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Lexgard Natural MB is a naturally derived cosmetic multifunctional ingredient used primarily as a preservative booster and antimicrobial helper in personal care and cosmetic formulations.
Lexgard Natural MB is typically based on glyceryl caprylate (a monoester of glycerin and caprylic acid from plant oils) and is designed to support preservation systems rather than act as a standalone strong preservative.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it an important “natural” preservation-support ingredient in modern cosmetics.
CAS Number: 26402-26-6
Molecular Formula: C11H22O4
Molecular Weight: 218.29
EINECS Number: 247-668-1
Synonyms: Monoctanoin, monooctanoin, glyceryl monooctanoate, glyceryl 1-monooctanoate, glyceryl 1-caprylate, glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl monocaprylate, glycerol monocaprylate, glycerin monocaprylate, glyceryl octanoate, glycerol octanoate, 1-monooctanoin, 1-monooctanoyl glycerol, 1-monooctanoyl-rac-glycerol, 1-octanoyl-rac-glycerol, rac-glyceryl octanoate, octanoic acid monoglyceride, caprylic acid monoglyceride, mono-caprylin, alpha-monocaprylin, octanoic acid, monoester with glycerol, octanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl octanoate, octanoic acid 1-monoglyceride, Capmul, Capmul MCM-C 8, Imwitor 308, Sunsoft 700P, Poem M 100, MOCTANIN, CAS 502-54-5, EC 247-668-1, CHEBI:84309, CHEBI:85241, UNII TM2TZD4G4A, UNII MCF579Z59B, DTXSID6048383, DTXCID6022006, RefChem:922333, OCTANOIN;MONOCAPRYLIN;1-MONOOCTANOYL-RAC-GLYCEROL;1-MONOCAPRYLIN;1-MONOCAPRYLOYL-RAC-GLYCEROL (C8:0);GLYCEROL ALPHA-MONOOCTANOATE;octanoic acid, monoester with glycerol;monocaprylin95+%
Lexgard Natural MB consists of monoacylglycerols, mainly glyceryl caprylate, which is an amphiphilic molecule containing a glycerol backbone linked to a medium-chain fatty acid (C8).
This structure allows it to interact with microbial cell membranes and disrupt their function at sufficient concentrations.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it relevant in cosmetic antimicrobial chemistry.
Lexgard Natural MB is typically used in emulsion-based systems (creams, lotions, shampoos) where it improves product stability while helping reduce microbial growth pressure when combined with other mild preservatives.
It is not usually strong enough to fully preserve products alone in high-risk formulations.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it a supportive preservative system component.
Lexgard Natural MB is best described as a naturally derived multifunctional cosmetic ingredient that enhances preservation efficacy, improves formulation stability, and contributes mild antimicrobial activity in personal care products.
Its main role is supportive rather than primary preservation.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it widely used in “clean label” cosmetic formulations.
Lexgard Natural MB is a 1-monoglyceride that has octanoyl as the acyl group.
It is a 1-monoglyceride and an octanoate ester.
Lexgard Natural MB is an all-natural multifunctional ingredient system for preservation effects.
Lexgard Natural MB is composed of high purity C8 monoesters and undecylenic acid to protect formulations from microbial growth.
Lexgard Natural MB is an antimicrobial agent with re-fatting, moisturizing and wetting agent properties.
It is a multi-functional, high purity, preservative-free, 88% monoester of glycerin and caprylate fatty acid.
Lexgard Natural MB are both derived from coconut and/ or palm oil.
It contains RSPO palm derivatives.
Lexgard Natural MB shows excellent skin compatibility with remarkable effects against microorganisms.
Lexgard Natural MB is used in skin care preparations.
Lexgard Natural MB behaves as a surface-active amphiphilic molecule, meaning it accumulates at interfaces (oil–water boundaries and cell membranes) and changes their physical stability and permeability.
This interfacial activity is one reason it can support antimicrobial performance and emulsion stability at the same time.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in interfacial chemistry of cosmetics.
