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Skincare Ingredient

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Coco-Glucoside

In Skincare: Is Coco-Glucoside Safe? Comedogenic Rating & Side Effects

Safety (overall safety)
2/5 — Low risk
Irritancy (skin irritation)
2/5 — Low risk

Safety Information

Non-ionic surfactant generally considered safe (CIR); may cause mild irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in some. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, Coco-Glucoside is safe for use in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns it a low hazard score, indicating it is not a significant skin irritant or sensitizer under normal use conditions.

Quick Insights

At a glance

  • 01

    Coco-Glucoside is a blend of fatty alcohols sourced from coconut oil and the sugar glucose.

  • 02

    This ingredient acts as a mild cleansing agent suitable for various skin types.

  • 03

    Coco-Glucoside effectively removes dirt and excess oil from the skin's surface.

  • 04

    Coco-Glucoside can be obtained from plant sources or produced synthetically.

Overview

Ingredient Profile

Coco-glucoside is a mild, plant-derived or synthetic surfactant created from coconut oil and glucose. It effectively cleanses skin by gently lifting dirt and oils, making it suitable for a variety of skincare formulations. Approved as safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel, coco-glucoside is typically used in concentrations up to 2% in leave-on products and 15% in rinse-off cleansers.
Classifications
Cleansing Agent

Data & Research

Scientific Facts

Coco-Glucoside is not derived from peanuts (Arachis hypogaea), so it does not pose an allergen risk for individuals with peanut allergies. Alkyl glucosides are composed of alkyl groups linked to glucose in the D-glycopyranoside form. The specific glucose structure can vary, resulting in mixtures of mono-, di-, tri-, oligo-, or polysaccharides.

Common Uses

Formulation in Coco-Glucoside

Coco-Glucoside is primarily used as a surfactant in cosmetic formulations. Surfactants are cleansing agents that help remove dirt and oil from the skin or hair. It can also function as an emulsifying agent, helping to blend oil and water-based ingredients together.

Role of Coco-Glucoside

Active Cosmetic Mechanisms

CLEANSING

Dirt & Oil Remover

Removes dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Cleansing ingredients remove sebum, dirt, cells, and cosmetics through surfactant action, emulsification, or solubilization. Surfactants reduce surface and interfacial tension, allowing water to wet oily surfaces. Micelle formation enables hydrophobic substances to be solubilized and rinsed away. Must balance efficacy with mildness to avoid stripping natural lipid barrier.

FOAMING

Lather Creator

Generates rich bubbles and lather

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Foaming agents (surfactants) reduce surface tension allowing air incorporation and stabilization as bubbles. Foam generation requires surfactant adsorption at air-water interface with hydrophobic tails toward air, mechanical agitation introducing air, and stabilization through surfactant films. Anionic surfactants (sodium laureth sulfate) and amphoteric surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine) are primary foaming agents.

SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

Cleansing Surfactant

Removes dirt and oil through surfactant action

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Cleansing surfactants specifically formulated for removing sebum, dirt, and impurities. Primarily anionic (sodium laureth sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate) and amphoteric surfactants (betaines). Mechanism involves reducing surface tension enabling water to wet oily surfaces, solubilizing lipophilic materials in micelles, and emulsifying oils for rinse-off. Cleansing efficacy balanced with mildness by surfactant selection, concentration, and pH optimization. Must avoid excessive lipid removal that compromises barrier function.

Products

containing Coco-Glucoside

3057 formulations
Purify Bio Aloe Vera Organic Rice Scrub
Purify Bio Aloe Vera Organic Rice Scrub
Nivea · exfoliators
All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk EX SPF 50+ PA++++
All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk EX SPF 50+ PA++++
Missha · sunscreen
Roses of Bulgaria and Hyaluron Cleansing Face Gel
Roses of Bulgaria and Hyaluron Cleansing Face Gel
Victoria Beauty · cleanser

References

Scientific sources

[1]

Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, July 2020, pages 809-819

[2]

Pediatric Dermatology, May/June 2020, Volume 37, Issue 3, pages 447-454

[3]

International Journal of Toxicology, September-October 2013, Volume 32, Supplement 5, pages 22S-48S

[4]

AAPS PharmSciTech, March 2011, pages 1-9

[5]

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, January 2010, pages 1-6

Semantic Analysis

Similar Ingredients

Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coco-Glucoside — common questions

What is Coco-Glucoside in skincare?

Coco-Glucoside is an alkyl glucoside derived from a combination of coconut alcohol and glucose. Alkyl glucosides are produced by reacting alcohols (varying in carbon chain length) with cyclic forms of glucose. Coco-Glucoside is typically supplied as an aqueous solution, generally containing 50-65% of the ingredient. The glucose component can be a mixture of mono-, di-, tri-, oligo-, or polysaccharides.

What does Coco-Glucoside do? / Functions of Coco-Glucoside?

Common functions: CLEANSING, FOAMING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING.

What is the comedogenic rating of Coco-Glucoside? / Is Coco-Glucoside comedogenic?

The comedogenic rating of Coco-Glucoside has not been established in our database.

Does it clog pores?
No Rating Available

Whether Coco-Glucoside clogs pores depends on the formulation and concentration.

Is Coco-Glucoside safe for skin?
2 2/5 — Low risk

Coco-Glucoside has a safety rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally considered safe for most skin types. Note: Non-ionic surfactant generally considered safe (CIR); may cause mild irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in some. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, Coco-Glucoside i

Is Coco-Glucoside good for sensitive skin?
2 2/5 — Low risk

Coco-Glucoside has an irritancy rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally well-tolerated.

What are the side effects of Coco-Glucoside in skincare?

Known considerations: Non-ionic surfactant generally considered safe (CIR); may cause mild irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in some. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, Coco-Glucoside is safe for use in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns it a low hazard score, indicating it is not a significant skin irritant or sensitizer under normal use conditions.

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