Preservative / Chelating Agent

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Caprylhydroxamic acid (INCI: Caprylhydroxamic Acid; chemical name: N-hydroxyoctanamide) is a chelating agent derived from caprylic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut and palm oil. It preserves cosmetic formulations by chelating metal ions — particularly iron — that would otherwise catalyse oxidative degradation. It also exhibits biostatic and fungistatic activity, remaining effective at elevated pH levels where traditional preservatives can fail. It is commonly combined with antimicrobial glycols (such as glyceryl caprylate or propanediol) to form so-called 'preservative-free preservation systems' that brands use as alternatives to parabens or phenoxyethanol.