Its antimicrobial contribution is generally considered “supportive” rather than sterilizing, meaning it reduces microbial growth pressure but is not strong enough alone to meet full preservation requirements in most water-rich cosmetic systems.
Because of this, it is usually paired with other preservation strategies.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in preservation system design.
In emulsions, Lexgard® Natural MB can act as a co-surfactant that helps stabilize oil droplets by lowering interfacial tension and improving the packing of surfactant layers around droplets.
This improves long-term physical stability like reduced separation or creaming.
This makes it useful in emulsion stability control.
Its effectiveness is influenced by pH and formulation environment, because the balance between its hydrophilic glycerol head and hydrophobic fatty chain can change how it partitions between phases.
Lexgard Natural MB affects both antimicrobial efficiency and emulsification behavior.
This makes it important in formulation optimization.
Compared with stronger synthetic preservatives, it is often selected because it provides milder sensory impact, lower irritation potential, and better compatibility with “natural” cosmetic positioning.
However, this usually comes with the trade-off of requiring a more complex preservation system.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in clean beauty formulation strategy.
It is also valued in formulations for helping reduce the need for high levels of traditional preservatives or surfactants, contributing to milder overall product chemistry and improved skin feel.
Lexgard Natural MB can improve consumer acceptance in sensitive-skin products.
This makes it useful in mild formulation design.
Melting point: 39.0 to 43.0 °C
Boiling point: 296 °C (at 101 325 Pa)
Density: 1.024 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)
Vapor pressure: 0.001 Pa (at 25 °C)
Storage temperature: −20 °C
Solubility: DMSO: 100 mg/mL (458.11 mM)
Form: Powder to lump
Color: White to orange to green
Water solubility: 330 g/L (at 20 °C)
Merck index: 14,6252
Cosmetics ingredient functions: Skin conditioning (emollient), deodorant, surfactant (emulsifying)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): Monocaprylin (CAS 26402-26-6)
LogP: 1.71 (at 25 °C)
Lexgard Natural MB colorless transparent liquid, light odor, mellow taste, soluble in oil and various organic solvents.
Viscosity (15~31)×10-3Pa-S(25℃), viscosity almost unchanged after long time cooking and frying.
Lexgard Natural MB high temperature resistance, not easy to be oxidized.HLB value 12.5.
Lexgard Natural MB works by disrupting microbial cell membranes due to its amphiphilic structure, where the fatty acid chain interacts with lipid layers and the glycerol head interacts with the aqueous environment.
This weakens cell integrity and inhibits microbial growth.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in mild antimicrobial systems.
Lexgard Natural MB is often combined with other preservation agents such as organic acids, phenoxyethanol alternatives, or glycols to create a broader and more effective antimicrobial system in cosmetic products.
This synergistic effect improves overall preservation performance.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in preservation system design.
Unlike traditional strong preservatives, Lexgard Natural MB is valued for its mildness and compatibility with skin, making it suitable for formulations targeting sensitive skin or “natural/green” cosmetic positioning.
This aligns with consumer demand for gentle ingredients.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in cosmetic trend chemistry.
Lexgard Natural MB also contributes to emulsion stabilization by interacting at oil-water interfaces, helping improve texture, consistency, and product feel in creams and lotions.
This secondary function enhances overall formulation quality.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it useful in emulsifier-support systems.
Because it is derived from plant-based raw materials, it fits into bio-based cosmetic formulation strategies focused on biodegradability, renewable sourcing, and reduced synthetic additive content.
This supports sustainable product development in personal care industries.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in green cosmetics.
Lexgard Natural MB is an all-natural multi-functional ingredient system for self-preserving cosmetics.
Lexgard Natural MB is composed of high purity C8 monoesters and undecylenic acid.
The former is well established for its biostatic activity against bacteria and yeast.
The latter provides moderate fungistatic activity.
Lexgard Natural MB is primarily effective against bacteria & yeast with some efficacy against mold.
For added broad spectrum protection it can be combined with a strong yeast & mold control agent, like Spectrastat CHA (Caprylhydroxamic Acid).
