon atom bonded to three oxygen atoms, with one of the oxygen atoms also bonded to another molecule (caprylic alcohol).

It appears as a transparent, viscous liquid.

What it is used for and where

Dicaprylyl carbonate is widely used in cosmetic and skincare products, such as creams, lotions, and sun care products. This ingredient is valued for its emollient properties and the ability to make the skin soft and smooth. It is also known for its lightweight and for being quickly absorbed by the skin without leaving a greasy feel.

Cosmetics

It is used in cosmetics as an emollient, lubricant, has a fairly stable skin moisturizing action.

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss.  Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Skin conditioning agent. An ingredient that is the mainstay of topical skin treatment by restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants.

Studies

The aim of the present study was to focus exclusively on emollients pertinent for sunscreens and investigate their impact on the performance of UV-filter combinations. The UV absorbance of Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate was measured in suncare relevant emollients comprising C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-caprylate, Isopropyl Myristate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate.  The results advocate to use polar emollients to optimize the UVA protection. This is of advantage since polar emollients better dissolve crystalline UV-filters (1).

This emulsification study showed that the nanohybrids were effective particulate emulsifiers when homogenized with various oils including toluene, paraffin oil, silicone oil, isooctyl palmitate, dicaprylyl carbonate, and propylheptyl caprylate. The nanohybrid particulate emulsifiers exhibited pH-sensitivity, and the diameter of paraffin oil droplets remarkably increased with pH of the nanohybrid aqueous dispersion decrease (2).

Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₃₄O₃

Molecular Weight: 286.4 g/mol

CAS: 1680-31-5

UNII 609A3V1SUA

EC Number: 605-498-9

DSSTox Substance ID: DTXSID9075115

Synonims: 

• Dioctyl Carbonate
• Carbonic acid, dioctyl ester
• di-1-octyl carbonate
• SCHEMBL119774
• 609A3V1SUA
• ZINC100233730

References__________________________________________________________

(1) Sohn M, Amorós-Galicia L, Krus S, Martin K, Herzog B. Effect of emollients on UV filter absorbance and sunscreen efficiency. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2020 Apr;205:111818. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111818.

(2) Sun J, Yi C, Wei W, Zhao D, Hu Q, Liu X. Nanohybrids from direct chemical self-assembly of poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) as pH-responsive particulate emulsifiers. Langmuir. 2014 Dec 16;30(49):14757-64. doi: 10.1021/la504281b.