Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride vs Mayu (Horse Oil): which Korean skincare ingredient?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride vs Mayu (Horse Oil): Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride leans toward dryness & dehydration, while Mayu (Horse Oil) targets dryness & dehydration. Can you use both? Yes — they layer well together.
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Mayu (Horse Oil) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Coconut-derived, fractionated, and nothing like coconut oil in behaviour. It is one of the most-used emollients in cosmetics because it is light, spreads beautifully and stays fresh for years. If a Korean cleansing oil or ampoule feels silky rather than greasy, this ester is often the quiet reason. | 마유 (mayu) is rendered horse fat, a Jeju souvenir-shop staple and a genuine folk remedy for chapped winter skin. Its fatty acid mix is unusually similar to human sebum, which is the usual explanation for why it absorbs so well. That similarity is documented; the leaping claims about regeneration are not. Not for vegans, obviously. |
| Best for | Dryness & dehydration, Damaged moisture barrier | Dryness & dehydration, Damaged moisture barrier, Flaking & peeling |
| When to use | BOTH | PM |
Which should you choose?
Choose Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride if your priority is Dryness & dehydration; choose Mayu (Horse Oil) for Dryness & dehydration. Many Korean routines use both — yes — they layer well together.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride guide →Mayu (Horse Oil) guide →
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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.