ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
◐ Handmade Soap (liquid soap, syndet and shampoo bars)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line functional ingredient
Coco-glucoside is the broadest-chain member of the alkyl polyglucoside family — a sugar-based, non-ionic surfactant made from the full range of coconut fatty alcohols (C8–C16) and glucose. That mixed chain length gives it a balance the single-chain glucosides lack: more foam and cleansing than lauryl glucoside, more viscosity and softness than decyl glucoside. Alkyl polyglucosides are among the mildest, least barrier-disrupting cleansers in surfactant research [1], biodegradable, and COSMOS/Ecocert-approved; the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded they are safe as used [2]. Coco-glucoside is a mainstay of natural baby washes, sulfate-free shampoos, and foaming cleansers, and a useful thickening co-surfactant. As with all glucosides, an uncommon contact allergy is documented [3].
What is Coco-Glucoside made of?
Coco-glucoside is produced by condensing coconut-derived C8–C16 fatty alcohols with corn glucose. Points to know [2]:
- Mixed-chain alkyl polyglucoside (APG): Non-ionic; cleansing chain from coconut, sugar head from corn.
- Balanced profile: Foam and cleansing between decyl (more foam, thinner) and lauryl (creamier, thicker) glucosides.
- Supplied as ~50–55% aqueous solution: Amber, viscous; naturally alkaline (pH 11–12) — neutralize to pH 5–6.
- COSMOS-approved, biodegradable, palm-free grades available.
- Typical use: 5–20% (as supplied) as primary or co-surfactant.
What skin type is best suited for Coco-Glucoside?
Coco-glucoside is a gentle cleanser for all seven ORY® skin types:
- Sensitive: Coco-glucoside is among the milder 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.
- 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 Coco-Glucoside?
Coco-glucoside is a balanced sulfate-free shampoo surfactant:
- Sensitive scalp: Glucoside shampoos reduce scalp irritation compared with sulfates.
- Dry or damaged: Low-stripping cleansing preserves natural oils.
- Curly and coily: Sulfate-free and low-poo formulas.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Gentle cleansing prolongs color.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Mild base for antifungal or salicylic-acid shampoos.
- Oily scalp: Adequate cleansing; pair with a stronger co-surfactant for heavy oil.
- Straight, wavy, mature or thinning: Gentle daily-use shampoos.
What are the benefits of Coco-Glucoside?
Coco-glucoside’s benefits are documented in surfactant and safety science [1, 2]:
- Very mild cleansing: Minimal barrier disruption [1].
- Balanced foam and viscosity: Best all-round glucoside.
- Non-ionic compatibility: Works with all surfactant classes and cationic conditioners.
- Biodegradable, natural-origin: COSMOS-approved.
- Solubilizer: Disperses small amounts of essential oils.
- Eye-mild: Baby-wash suitable.
- Bar-friendly: Solid glucoside grades for syndet/shampoo bars.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Coco-glucoside 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 |
Facial cleansers, body washes, baby washes, micellar cleansers. |
5–20% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Sulfate-free shampoos, co-washes, 2-in-1s. |
10–25% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Natural liquid soaps and syndet/shampoo bars; not cold-process bars. |
10–30% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Makeup-removing cleansers, brush cleansers, cleansing balm-to-foam. |
2–10% |
Pros and cons of Coco-Glucoside
Pros
Cons
- Mild: [1].
- Balanced performance: Foam, viscosity, feel.
- COSMOS-approved, biodegradable: Clean-label.
- CIR-reviewed safe: [2].
- Versatile: Primary or co-surfactant.
- Alkyl-glucoside contact allergy: Uncommon; patch test [3].
- Alkaline as supplied: Neutralize.
- Amber color: Tints clear formulas slightly.
- Cost: Higher than sulfates.
- Flat lather versus sulfates: Pair with SLGC or CAPB for richer foam.
What is the best application of Coco-Glucoside?
Coco-glucoside is a primary or secondary surfactant in gentle cleansers:
- Facial cleanser: 10% coco-glucoside + 5% CAPB; pH 5.5.
- Body or baby wash: 12–15% with lauryl glucoside.
- Sulfate-free shampoo: 15–20% with SLGC and CAPB.
- Liquid soap: Primary surfactant.
- Shampoo bar: Solid glucoside with SCI.
- Cosmetics: 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 coco-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 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].
