Lauryl glucoside didn’t start as a superstar in the world of surfactants. This ingredient came out of the late 20th century shift toward more environmentally kind materials, especially for personal care items. Chemists, tired of harsh sulphates and the skin irritation linked to them, began searching for alternatives that ticked the boxes for both performance and sustainability. Synthesizing lauryl glucoside draws on renewable resources like coconut oil and glucose, which already sounds better than petroleum. European manufacturers first took the plunge, and since then, this sugar-based surfactant has been gaining traction, turning what used to be niche natural shampoos into mainstream products you find on any shelf. Those early years saw a lot of research to get the right purity, consistency, and foaming action, but persistence paid off.
Lauryl glucoside appears in countless gentle cleansers, baby products, and eco-friendly detergents. It belongs to the alkyl polyglucoside (APG) family. This means it pulls together the longer hydrocarbon chain from coconut or palm kernel oil with simple glucose made from corn or wheat starch. You get a clear or slightly hazy liquid that mixes well with water, and it brings in less irritation than the old-school options. A lot of formulators look to lauryl glucoside for its ability to produce stable foam and clean without stripping skin. It fits right in with the push for natural transparency, especially as consumers start flipping labels over to check the ingredients.
This substance comes through as a viscous, slightly cloudy liquid at room temperature. Lauryl glucoside has a mild, sweet scent and tends to be pale yellow. Its pH sits close to neutral, around 7, which explains the gentle touch. In terms of structure, it’s nonionic—one reason why it gets along so well with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic ingredients. That compatibility proves handy when you start blending up complicated formulas. Its typical carbon chain of 12 gives plenty of grease-fighting power, while the glucose group softens up the surfactant so it feels milder on skin.
Manufacturers usually list detailed specs for lauryl glucoside: appearance (clear to pale yellow), active substance content (50–55%), water content (around 40–48%), pH (typically 11–12.5 in concentrated form), and viscosity (roughly 1,000–5,000 mPa·s at 25°C). Labels in Europe often refer to it as “Lauryl Glucoside,” while North American suppliers might stick with the same name for simplicity. Some ingredients lists might note CAPB or APG blends, but at its core, lauryl glucoside shows up under its own name and rarely gets hidden under a code.
Lauryl glucoside begins with two simple raw ingredients: a fatty alcohol (usually from coconut or palm) and glucose from starch. Through a process called condensation, these pieces join in the presence of acid catalysts under warm conditions, building the glycosidic bond. Chemists then neutralize and purify the mixture, washing out residual catalysts and byproducts. The process needs control to strike a balance—you want to avoid excess free fatty alcohol, which brings in cloudiness or separates in finished goods. Factories chase high-purity product with consistent activity, which takes tight handling at every stage.
The basic lauryl glucoside structure can open up options for chemical tweaks or downstream reactions. Some manufacturers blend different chain lengths (decyl, coco, or capryl glucoside) to adjust foam quality or solubility. Certain processes allow partial hydrogenation or further glycosylation. These modifications let lauryl glucoside fit into more specialized detergents, industrial cleaning products, or cosmetics that place a premium on mildness. Its resilience against hard water and stable performance in a range of pH conditions means it won’t break down or lose function easily.
Across the globe, this ingredient might pop up as Dodecyl Glucoside, Lauryl polyglucoside, or Alkyl polyglucoside (APG). Trade names include Plantacare (BASF), Glucopon (Clariant), Lamesoft (BASF, when combined with betaines), and Euperlan. In ingredient declarations, “Lauryl Glucoside” remains the most common labeling worldwide. This wide variety in naming can catch even seasoned professionals off-guard, so anyone evaluating an ingredient list should watch for both technical and trade names.
Most safety data on lauryl glucoside points to low irritation potential and absence of carcinogenic risks, making it a frequent choice in baby shampoos and sensitive-skin cleansers. Regulatory agencies like the EU’s ECHA, the US FDA, and Japan’s MHLW all greenlight the ingredient for use in cosmetics and detergents, provided it meets purity and residual thresholds. Its biodegradability rating passes OECD standards, which offers a responsible option for those looking to minimize wastewater impact. Industry safety guidelines ask for airtight storage away from acids or oxidizers, and the viscous syrup can cause slips if spilled, so training staff to clean up right away becomes part of the routine.
