Difference Between Lauryl Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside

Both Lauryl Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside are gentle, non-ionic surfactants derived from natural sources like coconut or palm oil and glucose from corn. They are often used as alternatives to harsher surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and are suitable for sensitive skin.

While they share many similarities, the main differences lie in their chemical structure, specifically the length of their carbon chains, which affects their properties:

• Carbon Chain Length:
  • Decyl Glucoside has a shorter carbon chain (C8-C10).
  • Lauryl Glucoside has a longer carbon chain (C12-C14).
• Water Solubility:
  • Decyl Glucoside is generally easier to dissolve in water.
  • Lauryl Glucoside is more difficult to dissolve in water due to its longer chain.
• Cleaning Performance:
  • Lauryl Glucoside is considered to have better cleaning performance than Decyl Glucoside.

Coco Glucoside (C8-C14) is also available and is positioned between Lauryl Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside, offering easier water solubility than Lauryl Glucoside while maintaining good cleaning performance.

How to Use Them

Both Lauryl Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside are commonly used in rinse-off products such as:

• Shampoos
• Liquid soaps
• Facial cleansers

They act as gentle detergents. However, they have a high pH (around 11.5), so it is crucial to adjust the pH of the final formulation to a skin-friendly range (ideally 5-6.5) using acids like Citric Acid or Lactic Acid. Failure to adjust the pH can cause skin irritation.

They are viscous liquids and may become cloudy or precipitate, especially in cold temperatures. Warming them gently to 50-60°C will liquefy them for easier mixing.

Neither Lauryl Glucoside nor Decyl Glucoside provides significant foam on their own. They are often used in combination with other surfactants that boost foam and lather. They also do not thicken formulas well on their own.

Thickening Formulas

To thicken formulas using Lauryl Glucoside or Decyl Glucoside, you can use various thickeners:

• SugarThick™ (provides clear formula)
• ClearClean™ (results in cloudy formula)
• Xanthan Gum (provides clear formula)
• EasyThick™ (provides clear formula)
• Mild-Wash™ and/or Coco-Foam™ together with Flora Foam™ (recommended for clear formula, better bubbles, and long-lasting lather)

Usage Rate: The recommended usage rate for both is typically 5-25%, with 5% suggested for sensitive skin.