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Skincare Ingredient

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Decyl Glucoside

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

Comedogenicity (pore clogging)
1/5 — Very low risk
Safety (overall safety)
2/5 — Low risk
Irritancy (skin irritation)
2/5 — Low risk

Safety Information

Non-comedogenic mild nonionic surfactant; generally low hazard (CIR/EWG) but can cause irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive skin or at higher concentrations/leave-on use. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has evaluated Decyl Glucoside and found it safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 50%, though the Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns it a moderate hazard score due to potential for skin irritation.

Quick Insights

At a glance

  • 01

    Decyl glucoside functions primarily as a surfactant, effectively removing dirt and oil from the skin.

  • 02

    This ingredient is valued for its ability to generate a pleasant foam in shampoos and cleansers.

  • 03

    Decyl glucoside can also help stabilize emulsions, ensuring a consistent product texture and appearance.

  • 04

    The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has assessed decyl glucoside as safe for use in cosmetics.

Overview

Ingredient Profile

Decyl glucoside is a mild, plant-derived surfactant obtained from coconut-based fatty alcohols and glucose. It effectively cleanses the skin while producing a gentle foam, and is commonly found in facial cleansers, body washes, and other rinse-off products. It can also function as an emulsion stabilizer in leave-on formulations like sunscreens and foundations, within concentrations deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. Decyl glucoside is a clear to slightly hazy yellow liquid soluble in water.
Classifications
Cleansing Agent

Data & Research

Scientific Facts

Arachidyl glucoside (or arachidyl proprionate) is not derived from peanuts ( Arachis hypogaea). Therefore, its use in cosmetic products does not pose an allergy risk for individuals with peanut allergies. Alkyl glucosides are composed of alkyl groups linked to glucose in the D-glycopyranoside form. The glucose component can be a single sugar unit (mono), two sugar units (di), three sugar units (tri), or multiple sugar units (oligo) – polysaccharides. Decyl glucoside with a degree of polymerization of 1.6, for example, is a mixture of decyl monosaccharide (glucopyranoside) and decyl disaccharide (maltopyranoside). These ingredients are generally supplied as aqueous solutions containing 50-65% of the ingredient.

Common Uses

Formulation in Decyl Glucoside

Decyl glucoside, along with other alkyl glucosides (such as Lauryl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside and Coco-Glucoside), are primarily used as surfactants – cleansing agents. C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside and Cetearyl Glucoside function as surfactants – emulsifying agents. Ethyl Glucoside is used as a skin-conditioning agent, acting as a humectant.

Role of Decyl 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.

EMULSION STABILISING

Emulsion Stabilizer

Prevents oil and water mixtures from separating

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

// Evidence: Emulsion stabilizers maintain dispersion of immiscible phases by preventing droplet coalescence through interfacial film formation, electrostatic repulsion, steric stabilization, viscosity enhancement, or network formation. Stabilizers include polymers (carbomers, xanthan gum), proteins, and modified celluloses. The combination of primary emulsifiers with secondary stabilizers creates robust lamellar liquid crystalline structures.

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 Decyl Glucoside

3780 formulations
Queen Screen Lightweight Skinscreen SPF50+
Queen Screen Lightweight Skinscreen SPF50+
Ultra Violette · sunscreen
Vitamin E Moisture-Protect Emulsion SPF30
Vitamin E Moisture-Protect Emulsion SPF30
The Body Shop · moisturizer
RUBORIL Expert SPF50+
RUBORIL Expert SPF50+
Isispharma · sunscreen
Roséliane CC Cream SPF50+
Roséliane CC Cream SPF50+
Uriage · makeup
Simply Hand Wash Lemon Sugar
Simply Hand Wash Lemon Sugar
Raw Sugar · body-skincare
Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Youth To The People · cleanser
Skin Defence Multi- Protection Light Essence SPF 50 PA +++
Skin Defence Multi- Protection Light Essence SPF 50 PA +++
The Body Shop · sunscreen
Eight Hour® Cream Sun Defense for Face SPF 50 Sunscreen
Eight Hour® Cream Sun Defense for Face SPF 50 Sunscreen
Elizabeth Arden · sunscreen
Aventus Shower Gel
Aventus Shower Gel
Creed · body-skincare
Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics
Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics
Beauty of Joseon · sunscreen
See all products with Decyl Glucoside

References

Scientific sources

[1]

UL Prospector, Accessed October 2021, ePublication

[2]

Dermatitis, November-December 2017, pages 342–345

[3]

International Journal of Toxicology, September-October 2013, pages 22S–48S

Semantic Analysis

Similar Ingredients

Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Decyl Glucoside — common questions

What is Decyl Glucoside in skincare?

Decyl glucoside is an alkyl glucoside derived from a 10-carbon alcohol (decyl alcohol) and glucose. Alkyl glucoside ingredients are produced by reacting alcohols with cyclic forms of sugar, such as glucose or glucose polymers. Other alkyl glucoside ingredients commonly used in cosmetics include Arachidyl Glucoside, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, and Ethyl Glucoside. These ingredients are typically found in a range of cosmetic products inclu

What does Decyl Glucoside do? / Functions of Decyl Glucoside?

Common functions: CLEANSING, EMULSION STABILISING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING.

What is the comedogenic rating of Decyl Glucoside? / Is Decyl Glucoside comedogenic?
1 1/5 — Very low risk

Decyl Glucoside has a comedogenic rating of 1 out of 5. A rating of 1 means it is unlikely to clog pores.

Does it clog pores?
Unlikely to Clog Pores

Decyl Glucoside is unlikely to clog pores (rating 1/5).

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

Decyl 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-comedogenic mild nonionic surfactant; generally low hazard (CIR/EWG) but can cause irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive skin or at higher concentrations/leave-on use. The Cosmetic Ingredi

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

Decyl 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 Decyl Glucoside in skincare?

Known considerations: Non-comedogenic mild nonionic surfactant; generally low hazard (CIR/EWG) but can cause irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive skin or at higher concentrations/leave-on use. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has evaluated Decyl Glucoside and found it safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 50%, though the Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns it a moderate hazard score due to potential for skin irritation.

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