Medium chain triglycerides

Medium chain triglyceries (MCT) is an ester made from caprylic and capric triglycerides. It is usually isolated from coconut oil. MCT functions as a carrier oil in our products.

Caprylic/capric triglycerides

Clear, thin liquid

Up to 100%

Smooth, thin liquid

None

Fast

-5°C (23°F)

Oil

Medium to high

Medium chain triglycerides are inexpensive and lightweight with little to no scent. I like MCT in products like cleansing oils and balms, which are wash-off products. It can also be a good base for massage products, and works well as a simple base for blends of more expensive oils in facial serums.

No, but I really like it—it is versatile and inexpensive.

MCT only exists as a refined product

Inexpensive, lightweight.

Possibly not considered totally “natural”.

I’d recommend other esters like C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isoamyl cocoate, Coco-Caprylate, and Isoamyl laurate.

Other lightweight, inexpensive oils like grapeseed oil, safflower oil, or sunflower oil can be good choices, but true plant oils will generally be more polar than Medium Chain Triglycerides. This won’t always cause problems, but it can—it really depends on the formulation.

Include it in the oil phase of your products; if can be hot or cold processed, as needed.

Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, MCT should last at least two years.

Fractionated coconut oil and MCT (medium chain triglycerides) are not the same thing. Medium chain triglycerides are just the medium chain triglycerides found in coconut oil (caprylic/capric triglyceride while fractionated coconut oil is coconut oil without the long chain triglycerides, but still containing short and medium chain triglycerides. This distinction is rarely important, though it is very important to anyone who suffers from fungal acne.

Despite the “not-the-same-thing” thing, you will very often find them sold as if they are. This usually takes the form of MCT being sold as fractionated coconut oil (they’re often both listed on the label as if they are synonyms). Check the INCI to see what you’re getting—MCT will be Caprylic/capric triglyceride, fractionated coconut oil will be Cocos Nucifera Oil.

In my experience, non-MCT fractionated coconut oil is really rare.

250mL (8fl oz)

 Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.