Dicaprylyl ether
What is it?
Dicaprylyl ether is a skin conditioning agent (emollient) derived from caprylic acid, a fatty acid found in coconut and palm kernel oils.
What does it do?
Emollients are widely used in personal care products to make the skin soft and supple and provide a silky skin feel. The dicaprylyl ether in our antiperspirants and natural strength deodorants helps with a smooth dry feeling application.
How is it made?
Our Stewardship Model guides us to select ingredients which have been processed in a manner that supports our philosophy of human and environmental health.
Dicaprylyl ether is derived from coconut and/or palm kernel oil. The fatty acids from the oils are esterified and then distilled to separate the capryl alcohol. Etherification (dehydration) is then done to the capryl alcohol to form dicaprylyl ether and water.
What are the alternatives?
The main alternatives used in antiperspirant products are silicones (liquid siloxanes and particularly volatile polyorganosiloxanes, e.g. cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, cyclomethicone, dimethicone and derivatives). We do not use silicones in any of our products due to the synthetic nature of the compounds and environmental and safety concerns. There are a number of other emollients used in antiperspirants, like C12 15 alkyl benzoate, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-derivatives and some esters. We cannot use most of these ingredients because they would not comply with our Stewardship Model.
Is this the right option for me?
The use of dicaprylyl ether in antiperspirants and deodorants is considered to be safe.
Tom's of Maine recognizes that no two people are alike, and even with naturally derived ingredients, some individuals may develop an allergic reaction that is unique to them. As with any product, be sure to discontinue use if you experience discomfort or other indications that the product may not be appropriate for your individual body chemistry.