Manufacturers rely on lauryl glucoside for several product categories: face washes, shower gels, liquid dish soaps, and hard surface cleaners. Its main selling points lie in mildness and sustainability, so you’ll see it at the top of ingredient lists for brands that market themselves as green or sensitive. In cleaning products for kids or pets, it offers the same grease-cutting performance without the backlash of harsh afterfeel, even at higher concentrations. For professionals in industrial cleaning, lauryl glucoside bridges the gap between strong performance and a smaller environmental footprint.
Research teams continue to explore new uses for lauryl glucoside in both personal care and household sectors. Recent studies look at blending ratios to maximize mildness and foaming, testing combinations with ingredients like cocamidopropyl betaine or natural saponins. The advent of “waterless” product formats challenges chemists to tweak lauryl glucoside for higher concentration and stability. With pressure to replace legacy surfactants like SLS, biochemistry labs evaluate enzymatic pathways to reduce resource inputs, cut production time, and trim overall emissions, pushing green surfactants further into the mainstream.
Current animal and in-vitro studies point to lauryl glucoside having low acute and sub-chronic toxicity. Dermatological research shows rare occurrences of allergic reaction, and those cases often link to impurities rather than the surfactant itself. Chronic exposure tests at standard usage levels return results under irritation thresholds, which confirms the benefits for daily-use formulations. Long-term aquatic toxicity trials mark the substance as readily biodegradable and non-bioaccumulative, which matters for brands working to meet environmental benchmarks. Tracing the ingredient from raw material through to wastewater, the majority breaks down in weeks, reducing the risk of persistent organic pollutants.
Demand for lauryl glucoside keeps rising as consumers get more serious about ingredient safety and environmental impact. The ingredient’s supply chain roots, built on renewable resources, line up with global mandates for lower-carbon manufacturing. Expect chemical engineers to further refine the process, aiming for zero-waste output and lower energy consumption. Future product launches will challenge lauryl glucoside to work in new formats, with trends toward concentrated solids and dissolvable pods. Research into agricultural and pharmaceutical uses is expanding, given the mildness and performance of APGs. As new regulations clamp down on microplastics and harsh detergents, lauryl glucoside’s profile stands ready to fill the gap.
Lauryl glucoside might sound like a chemical reserved for lab coats and test tubes, but it pops up everywhere—from foaming cleansers in the bathroom to baby shampoos. I learned about it not from textbooks, but from stumbling into ingredient lists while searching for gentler soaps. Curious, I started looking into what this stuff actually does and why everyone from eco-friendly brands to big names puts it in their products.
Lauryl glucoside comes from plants—specifically, glucose that comes from corn or potatoes, mixed with fatty alcohol from coconut or palm oil. In my hunt for products that don’t wreck sensitive skin or trigger allergies at home, I saw this name pop up in labels for “natural” and “mild” cleansers. Many families look for options that are gentle because allergies and skin reactions have become way too common. The ingredient stands out because it forms mild lather without the sting that comes from harsher soaps.
The main job lauryl glucoside does: it helps water work better at lifting dirt and oils off surfaces—either your skin or your kitchen counter. Scientists call these surfactants. The molecules have one part that grabs onto water and another that grabs onto oils. As someone who has dealt with dish soap drying out skin after nightly cleanups, I appreciate a surfactant that’s tough on grease, but gentle on hands. Facts back it up; studies show lauryl glucoside scores low on skin irritation compared to older mainstays like sodium lauryl sulfate.
A big reason lauryl glucoside is everywhere now comes down to consumer pressure. People don’t just want clean—they want safe, and they want eco-friendly. Lauryl glucoside breaks down quickly once it goes down the drain. For years, concerns over water pollution and aquatic life suffering from tougher detergents kept growing. Switching to plant-based surfactants like this one means less worry about harsh chemicals lingering in rivers and oceans. Both the European Union and U.S. agencies consider it safe for personal care and home use, which adds peace of mind.
Despite all the good, no ingredient ticks every box. Lauryl glucoside isn’t the best at creating big, fluffy foam—a deal-breaker for some who link bubbles with cleanliness. Some folks with ultra-sensitive skin still see reactions, maybe from impurities or other stuff that shows up in formulas. Making sure a product suits your skin always means digging a little deeper, patch testing, or asking your dermatologist.
