Surfactant

Coco-Glucoside

Gentle non-ionic surfactant from coconut oil and plant-derived glucose — a favorite of eco and natural beauty. Cleanses gently without disrupting the skin microbiome and is a standard for organic and certified natural cosmetics ECOCERT.

Natural surfactantcoconut + glucoseECOCERTmicrobiome-friendly

✓ Safe

Comedogenic Rating

0/5

Irritation Potential

0/5

What is it?

Coco-Glucoside — a mixture of alkyl glucosides: fatty alcohols C8–C16 (from coconut oil) + glucose (from wheat, corn, or tapioca). Non-ionic surfactant. Molecular weight ~400–550 Da (mixture). Colorless or slightly yellow liquid. 100% plant-based and renewable origin. ECOCERT and COSMOS certified. Easily biodegradable. Does not contain EO groups (no ethylene oxide) — cleaner profile than most PEG esters. HLB ~12–14. Similar to Lauryl Glucoside (C12) and Decyl Glucoside (C10), but with a broader carbon range → better balance of foaming and mildness.

Organic and natural shampoos and shower gels, ECOCERT-certified facial cleansers, plant-derived baby products, toothpaste, and oral care products.

Key Benefits

✦

Gentle cleansing from plant raw materials — ECO standard

Coco-Glucoside — de facto standard for ECOCERT/COSMOS certified cleansers: meets the strictest requirements for naturalness and biodegradability. 100% plant-derived, does not require ethylene oxide in production. Cleans effectively but gently: removes sebum and impurities without stripping the skin's protective lipids. Ideal for brands positioned in the clean/natural/organic segment.

◈

Microbiome-friendly — does not disrupt the skin's protective barrier

Unlike SLS and SLES (denature proteins, alter skin pH), Coco-Glucoside maintains a neutral or slightly acidic pH and does not disrupt microbial balance. Studies show: after washing with glucoside-based cleansers, the skin microbiome recovers faster. This is especially valuable for people with atopic dermatitis or rosacea, where maintaining the microbiome is critically important.

✧

Good foam and feel — myths about "natural = not foamy"

Common myth: natural surfactants do not foam. Coco-Glucoside disproves this: at pH 5–7 and in combination with Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate or SLES, it produces a creamy, stable foam — comparable to synthetic analogs. Even on its own at 8–15%: the foam is pleasant, though less abundant than in SLES. The feel on the skin afterwards — soft and fresh, without a tight sensation.

Suitable for

sensitive and atopic skineco and natural brandsdaily cleansing

Main Actions

✓ natural non-ionic cleansing✓ microbiome-friendly✓ ECOCERT-compatible surfactant

Coco-Glucoside vs Lauryl Glucoside vs Decyl Glucoside

All three are alkyl glucosides, plant-derived. The difference is in the carbon chain: Decyl Glucoside (C10) — the mildest, least foaming. Lauryl Glucoside (C12) — more foaming. Coco-Glucoside (C8–C16 mixture) — a balance between them, the most versatile. For shampoos: Coco or Lauryl. For baby products and sensitive facial skin: Decyl Glucoside. In practice: often combine 2–3 glucosides for optimal balance.

CategorySurfactants

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