Emollient

Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

Reviewed by Rosie · Last updated 18 Aug 2026

Supple, wax-like, lubricating, thickening agents | Helps prevent water loss

What Is Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate?

An emollient is a supple, wax-like, lubricating, thickening agent that prevents water loss and has a softening and soothing effect on skin.

Examples of emollients are ingredients like plant oils, mineral oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, petrolatum and fatty acids (animal oils, including emu, mink, and lanolin, the latter probably the one ingredient that is most like our own skin’s oil). More technical-sounding emollient ingredients, such as triglycerides, benzoates, myristates, palmitates and stearates, are generally waxy in texture and appearance but provide most moisturizers with their elegant texture and feel.

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Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate is a variant of Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, the form you will most often see on an ingredients list.

Supple, wax-like, lubricating, thickening agents

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