The short answer: MCT oil and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride usually describe the same material: a triglyceride built mainly from caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids. “MCT oil” is the common and pharmacopeia name, and “Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride” is the INCI name used on cosmetic labels. “Fractionated coconut oil” is a trade term with no single standard definition. It is generally used for coconut-derived MCT, so it does not describe MCT oil made from palm kernel oil.
The three names cause real confusion in purchasing, because buyers search, specify and label with different ones. This guide explains what each name means, where each is used, and what to check before you buy.
What is MCT oil?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides: triglycerides made from fatty acids with medium-length carbon chains. In commercial MCT oil, those fatty acids are mainly caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10).
The US Pharmacopeia–National Formulary (USP–NF) monograph for Medium-Chain Triglycerides describes the material as a mixture of triglycerides of saturated fatty acids, mainly caprylic and capric acid. The USP 35–NF 30 edition sets these limits for the fatty acid fraction:
Caproic acid (C6:0): not more than 2.0%
Caprylic acid (C8:0): 50.0–80.0%
Capric acid (C10:0): 20.0–50.0%
Lauric acid (C12:0): not more than 3.0%
Myristic acid (C14:0): not more than 1.0%
If your application calls for compendial grade, confirm the current edition of the monograph with your supplier, since limits can be revised.
What is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name for the same type of material. Cosmetics Europe’s ingredient database describes it as an ester of caprylic and capric acid with glycerin, and lists its functions as skin conditioning and as a functional ingredient (excipient) in perfume oils.
Cosmetic manufacturers use the INCI name on ingredient lists, so formulators and regulatory teams often search for “Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride” or “CCT” rather than “MCT oil”. The INCI name is the same whether the fatty acids come from coconut or palm kernel oil.
What is fractionated coconut oil?
Coconut oil itself is not MCT oil. Under the Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (C12, about 45–53% of fatty acids), with only 4.6–10.0% caprylic acid and 5.0–8.0% capric acid.
To make MCT oil, producers split the oil into its fatty acids, separate (fractionate) the C8 and C10 fractions, and combine them with glycerol again. When the starting oil is coconut, the result is often sold as “fractionated coconut oil”. Because the term is not standardized, products sold under it can differ in fatty acid profile, so the specification matters more than the name.
Side-by-side comparison
MCT oil: the common and pharmacopeia name. Compendial grades are defined by the USP–NF and other pharmacopeias. It is made from coconut or palm kernel oil and appears mainly in supplement, food and pharmaceutical specifications. Check the grade, C8:C10 profile and source.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: the INCI name, made from coconut or palm kernel oil. It appears on cosmetic ingredient lists and in formulation work. Check the source, grade and certifications.
Fractionated coconut oil: a trade name with no single standard definition, generally used for coconut-derived material. It appears in retail, aromatherapy and some cosmetic marketing. Check the source and the actual fatty acid profile.
Why the naming matters for purchasing
Labels and claims. A “coconut-derived” or “palm-free” claim on your finished product needs a coconut-derived ingredient. A palm-derived MCT oil should never be described as fractionated coconut oil.
Certifications follow the source. RSPO certification applies only to palm-derived material, while organic certification depends on the specific supply chain.
Specifications travel between teams. R&D may specify “CCT” while procurement searches for “MCT oil”. Agreeing on one specification, including source and fatty acid profile, avoids buying the wrong material.
How Aksh supplies MCT oil
Aksh Industries supplies MCT oil from both sources, so you can match the material to your label and sourcing policies:
MCT Oil, palm-derived (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride): manufactured in Indonesia from palm kernel oil, available as RSPO Mass Balance or conventional, in drums and totes.
Organic MCT Oil, coconut-derived: certified organic, manufactured in the Philippines, available in a range of C8:C10:C12 blends, in drums and totes.
MCT Oil, coconut-derived: manufactured in the Philippines, available in a range of C8:C10:C12 blends, in drums and totes.
Since 1997, Aksh has been the supply partner hundreds of manufacturers rely on. Contact us to discuss which material fits your formulation and claims, and to request documentation, availability, minimum order quantities and lead times.
Frequently asked questions
Is MCT oil the same as caprylic/capric triglyceride? In most commercial contexts, yes. Both describe triglycerides of mainly caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acids. “Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride” is the INCI name used on cosmetic labels.
Is fractionated coconut oil the same as MCT oil? It is generally coconut-derived MCT oil, but the term has no single standard definition. Check the source and fatty acid profile in the supplier’s specification.
Can palm-derived MCT oil be called fractionated coconut oil? No. Fractionated coconut oil refers to coconut-derived material.
Does the INCI name change with the source? No. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride from coconut or palm kernel oil uses the same INCI name, so state the source separately in your specification and any sourcing claims.
Is coconut oil a good source of MCTs on its own? Coconut oil contains some caprylic and capric acid, but it is mostly lauric acid, so it is not a substitute for MCT oil in a specification.
Sources
USP 35–NF 30, Medium-Chain Triglycerides monograph (older edition; check the current USP–NF)
Cosmetics Europe CosmileEurope: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, CODEX-STAN 210-1999, Table 1
Reviewed by Aksh Technical Team, Aksh Industries · Published 10/19/2026 · Last updated 10/19/2026