Lexgard Natural MB is an emollient, co-emulsifier and skin re-fatting agent which is especially recommended for use in W/O or O/W emulsion systems such as skin care creams and lotions.
It is recommended that Lexgard Natural MB be used at concentrations of 1.0-1.5% w/w and is stable and effective at pH 4.0 - 8.0.
It should be incorporated in the water phase during cool down or during the emulsification process.
Lexgard Natural MB contains 100% biobased content as certified by the USDA BioPreferred Program, is COSMOS approved, and is approved for use in NSF/ANSI 305 certified personal care products.
Lexgard Natural MB is listed in the China FDA IECIC inventory.
Lexgard Natural MB has a dual-function behavior typical of amphiphilic monoesters, meaning it can partition between oil and water phases and influence both microbial membranes and emulsion interfaces at the same time.
This dual partitioning is what gives it both preservation-support and formulation-stability roles.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in multifunctional cosmetic chemistry.
Its antimicrobial effect is strongly linked to membrane stress mechanisms, where the fatty acid chain inserts into lipid bilayers of microorganisms, increasing permeability and causing leakage of cellular components at sufficient concentrations.
This is a physical disruption mechanism rather than a biochemical poison pathway.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in mild antimicrobial action.
In emulsions, it can also influence droplet size distribution by reducing interfacial tension during homogenization, which can lead to finer and more stable emulsions with improved sensory feel.
This often results in smoother textures in creams and lotions.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in cosmetic texture engineering.
Because it is derived from medium-chain fatty acids, it shows higher antimicrobial activity compared with long-chain monoesters, since shorter chains interact more efficiently with microbial membranes.
However, this also increases the need for controlled formulation use to avoid irritation.
Lexgard Natural MB makes structure–activity relationships important.
Its performance is also affected by formulation pH and ionic strength, since these conditions influence how the molecule distributes between phases and how strongly it can interact with microbial surfaces.
This is why preservation systems often require careful pH design.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in formulation stability science.
Compared with conventional preservatives, Lexgard Natural MB is often positioned as a “multifunctional booster” rather than a primary preservative, meaning it improves the effectiveness of other antimicrobial agents while contributing mild independent activity.
This reduces reliance on harsher preservative systems.
This makes it important in modern clean-label formulation strategies.
Uses:
Lexgard Natural MB is used in preparation of Citric Acid mixed grease plasticizer.Also, It is an active agent for skin and hair care with pysicochemistry modifying properties.
Lexgard Natural MB is a glycol ether that has been used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent.
Lexgard Natural MB is an effective antimicrobial agent against bacteria and fungi in vitro, but not against viruses.
Lexgard Natural MB is used to prevent the growth of microorganisms in ointments, creams, and lotions.
Lexgard Natural MB has also been shown to inhibit the development of infectious diseases by altering the chemical matrix at the surface of the skin or in tissues.
Lexgard Natural MB is widely used in skin care creams and lotions where mild antimicrobial support is needed to maintain product stability without relying solely on traditional synthetic preservatives.
Lexgard Natural MB helps extend shelf life in combination systems.
This makes it important in cosmetic preservation systems.
It is used in shampoos, conditioners, and hair care products to help control microbial growth while maintaining mildness and good skin compatibility.
Lexgard Natural MB supports stable formulation performance in aqueous systems.
This makes it useful in personal care products.
In facial care products such as cleansers, serums, and moisturizers, it helps improve formulation safety and stability while aligning with “natural” or “clean beauty” product claims.
Lexgard Natural MB is often selected for sensitive skin formulations.
This makes it important in skincare formulation.
Lexgard Natural MB is used in wet wipes and rinse-off cosmetic products where microbial control is important due to high water content and repeated consumer exposure.
It helps reduce contamination risk during product use.
This makes it important in hygiene products.
Lexgard Natural MB is also used in natural and organic-certified cosmetic formulations where regulatory restrictions limit the use of conventional preservatives.
It helps meet certification requirements while maintaining product safety.
This makes it important in certified cosmetic systems.
In formulation design, it is often included as a preservative booster that enhances the effectiveness of weaker antimicrobial systems rather than acting as a standalone preservative.