Many cosmetic chemists and product developers keep looking for ways to improve what lauryl glucoside does. Blending it with other gentle surfactants creates more effective cleansers without resorting to harsher chemicals. The personal care and household cleaning industries listen closely to both scientists and regular folks who just want products that don’t cause harm.
Choosing a cleanser, whether for you or your family, often means picking your priorities—gentleness, effectiveness, sustainability. Lauryl glucoside doesn’t solve every cleaning or skincare problem, but for people looking to avoid harshness and take a gentler approach to health, it represents progress. In my own experience, switching to products with this ingredient helped ease up on skin irritation while still keeping things clean. Each shopping trip or online search offers a chance to make informed, healthier choices for the body and the planet.
Lauryl glucoside shows up in a lot of personal care products like shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It comes from plants, mainly coconut or palm and glucose. Companies use it because it lathers easily and helps water mix with oil and dirt, so everything rinses away smoothly. A lot of people, including dermatologists, call it one of the milder surfactants out there.
Sensitive skin often reacts to harsh chemicals or strong surfactants. What makes lauryl glucoside attractive is its low irritancy profile, even compared to some other “gentle” cleansers. Research, including clinical patch testing, often rates it as non-irritating and non-sensitizing at standard use concentrations. The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reviewed it and didn’t flag any meaningful risks for the general population or people with sensitive skin, so long as products use it at reasonable levels.
Over years of trying to sort out skincare for sensitive skin, I’ve looked for ingredients less likely to trigger redness or tightness. Lauryl glucoside crops up again and again in “dermatologist recommended” products meant for folks who react to mainstream options. Gentle foam cleansers, kids’ shampoos, and even baby wipes use this ingredient because so many people find it tolerable.
That doesn’t mean nobody reacts. Allergies and sensitivities differ for everyone. I’ve heard from people who feel itchy or get a mild rash after using cleansers with this ingredient, but reports are rare compared to stronger surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which triggers much more drama for sensitive skin. In my own household, products with lauryl glucoside have caused less redness and fewer flare-ups for family members who usually break out from heavily fragranced or artificial formulas.
Dermatologists tend to trust lauryl glucoside for people who need simple, non-stripping cleansers. The National Eczema Association lists it as a preferred surfactant for eczema-friendly products. Cosmetic chemists value it for low risk of skin penetration and for biodegradability, which adds a small environmental perk.
Still, “gentle” is a relative term. Ingredient purity, concentration, and product formulation affect skin responses. Some products blend lauryl glucoside with stronger surfactants, undermining its benefits. Labels can be sneaky, so it helps to scan full ingredient lists and stick with brands transparent about what they use.
People with sensitive skin have a laundry list of triggers to dodge: fragrances, harsh preservatives, alcohols, and some dyes. Choosing products where lauryl glucoside plays the main surfactant role, especially when paired with ingredients like glycerin or panthenol, often leads to less irritation. Patch testing anything new—rubbing a small amount on your arm for a day or two—remains smart. If skin turns red, itchy, or flaky, moving on makes sense.
Regulators see lauryl glucoside as safe in personal care products. That doesn’t create a guarantee for everyone, but compared to ingredients known for trouble, it winds up low on the worry list. Sensitive skin rewards patience and careful selection, and lauryl glucoside-including products offer an option that matches those needs for many people.
Shampoo bottles and cleaning sprays these days tend to talk up their “natural” ingredients. One name that keeps turning up is lauryl glucoside. For many people, its unfamiliarity creates confusion. Some say it’s from plants, others whisper about synthetic origins. Before tossing a bottle into your shopping basket, it helps to look beneath the label.
Lauryl glucoside comes from mixing plants, basically. Manufacturers start with glucose, which is a sugar most often extracted from corn or sometimes potatoes. After that, they combine this glucose with lauryl alcohol. Lauryl alcohol comes from the fatty alcohols found in plants—coconut oil and palm kernel oil are top choices. Through a chemical process, these two ingredients bind together.
It’s true, that process takes place in a lab. It uses heat and sometimes a little acid to bring everything together. Still, the main pieces—green plants and simple sugars—are renewable. They don’t come straight from a barrel of crude oil. That’s more “natural” than some cleaning and personal care chemicals, which come directly from petroleum.
People turn to plant-based products for several reasons. Skin sensitivity plays a role. Synthetic detergents, especially sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, can strip skin and hair. Lauryl glucoside has a reputation for being gentle. Many dermatologists point out that it less often causes irritation because the natural sources offer fewer harsh contaminants and lower toxicity.
