Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate
AKA “Polyglyceryl-3 Ester, Emulsifier”
Surfactant
Tap what applies — every card instantly flags it for you. Stays on your device, syncs if you're signed in.
Ingredient Facts
Polyglyceryl-3 caprate
AKA: Polyglyceryl-3 Ester, Emulsifier
Surfactant · Emulsifying · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, decanoates (1:1) (3 mol glycerol average molar ratio)
Effective at 20.06%
CAS #
133654-02-1
See origin →
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Emulsifier
Brightens Skin
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic emulsifier created in the 20th century by combining polyglycerin with capric acid. Developed to improve the stability and sensory feel of skincare products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.12%
40.0%
0%56%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.12-40 | 0.5-5.8
Regulatory Agencies
Unexpected skin barrier influence from nonionic emulsifiers.
Bárány E, Lindberg M, Lodén M
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2000
Unexpected skin barrier influence from nonionic emulsifiers.
Bárány E, Lindberg M, Lodén M
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2000
Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Palm Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Rice Bran Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Shea Butter Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Effects of silicone emulsifiers on in vitro skin permeation of sunscreens from cosmetic emulsions.
Montenegro L, Paolino D, Puglisi G
Journal of cosmetic science, 2004
Structure and rheology of semisolid o/w creams containing cetyl alcohol/non-ionic surfactant mixed emulsifier and different polymers.
Ribeiro HM, Morais JA, Eccleston GM
International journal of cosmetic science, 2004
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR