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Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
◐ Handmade Soap (limited: liquid soap, syndet and shampoo bars)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line functional ingredient
Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate (SLGC) is a newer-generation, sugar-derived anionic surfactant made by adding a carboxylate group to lauryl glucoside. It gives natural formulators what glucosides alone lack — rich, abundant, sulfate-like foam and easy viscosity — while remaining exceptionally mild, biodegradable, and COSMOS/Ecocert-approved. It is normally supplied blended with lauryl glucoside, which further softens its profile. Anionic surfactants of this mild class are far less barrier-disrupting than sulfates in surfactant research [1], and its glucoside component is covered by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review assessment of alkyl glucosides [2]. SLGC is ORY®‘s preferred sulfate-free primary surfactant when customers want a luxurious lather from a natural, sulfate-free product.
What is Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate made of?
SLGC is produced by carboxymethylating lauryl glucoside (from coconut lauryl alcohol and corn glucose) and neutralizing with sodium hydroxide; it is supplied with residual lauryl glucoside. Points to know [1, 2]:
- Anionic head (carboxylate) on a glucoside backbone: Strong foam and cleansing with glucoside mildness.
- Blend with lauryl glucoside (~30% active total): Amber liquid; pH ~11–12 as supplied — neutralize to pH 5–6.
- Sulfate-free, PEG-free, biodegradable, COSMOS-approved.
- Compatible with amphoterics and non-ionics; less so with cationics (anionic).
What skin type is best suited for Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate?
SLGC suits all seven ORY® skin types as a mild, high-foam cleanser:
- Sensitive: SLGC is among the mildest cleansing surfactants; suitable for reactive and eczema-prone skin (patch test).
- Dry: Low-stripping cleansing preserves barrier lipids; pair with glycerin and oils.
- Normal: Everyday gentle cleansing.
- Combination: Balanced foaming cleansers.
- Oily: Rich foam and effective oil removal without sulfates.
- Acne-prone: Gentle base for salicylic-acid or tea-tree cleansers.
- Mature: Non-stripping cleansing for thinning, drier skin.
What hair type is best suited for Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate?
SLGC delivers sulfate-like lather in sulfate-free shampoos:
- Sensitive scalp: SLGC shampoos reduce scalp irritation compared with sulfates.
- Dry or damaged: Low-stripping cleansing preserves natural oils.
- Curly and coily: Sulfate-free co-wash and low-poo formulas.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Gentle cleansing prolongs color and reduces fading.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Mild base for antifungal or salicylic-acid shampoos.
- Oily scalp: Adequate cleansing; combine with a stronger co-surfactant for heavy oil.
- Straight, wavy, mature or thinning: Gentle daily-use shampoos.
What are the benefits of Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate?
SLGC’s benefits combine performance with mildness [1, 2]:
- Rich, abundant foam: Sulfate-like lather from a sugar-based surfactant.
- Mild: Low barrier disruption for an anionic [1].
- Easy viscosity: Thickens with salt or CAPB.
- Effective cleansing: Removes sebum and product buildup.
- Sulfate-, PEG-free, biodegradable: COSMOS-approved.
- Conditioning after-feel: Soft, non-squeaky finish.
- Bar-suitable: Works in liquid and, with solid surfactants, in bars.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
SLGC serves cleansers, shampoos, liquid soaps, and syndet/shampoo bars; not cold-process soap.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Foaming facial cleansers, body washes, hand washes, bubble baths. |
10–25% (as supplied) |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Sulfate-free shampoos, clarifying shampoos, scalp cleansers. |
15–30% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Not in cold-process soap; primary surfactant in natural liquid soaps and syndet/shampoo bars. |
15–35% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Foaming makeup-removing cleansers, brush cleansers. |
5–15% |
Pros and cons of Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
Pros
Cons
- Sulfate-like foam, natural origin: Best of both.
- Mild: [1].
- Easy to thicken: Formulation-friendly.
- COSMOS-approved, biodegradable: Clean-label.
- Effective on oily hair and skin: Real cleansing power.
- Newer ingredient: Fewer independent safety and clinical studies than glucosides; relies on APG data [2].
- Anionic: Limited compatibility with cationic conditioners in 2-in-1s.
- Alkaline as supplied: Requires neutralization.
- Cost: Higher than sulfates.
- Glucoside allergy caveat: Uncommon; patch test.
What is the best application of Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate?
SLGC is the primary surfactant in ORY® high-foam, sulfate-free cleansers:
- Foaming facial cleanser: 15% SLGC blend with 5% CAPB; pH 5.5.
- Body wash: 20% with CAPB; thicken with salt.
- Sulfate-free shampoo: 20–25% with CAPB and lauryl glucoside.
- Hand wash or liquid soap: 15–20%.
- Bubble bath: 20–30%.
- Shampoo bar: With SCI or solid glucoside.
Peer-reviewed references
- Ananthapadmanabhan KP, Moore DJ, Subramanyan K, Misra M, Meyer F. Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic Therapy. 2004;17(Suppl 1):16–25.
- Fiume MM, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, et al. Safety assessment of decyl glucoside and other alkyl glucosides as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 2013;32(5 Suppl):22S–48S.
- Loranger C, Alfalah M, Ferrier Le Bouedec MC, Sasseville D. Alkyl glucosides in contact dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2019;30(1):5–13.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate (with lauryl glucoside) as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, acne, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Glucoside-based surfactants are an uncommon but documented cause of contact allergy. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