There’s also the environmental side. Crops such as corn and coconut can be grown, year after year. Petroleum, on the other hand, needs drilling, refining, and transportation across the world. Producing lauryl glucoside doesn’t sidestep every environmental problem—palm oil plantations can cause deforestation. But by avoiding raw fossil fuels and favoring renewable crops, companies can shape their impact.
The European Chemicals Agency and groups like the Environmental Working Group classify lauryl glucoside as a safe surfactant, with low concern for both humans and the planet. In my own home, we switched to shampoos without sulfates after dealing with persistent itchy scalps. Finding “glucoside” cleansers actually made a difference. Our hair felt less dry, and I felt a little better knowing what I put on my kids’ skin wasn’t tracing back to an oil well.
Of course, natural sourcing alone doesn't clear up every issue. Palm oil’s environmental track record is famously patchy. Plant-based doesn’t always guarantee clean labor practices, either. For those concerned about these things, look for third-party certifications. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, or RSPO, helps make sure palm plantations cause less harm. Brands with rigorous sourcing and transparency offer more peace of mind.
Education needs to keep pace with the growing demand for “green” products. Ingredient lists need plain language. Companies should give real details about where their raw materials come from and how workers are treated. Shoppers need trustworthy information, not marketing fluff.
Lauryl glucoside starts as glucose and plant-based oils. It’s certainly more plant-derived than many alternatives in the cleaning aisle. When companies invest in smart sourcing and tell the story straight, it’s a win for people and the planet. By making careful choices, we give gentle formulas to our families and support practices we can stand behind.
Many folks want cleaner products with fewer trade-offs. Lauryl glucoside pops up in shampoos and dish soaps with promises of being gentler on both people and the planet. It’s a mild surfactant, coming from glucose and lauryl alcohol, both plant-based. That makes it attractive to shoppers tired of harsh ingredients and looking to lighten their eco-footprint.
The word “biodegradable” gets thrown around a lot but can seem vague. For me, it basically means something will decompose in nature, turning into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, without leaving harmful junk behind. Real biodegradability needs real testing. Good standards—like those from the OECD—make it clear: the ingredient must break down fast and completely, often within 28 days.
Studies show that lauryl glucoside biodegrades well under aerobic conditions. According to research published by the European Chemicals Agency and data from existing environmental certification bodies, over 90% of lauryl glucoside breaks down in a few weeks under appropriate conditions. This is about as good as it gets for a surfactant. In my own switch to eco-friendly soaps at home, the stuff rinses out easily, and wastewater experts report that treatment plants break it down without trouble.
Why chase after biodegradable products? For starters, you'll keep waterways healthier. Traditional surfactants—SLS and SLES—linger much longer before breaking down. Persistent chemicals increase the burden on wastewater plants and threaten aquatic life. It hits home in towns facing algal blooms or fish kills linked to detergent pollution.
Home use directly impacts this. Every time you rinse the sink or shower, those soap remnants head downstream. Fast-breaking surfactants like lauryl glucoside reduce that load. And since it’s plant-based, you’re voting for renewable crops and fewer fossil resources with every bottle.
Biodegradable doesn’t mean entirely impact-free. Sugar-derived surfactants take energy and water to make. Farms growing the required plants often use land that could support food. And not every wastewater system breaks down every ingredient equally—a robust treatment plant will manage it, but poorly maintained ones struggle.
In rural areas where wastewater flows into septic tanks or open ground, lauryl glucoside does make life easier for local ecosystems. Still, nothing replaces the benefit of reducing overuse. The less product washed down the drain, the easier it is for any system to keep up.
Shoppers shape this market. Supporting brands that use certified biodegradable ingredients encourages manufacturers to care about environmental fate, not just foaming power. Looking for third-party eco labels—like Ecocert or EU Ecolabel—can help cut out greenwashing. Companies that share environmental testing results, not just buzzwords, stand out for trustworthiness.
More buyers ask about life after the drain. Biodegradability matters, but honest, transparent communication from companies counts even more. I think a blend of responsible chemistry, responsible production, and responsible use will push the next wave of clean, effective cleaners that are better for everyone.