This improves overall preservation efficiency in mild systems.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in multifunctional cosmetic chemistry.
Lexgard Natural MB is widely used in leave-on skincare products such as creams, lotions, and serums where microbial stability must be maintained while keeping a gentle, skin-friendly formulation profile.
It supports preservation systems without harsh synthetic load.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in skincare preservation design.
Lexgard Natural MB is used in rinse-off products like shampoos, shower gels, and facial cleansers to help maintain microbial control in water-rich systems during storage and consumer use.
These systems require reliable but mild preservation support.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it useful in personal care chemistry.
In wet wipes and cosmetic wipes, it helps reduce microbial contamination risk due to high water content and repeated handling exposure during use.
This improves product safety during shelf life and consumer contact.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in hygiene formulations.
Lexgard Natural MB is included in “natural,” “eco,” and “clean label” cosmetic formulations where formulators aim to reduce reliance on conventional preservatives while maintaining regulatory compliance.
It supports marketing and regulatory positioning.
This makes it important in natural cosmetic systems.
Lexgard Natural MB is also used as a co-emulsifier and stability aid in creams and lotions, helping maintain uniform texture and preventing phase separation over time.
This improves product aesthetics and stability.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it useful in formulation stability engineering.
In formulation development, it is often used in preservation booster systems where it works alongside organic acids, glycols, or mild preservatives to achieve full-spectrum antimicrobial protection.
This combined approach is necessary for challenging aqueous formulations.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in multi-component preservation systems.
Lexgard Natural MB is widely used in moisturizing creams and lotions where both microbial stability and pleasant skin feel are required without heavy synthetic preservative loads.
It helps maintain product integrity while supporting mild formulations.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in skincare preservation systems.
Lexgard Natural MB is used in facial care products such as serums, emulsions, and lightweight creams where formulation stability and compatibility with sensitive skin are key requirements.
It supports both safety and sensory performance.
This makes it useful in facial skincare chemistry.
In hair care products like shampoos and conditioners, it helps maintain microbial control in water-rich systems while improving emulsion stability and product consistency.
It contributes to stable long-term product quality.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in hair care formulation.
It is used in wet wipes and hygiene products where high water content and repeated exposure increase the risk of microbial contamination during use and storage.
Lexgard Natural MB provides supportive antimicrobial protection in combination systems.
This makes it important in hygiene product safety.
In natural and “eco-certified” cosmetic formulations, it is used to reduce reliance on traditional synthetic preservatives while still maintaining acceptable preservation efficacy.
It helps meet regulatory and marketing requirements for clean beauty products.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it important in natural cosmetics.
Lexgard Natural MB is also included in preservation booster blends where it enhances the performance of organic acids, glycols, or other mild antimicrobial agents in multi-component systems.
Lexgard Natural MB synergy is essential for challenging formulations.
This makes it important in preservation system design.
Safety Profile:
Lexgard Natural MB is generally considered a low-to-moderate hazard cosmetic ingredient with a strong safety profile when used within recommended concentrations in personal care formulations.
It is designed specifically for skin-compatible applications.
Lexgard Natural MB makes it relatively safe in cosmetic use.
At high concentrations, it may cause mild skin or eye irritation, especially in sensitive individuals or when used in poorly formulated systems.
These effects are typically reversible with proper dilution.
Lexgard Natural MB makes formulation control important.
Lexgard Natural MB has low acute toxicity and is not considered highly hazardous under normal industrial handling conditions, but standard good manufacturing practices are still required.
This ensures safe production and handling.
This makes workplace hygiene important.
Because it has antimicrobial activity, it may cause temporary disruption of skin microbiota balance if used in overly concentrated or improperly formulated products.
Proper formulation ensures skin compatibility is maintained.
Lexgard Natural MB makes dosage control important.
Environmental impact is generally considered low, as it is derived from natural fatty acids and is expected to be biodegradable under normal conditions.
However, large uncontrolled releases should still be avoided.
Lexgard Natural MB makes environmental management important.
