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Is Caprylhydroxamic Acid Safe
Caprylhydroxamic Acid (CHA) is also sometimes referred to as Octano hydroxamic Acid. This is a plant-based amino acid that’s broken down from raw virgin coconut oil. Caprylhydroxamic acid acts as a preservative to prolong shelf-life of products as well as being antimicrobial. This ingredient helps to prevent bacteria growth in baby care products. Caprylhydroxamic Acid is sometimes used instead of parabens in some formulations.
It is a mild preservative that is white or tan in appearance. Because of its high saturated fat content; it is proven to be very useful in preserving longevity and safety of products. It gives products resistance against rancidification and allows them to last for up to 6 months without spoiling [1].
Origins Of This Ingredient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is an amino acid derived from coconut oil. Coconut oil, or copra oil, is extracted from mature coconuts. When freshly extracted, it is white in appearance and has a pleasing odor. However, when left to rot, it turns into a slightly yellowish oil and gives out a putrid stench. The appropriate harvesting age for coconut is 2 to 20 months. Anything younger or older than this can produce an inferior product.
Coconut oil extracted from immature coconuts is more challenging to work with and can prove to be ineffective. That is why the proper collection of coconuts is critical for the oil-making process.
There are two primary processes of coconut oil extraction: dry and wet. Dry processing involves extracting the meat from the coconut shell and drying it using kilns or fire to produce copra.
The copra is then pressed with solvents to produce the coconut oil as well as a high-protein mash [2].
Wet processing, on the other hand, involves using raw coconut alone. The existing protein in the coconut creates a paste-like substance out of oil and water. The problematic side of wet processing, however, is the difficulty of extracting the oil from the emulsion. This process is considered by most as time-consuming and costly.
Both processes can produce virgin coconut oil with antioxidant properties. Once the virgin coconut oil is extracted, the amino acid Caprylhydroxamic Acid, can be obtained.
How Caprylhydroxamic Acid Works
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a potent ingredient in making a product that is gentle to the skin both for infants and adults, such as the MADE OF Organic Baby Shampoo and Body Wash. We used Caprylhydroxamic Acid because it is gentle and natural but a potent antimicrobial agent. Caprylhydroxamic Acid destroys gram-positive bacteria, mold, and yeast in the body [3]. But unlike most antimicrobials, it can remain active even at high pH levels.
Its source is 100% organic making this ingredient is ideal for people who want to use preservative-free/paraben-free products, as well as avoid the risk of being exposed to formaldehyde. With the Caprylhydroxamic Acid in our organic baby shampoo and body wash, you can be sure it is safe to use for any skin type and is gentle to babies as well.
In 2016, researchers in Finland reported possible skin irritation from Caprylhydroxamic Acid acid in Apobase products. Some patients reported contact dermatitis but it was not clear if the irritation was due to this compound or other chemicals used in the making of these products [4].
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a natural preservative that has been found safe for sensitive skin as well as providing antimicrobial properties. The EWG does not list any restrictions and is not found to cause developmental /reproductive toxicity, allergy & immunotoxicity or cancer risk [5].
Benefits Of Caprylhydroxamic Acid
You can find this chemical on creams, serums, and body lotions. Many manufacturing companies also use it for the mixture and production of baby products such as shampoos, body washes, and wet wipes. From lip balms to hand lotions, the presence of Caprylhydroxamic Acid in a lot of beauty products today is indicative of its skin-friendly benefits. Its properties can help heal cracked skin, chapped lips, and can decrease irritation or inflammation.
Why you can find this ingredient in MADE OF Organic Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
The source of Caprylhydroxamic Acid, coconut oil, is proven to have a list of benefits for babies. When it comes to babies’ skin, our organic baby shampoo and body wash are one of the best and safest moisturizers a mother can buy. That is why it’s a vital base ingredient in manufacturing baby wash products.
Gentle on the skin
Babies are born with a natural covering called Vernix Caseosa. The vernix is white in appearance and creamy to touch. However, this soon comes off and your baby’s sensitive skin is exposed. Caprylhydroxamic Acid, a derivative of coconut oil is a natural preservative that is gentle on the skin. Other preservatives, such as alcohol, biocides, or harmful preservatives such as parabens are not used in MADE OF Products.
Anti-fungal/anti-microbial properties
Babies are susceptible to infection. Their bodies are fragile and still adjusting to the new environment. That is why having the best organic baby body wash that is both antifungal and antimicrobial is ideal for you and your baby. Caprylhydroxamic acid is a broad spectrum antifungal agent that is very effective at neutral ph levels [6]. Glyceryl Caprylate, another multi-functional antibacterial is sometimes used with Caprylhydroxamic Acid, as it helps to potentiate its effects [7].
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is naturally derived from coconut oil. It’s been found to be a popular preservative in baby products due to its gentleness on the skin while providing broad-spectrum anti-fungal protection.
Is Caprylhydroxamic Acid Safe For Baby References:
[1] PubChem; Hexanamide, N-hydroxy-.[2] Medline Plus; Coconut Oil.
[3] US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; Antimicrobial effects of virgin coconut oil and its medium-chain fatty acids on Clostridium difficile., Shilling M, Matt L, Rubin E, Visitacion MP, Haller NA, Grey SF, Woolverton CJ, December 16, 2013.
[4] US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; An epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis caused by a new allergen, caprylhydroxamic acid, in moisturizers., Ackermann L, Virtanen H, Korhonen L, Laukkanen A, Huilaja L, Riekki R, Hasan T, September 2017.
[5] EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database; Octanohydroxamic Acid.
[6] US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; Antimicrobial effects of virgin coconut oil and its medium-chain fatty acids on Clostridium difficile, Shilling M, Matt L, Rubin E, Visitacion MP, Haller NA, Grey SF, Woolverton CJ., December 16, 2013.
[7] US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; Antimicrobial effects of virgin coconut oil and its medium-chain fatty acids on Clostridium difficile, Shilling M, Matt L, Rubin E, Visitacion MP, Haller NA, Grey SF, Woolverton CJ., December 16, 2013.