Lauryl glucoside turns up in face wash, kid-friendly shampoo, and green dish soap. You find it by flipping over a bottle and reading the ingredient list. It’s often grouped under “mild surfactant,” and gets its gentle reputation from coming from plant sources like coconut or corn. Companies choose it because foam sells, and people love the feel of a good lather.
Lots of dermatologists say lauryl glucoside feels milder than harsh cleansers like sodium lauryl sulfate. Studies back this up: people patch tested with lauryl glucoside usually don’t get skin reactions. A review in the International Journal of Toxicology noted practically no skin irritation under normal conditions. This has made natural brands lean heavily into lauryl glucoside for “sensitive skin” formulas.
Some people don’t share that experience. If your skin acts up from heat, allergies, or fragrance, you know it only takes one unpredictable ingredient to start the cycle: tightness, redness, or a stinging scalp right after a shower. Reports of lauryl glucoside allergies exist. The American Contact Dermatitis Society reports rare but real cases where a leave-on or rinse-off product triggered eczema.
Medical studies and real-world stories agree: allergic reactions to lauryl glucoside remain rare. The European Commission’s Scientific Committee studied its safety and reported only a handful of allergy cases across hundreds of millions of users. Most people never see a rash. Still, the few who do often have skin already primed for reactions—atopic dermatitis, previous allergies to other surfactants, history of hand eczema, or reactions to other “coconut-derived” ingredients.
The rise in “natural” body washes and shampoos has made spotting triggers harder. Formulas mix lauryl glucoside with plant oils, botanicals, or essential oils. Any of these extras can trip up sensitive skin, so blaming lauryl glucoside gets tricky.
If you get a rash or burning feeling after switching soaps, step back and look at all the changes. Dermatologists suggest keeping track with a product diary—just jot down new items you’re using. Patch tests with a doctor find out if you’ve picked up an allergy. If lauryl glucoside is the culprit, switching to cleansers with different surfactants or old-fashioned soap bars can make life easier.
People with allergies or chronic eczema sometimes need formulas stripped to the basics—no fragrance, no botanicals, and a bare minimum of ingredients. Parents of young kids, or adults with hard-to-treat dermatitis, often learn to double-check every label before buying. It’s not about discarding all plant-based surfactants, but finding the one that fits you.
Lauryl glucoside usually gives a gentler wash for most people. Those with ultra-sensitive skin or a history of allergies need to read packaging with a little more skepticism. Brands that provide complete ingredient lists and honest claims help people navigate choices safely. The push for transparency in the cosmetic world gives everyone more control.
It’s never about fearmongering or sweeping reassurance. Most users never face issues, but a few do. Paying attention to your own reactions—and trusting your skin’s signals—helps avoid discomfort while keeping your daily routine stress-free.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | Dodecyl β-D-glucopyranoside |
| Other names |
Dodecyl glucoside Lauryl d-glucoside D-glucose, dodecyl glycoside C12-16 alkyl glucoside Alkyl polyglucoside |
| Pronunciation | /ˈlɔːrɪl ˈɡluːkəsaɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 110615-47-9 |
| Beilstein Reference | 822104 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:31399 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL562311 |
| ChemSpider | 113403 |
| DrugBank | DB11107 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03b594c7-ce80-42ee-8c4a-8b3a735f3c5a |
| EC Number | EC 600-975-8 |
| Gmelin Reference | 82119 |
| KEGG | C16060 |
| MeSH | D062728 |
| PubChem CID | 71310878 |
| RTECS number | MD5080000 |
| UNII | 3L46EJ6C70 |
| UN number | UN3082 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C18H36O6 |
| Molar mass | 334.49 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear to yellowish liquid or paste |
| Odor | Characteristic |
| Density | 1.05 - 1.10 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Soluble in water |
| log P | 1.99 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.01 hPa (20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | ~2.0 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 13.6 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.46 |
| Viscosity | 2000-5000 cP |
| Dipole moment | 3.54 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 587.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -7516.5 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D11AX |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Causes serious eye damage. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS05 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | Hazard statements: Causes serious eye damage. |
| Precautionary statements | Precautionary statements: P264, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-0-0 |
| Flash point | > 110°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 210 °C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD₅₀ (oral, rat) > 2000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | 5000 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | GV5950000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | 50 mg/m³ |
| REL (Recommended) | 1.6% |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | No IDLH established. |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Decyl glucoside Capryl glucoside Coco glucoside |
