C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside

TL;DR. This ingredient is a mild nonionic surfactant used for cleansing, foam support, and solubilizing oily residues in rinse-off products. It also helps reduce the harsh feel of stronger anionic surfactant systems.

What does C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a mild nonionic surfactant used for cleansing, foam support, and solubilizing oily residues in rinse-off products. It also helps reduce the harsh feel of stronger anionic surfactant systems.

Is C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well accepted because it has low allergen concern, strong biodegradability, and no major restricted-list friction. Like most surfactants, it can cause eye or skin stinging at higher use levels or in poorly balanced formulas.

Is C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside sustainable?

This material is typically made from plant-derived sugar and fatty alcohols, often sourced from coconut, palm kernel, or palm supply chains. It is readily biodegradable, with the main sustainability question being traceability and certification of the fatty alcohol feedstock.

Is C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside COSMOS-approved?

It is generally permitted in COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic formulas when produced from compliant renewable feedstocks and approved processing routes. Its profile fits Green Chemistry well because it uses renewable inputs, has good biodegradability, and performs effectively in water-based systems.

How does C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside work chemically?

The molecule is a nonionic surfactant built from hydrophilic sugar head groups linked to C10-C16 hydrophobic it chains, usually as a distribution of chain lengths and sugar-unit numbers rather than a single pure compound. Typical use is about 1-10% active matter in cleansers, and it is broadly stable across common cosmetic pH ranges, though very acidic conditions and heat can increase glycosidic bond hydrolysis.

Last updated 2026-05-13