• Derived from: coconut
  • Pronunciation: (\ˈde-səl\ \ˈglü-kə-ˌsīd\)
  • Type: Naturally-derived
  • Other names: alkyl polyglucoside

What Is Decyl glucoside?

Decyl glucoside, sometimes called alkyl polyglucoside, is a cloudy liquid derived from palm kernel oils, corn sugars or coconut.[1] It is a type of alkyl glucoside, which is formed by mixing alcohols and sugar or glucose.[2,3]

What Does Decyl glucoside Do in Our products?

Decyl glucoside is often used as a surfactant.[4] It can be found in hundreds of personal care products, including shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, hand soap, bubble bath, makeup remover, and a variety of other products.[5]

Why Puracy Uses Decyl glucoside

We use decyl glucoside as a surfactant and cleanser. The Cosmetics Ingredient Review has deemed the ingredient safe for use in cosmetic products, and the EPA has also deemed aggregate exposure unharmful.[8,9] Whole Foods has deemed the ingredient acceptable in its body care quality standards.[10] Also, research shows the ingredient is often not a skin irritant.[11,12]

How Decyl glucoside Is Made

Commercial production of decyl glucoside and other alkyl polyglucosides takes several steps through Fischer glycosylation reactions in extreme conditions.[6] Alkyl glucoside production first began in 1893 by reacting glucose with anhydrous ethanol to produce ethyl glucoside. It is the product of condensing decyl alcohol with a glucose polymer.[7]

Sources

[1] Personal Care Council
[2] Cosmeticsinfo.org
[3] Cosmeticsinfo.org
[4] Environmental Working Group
[5] Environmental Working Group
[6] Rather, M., Mishra, S. "B-Glycosidases: An alternative enzyme based method for sythesis of alkyl-glycosides." Sustainable Chemical Processes (2013) 1:7
[7] Ash, M., Ash, I. Handbook of Green Chemicals (2004) Synapse Info Resources
[8] Personal Care Council
[9] Environmental Protection Agency
[10] Whole Foods Market
[11] Personal Care Council
[12] Mehling, A., Kleber M., and Hensen, H. “Comparative studies on the ocular and dermal irritation potential of surfactants.” Food Chemical Toxicology 2007;45(5):747-758

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