DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE- ▸ Skin care: Light emollient with a dry, non-greasy skin feel
- ▸ Color cosmetics: Spreading agent and pigment wetter
- ▸ Sun care: Emollient and solvent for UV filters
- ▸ Personal care: Carrier and solvent for actives
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Dicaprylyl carbonate (DCC; INCI Dicaprylyl Carbonate; CAS 1680-31-5) is a light, dry, exceptionally fast-spreading emollient — a dialkyl carbonate of caprylic (C8) alcohol. It gives a silky, weightless, dry after-feel and outstanding spreadability, and it dissolves UV filters and oil-soluble actives well, which is why it is a leading plant-derived alternative to volatile silicones in modern skin and sun care. Identity: PubChem.
What is dicaprylyl carbonate?
It is the carbonate diester of two caprylyl (C8) alcohols. The carbonate linkage and short branched chains give a very low viscosity, extremely high spreadability and a dry, non-greasy “second-skin” feel — close to volatile silicones but as a non-volatile, oxidatively stable ester. It is also a strong solvent for organic UV filters and lipophilic actives.
Applications by sector
Sun care. A high-spreadability emollient and solvent that dissolves and evenly distributes organic UV filters and reduces greasiness. Skin care. A dry, light emollient and spreading agent used as a volatile-silicone alternative in lotions, serums and creams. Color cosmetics. A pigment-wetting carrier with a dry finish. These describe spreadability, feel and solvency, not skin-health claims.
Forms and grades
Supplied as a clear liquid; confirm grade on the RFQ. Related emollient esters: isopropyl myristate, isononyl isononanoate, dicaprylyl carbonate; see the emollient ester selection guide.
Handling and documentation
Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA); request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for handling data.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies dicaprylyl carbonate in bulk to personal-care and sun-care formulators, with CoA and SDS per lot. Submit an RFQ with your grade and target quantity.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| INCI Name | Dicaprylyl Carbonate |
| CAS Number | 1680-31-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C17H34O3 |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless, low-viscosity liquid |
| Character | Very light, dry, ultra-fast-spreading; UV-filter solvent; oxidatively stable |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; oil-soluble |
| Flammability / handling | Refer to the current SDS |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dicaprylyl carbonate used for?
Dicaprylyl carbonate (DCC, CAS 1680-31-5) is a light, dry, fast-spreading emollient used in sun care to dissolve and distribute UV filters, and in skin care and color cosmetics as a dry-feel spreading agent and volatile-silicone alternative.
Is dicaprylyl carbonate a silicone alternative?
It is widely used as a non-volatile, plant-derived alternative to volatile silicones because it delivers a similar dry, weightless, high-spread feel — while being an oxidatively stable ester and a strong UV-filter solvent.
What is the CAS and formula of dicaprylyl carbonate?
It is CAS 1680-31-5 (PubChem CID 9904000), molecular formula C17H34O3. The CoA documents grade.
How is bulk dicaprylyl carbonate supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies it as a liquid in bulk with CoA and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on grade and volume; submit an RFQ with your target quantity.
Disclaimer. Information on this page — including chemical properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim, or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information.