Humectant

Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

A lightweight synthetic ester of butylene glycol and medium-chain fatty acids is one of the most popular "silicone alternatives" in modern cosmetics. It provides a silky dry feel on the skin, identical to silicones, but has a plant origin.

silicone alternativedry emollientplant origindry silk feel

✓ Safe

Comedogenic Rating

0/5

Irritation Potential

0/5

What is it?

Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate — a diester of 1,3-butylene glycol with a mixture of caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids. Molecular weight ~400–430 Da. A colorless low-viscosity liquid. Plant origin: fatty acids from coconut or palm kernel oil + butylene glycol (can be plant-based or synthetic). It does not oxidize (branched ester), stable. Functions: emollient, solvent for UV filters and lipophilic actives, texture enhancer. Approved in "silicone-free" and clean beauty lines.

Silicone-free SPF products and primers, lightweight moisturizers for oily skin, serums and dry oils for face and body, makeup products with a dry-touch finish.

Key Benefits

✦

Silicone-like feel without silicones — dry silk finish

BGDD is one of the closest plant analogs to cyclomethicone and dimethicone in feel: upon application — light glide, after absorption — dry, powdery silk finish without greasy residue. This makes it a standard choice in "silicone-free" brands (Glow Recipe, Youth to the People, etc.): consumers want a silicone texture but without silicones. Ideal for oily skin and hot climates.

◈

Excellent solvent for UV filters and actives

Medium-chain esters are effective solvents for chemical UV filters: dissolves avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene without issues. Also: well dissolves lipophilic vitamins (retinol, tocopherol). In SPF formulations: replacing part of dimethicone with BGDD = "silicone-free SPF" with identical UV-dissolving characteristics and similar texture.

✧

Stability and clean beauty compatibility

The ester bond of BGDD is stable to oxidation, hydrolysis, and microbial degradation — does not require preservatives for stabilization. Plant origin meets the requirements of vegan and natural cosmetics. ECOCERT and COSMOS compatible with appropriate origin of butylene glycol. Long shelf life — ideal for minimalist clean beauty formulations.

Suitable for

oily and combination skinsilicone-free formulationsSPF products

Main Actions

✓ dry-touch silicone alternative✓ solvent for UV filters✓ lightweight plant emollient

BGDD vs Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

C/C Triglyceride: triglyceride (three C8/C10 chains + glycerin), slightly more "oily feel," very common. BGDD: diester (two C8/C10 chains + butylene glycol), drier feel, better "silicone replacement." Both are plant-based, stable, popular. BGDD is newer, often positioned as a 'premium silicone-free' emollient. C/C TG is cheaper, more widely available.

CategoryHumectants

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