Mild, biodegradable, and effective — decyl glucoside is becoming the go-to surfactant for conscious beauty brands.
he clean beauty movement isn't just about removing harmful ingredients — it's about choosing better alternatives. For surfactant systems, that alternative is increasingly APG (alkyl polyglucoside), with decyl glucoside leading the charge.
APG surfactants are non-ionic surfactants derived from renewable raw materials: fatty alcohols from coconut or palm oil, and glucose from corn starch. They are produced through a direct glycosidation reaction — no ethoxylation, no 1,4-dioxane risk.
Decyl glucoside (C10 alkyl polyglucoside) is the most widely used APG in personal care for good reason:
| Property |
Decyl Glucoside |
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) |
| Origin |
Coconut/corn (renewable) |
Petroleum/coconut |
| Biodegradability |
Readily biodegradable |
Slowly biodegradable |
| Skin irritation |
Very low |
High |
| Eye irritation |
Minimal |
Significant |
| Foam quality |
Rich, stable foam |
High foam but can be harsh |
| pH range |
5.0–8.0 (compatible with skin) |
Requires neutralization |
| 1,4-Dioxane risk |
None |
Possible trace |
1. Gentle on skin: With an irritation score among the lowest of all surfactants, decyl glucoside is ideal for baby products, sensitive skin lines, and micellar waters.
2. Formulation-friendly: Compatible with cationic, anionic, and amphoteric systems. Works well as a primary or co-surfactant. Synergistic with betaines and amino acid surfactants.
3. Clean label appeal: Plant-derived, readily biodegradable, no ethoxylation — checks every box for clean beauty certifications (COSMOS, NATRUE, ECOCERT).
4. Regulatory confidence: Not on any restricted substance list. No nitrosamine or 1,4-dioxane concerns.
- Viscosity: Decyl glucoside alone produces low-viscosity systems. Combine with cocamidopropyl betaine or add a thickener (xanthan gum, carbomer) for gel textures.
- Use level: 5%–15% as primary surfactant; 2%–8% as co-surfactant
- Preservation: APGs are generally well-preserved but monitor microbial counts in finished products
- Fragrance: Has a mild characteristic odor — test compatibility with your fragrance system
The global APG surfactant market is projected to grow at 6.2% CAGR through 2028, driven by clean beauty demand in North America and Europe. For B2B suppliers and formulators, this means increasing availability and improving cost competitiveness.
At YUXI Technology, we supply decyl glucoside (50% aqueous solution) and lauryl glucoside in bulk quantities for cosmetic and household formulations. Full COA, MSDS, and TDS available. Contact us for competitive pricing on 200kg+ orders.
