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Lauryl Glucoside
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
◐ Handmade Soap (limited: liquid soap, syndet and shampoo bars)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line functional ingredient
Lauryl glucoside is the 12-carbon sibling of decyl glucoside — a sugar-based, non-ionic surfactant from coconut lauryl alcohol and glucose that trades a little foam for more viscosity, richer skin feel, and even greater mildness. Alkyl polyglucosides are among the least barrier-disrupting cleansers in surfactant research [1], are biodegradable and COSMOS/Ecocert-approved, and are reviewed as safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel [2]. Lauryl glucoside is the natural formulator’s thickening and conditioning glucoside: it builds body in sulfate-free shampoos and body washes, improves after-feel, and is a preferred primary surfactant in solid shampoo and syndet bars. As with all glucosides, an uncommon contact allergy is documented [3].
What is Lauryl Glucoside made of?
Lauryl glucoside is produced by condensing lauryl (C12–C16) alcohol from coconut or palm-kernel oil with corn glucose. Points to know [2]:
- Alkyl polyglucoside (APG), longer chain than decyl glucoside: Milder, more viscous, creamier foam.
- Non-ionic: Compatible with all surfactant classes and cationics.
- Supplied as ~50% aqueous paste: Off-white; naturally alkaline (pH 11–12) — neutralize to pH 5–6.
- COSMOS-approved, biodegradable, palm-free grades available.
What skin type is best suited for Lauryl Glucoside?
Lauryl glucoside is an extremely mild cleanser for all seven ORY® skin types:
- Sensitive: Lauryl glucoside 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: Effective cleansing without over-drying; combine with a foam booster for richer lather.
- 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 Lauryl Glucoside?
Lauryl glucoside gives sulfate-free shampoos body and softness:
- Sensitive scalp: Glucoside 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 Lauryl Glucoside?
Lauryl glucoside’s benefits are documented in surfactant and safety science [1, 2]:
- Extremely mild: Minimal barrier disruption [1].
- Viscosity building: Thickens glucoside and sulfate-free systems that are otherwise thin.
- Creamy, dense foam: Smaller bubbles than decyl glucoside.
- Conditioning after-feel: Soft skin and hair after rinsing.
- Non-ionic compatibility: Works with cationic conditioners in 2-in-1 formulas.
- Biodegradable, natural-origin: COSMOS-approved.
- Solid-bar suitability: Good primary surfactant for syndet and shampoo bars.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Lauryl glucoside serves cleansers, shampoos, liquid soaps, and solid syndet/shampoo bars; not cold-process soap.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Creamy facial cleansers, body washes, baby washes, cleansing milks. |
5–20% (as supplied) |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Sulfate-free shampoos, 2-in-1s, co-washes, solid shampoo bars. |
10–25% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Not in cold-process soap; primary surfactant in natural liquid soaps and syndet/shampoo bars. |
10–30% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Creamy makeup-removing cleansers, brush cleansers. |
2–10% |
Pros and cons of Lauryl Glucoside
Pros
Cons
- Mildest glucoside: [1].
- Thickens naturally: Reduces need for gums.
- Natural, COSMOS-approved, biodegradable: Clean-label.
- CIR-reviewed safe: [2].
- Bar-friendly: Solid formulations.
- Less foam than decyl glucoside: Pair with decyl glucoside or CAPB.
- Alkyl-glucoside contact allergy: Uncommon; patch test [3].
- Alkaline as supplied: Requires neutralization.
- Paste form: Needs warming to handle.
- Cost: Higher than sulfates.
What is the best application of Lauryl Glucoside?
Lauryl glucoside is a primary or thickening surfactant in gentle cleansers:
- Creamy facial cleanser: 8% lauryl glucoside with 5% decyl glucoside and 3% CAPB; pH 5.5.
- Body wash: 10–15% with CAPB.
- Baby wash: 10% with decyl glucoside.
- Sulfate-free shampoo: 10–15% with decyl glucoside and CAPB.
- Shampoo bar: 20–30% with SCI or solid glucoside.
- Cosmetics: Creamy makeup remover.
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 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, dermatitis, 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. Alkyl glucosides are an uncommon but recognized cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and any cleanser 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].
