MCTs are used in a variety of different products and have grown significantly in popularity due to the rise of the modern wellness trend.

Food – MCTs are found in the cooking oil aisle as an alternative to traditional long chain triglycerides (LCTs) such as canola oil and olive oil. They are known to be healthier alternatives because the body can more easily metabolize medium chain triglycerides and therefore they are less likely to be stored in the body as excess weight. The popularity of the keto diet, which involves a high fat diet and intermittent fasting to put the body into ketosis, has made foods that are high in MCTs even more popular. This includes MCT oils, like coconut oil, and other forms of oils and powders that can be included in recipes, protein shakes, and health shakes.

Cosmetics – MCTs have long been used in cosmetics and personal care products. They impart a nourishing smooth sensory profile without being overly greasy or oily. The most commonly used MCT for cosmetics is caprylic/capric triglyceride (CCT) which is a combination of C8 and C10 carbon chains. CCT is lighter and less oily than longer chain oils, such as safflower oil or olive oil, which makes it ideal for cosmetics.

CBD products – MCTs are coupled with CBD in many forms including ingestibles and topicals. Next, we’ll take a closer look at this favorite couple.

In the food industry, medium chain triglycerides are proven to be easier to metabolize and so they became popular in the health and wellness space. Because of this characteristic, they are also often used as carriers for CBD. It is thought that MCTs may aid in the body’s processing and absorbing of the CBD. Increasingly, this pair is used in many different tinctures, gummies, supplements, and oils.

Of course, when we talk about CBD topicals, the way the CBD interacts with your body is completely different. Topicals don’t rely on digestion for you to feel CBD’s beneficial effects so MCTs serve a different purpose in these products. In skincare and other topical products, MCTs are cost-effective carriers for the CBD. In skincare oils, including an MCT helps you deliver CBD to skin with a soft & nourishing feel. In water-based products, MCT helps incorporate CBD into the formula while still having those amazing sensory effects.