Caprylyl glycol, otherwise known as 1,2-octanediol, is utilized as a skin nourishing agent and has some antibacterial properties. This useful multi-functional ingredient grants the skin a pleasant, smooth feel. It also helps to increase the effectiveness of other preservatives, such as the widely used phenoxyethanol. This component serves as an effective preservative, stopping the growth of bacteria and preserving the formula. This helps to protect your skin while also increasing the shelf-life of the products.

Caprylyl Glycol (Wikipedia)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "1,2-Octanediol" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

1,2-Octanediol, also known as caprylyl glycol, is a diol with the molecular formula CH₃(CH₂)₅CHOHCH₂OH.

1,2-Octanediol

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Octane-1,2-diol
Other names 1,2-Octanediol Caprylyl glycol Glycol caprylyl 1,2-Dihydroxyoctane 1,2-Octylene glycol
Identifiers
CAS Number	1117-86-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	1719619
ChEBI	CHEBI:34056
ChEMBL	ChEMBL3186864
ChemSpider	13595
ECHA InfoCard	100.012.959
EC Number	214-254-7
KEGG	C14273
PubChem CID	14231
UNII	00YIU5438U Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9036646
InChI InChI=1S/C8H18O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-8(10)7-9/h8-10H,2-7H2,1H3 Key: AEIJTFQOBWATKX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES CCCCCCC(CO)O
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H18O2
Molar mass	146.227 g/mol
Appearance	White semi-solid
Melting point	30 to 35 °C (86 to 95 °F; 303 to 308 K)
Boiling point	140 °C (284 °F; 413 K) at 16 mmHg
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H319
Precautionary statements	P264, P270, P280, P301+P312, P305+P351+P338, P310, P330, P337+P313, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 1 0
Flash point	148 °C (298 °F; 421 K)
Safety data sheet (SDS)	Sigma-Aldrich SDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

It is a common component of many creams and ointments, where it is used as a skin conditioning agent. It is also noted to have some antimicrobial (preserving) ability.