Decyl glucoside
A gentle surfactant made from glucose and a fatty alcohol. Plant feedstock, synthetic process: the honest description is "plant-derived", not "natural".
- INCI name
- Decyl Glucoside
- Origin
- Plant-derived
- Role
- Mild sulfate-free cleanser
- Best for
- Sensitive or dry scalps · Low-poo and co-wash routines · Curly hair that frizzes after sulfate shampoos
What it does
Decyl glucoside belongs to the alkyl polyglucoside family: a sugar head and a fatty tail joined in a reactor. It cleans by surrounding oil and dirt so water can rinse them away, but with less stripping of the hair's own lipids than sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate.
Milder also means less foam and slower cleansing of heavy product build-up, so it is sometimes paired with a second mild surfactant. It is biodegradable and generally well tolerated on the scalp.
How we use it
The primary cleanser in our sulfate-free shampoo bases.
Helps with
Often paired with
- Argan oilEmollient oil for slip and shine
- Aloe veraLightweight humectant and scalp soother
- Jojoba oilSebum-like liquid wax
Sources
- Hair cosmetics: an overview (Gavazzoni Dias, 2015) · International Journal of Trichology
Educational only, not medical advice. Persistent scalp irritation, sudden hair loss or unexplained breakage warrant a visit to a dermatologist. Written by Cosmixxology R&D.