Rate My SPF

Decyl Glucoside

What Decyl Glucoside is & what it does

A gentle, sugar-derived surfactant that cleanses and foams mildly, suiting sensitive and baby-care formulas. It is biodegradable and low-irritation.

What is Decyl Glucoside and what does it do in sunscreen?

Decyl Glucoside is a mild, sugar-derived surfactant. In cleansing-style or rinse-off formulas it lifts away dirt and creates a gentle foam, and in other products it can help blend ingredients. Because it is so low in irritation, it is a favorite for sensitive and baby-care formulas.

Is Decyl Glucoside safe?

Yes. Decyl Glucoside is a gentle surfactant widely chosen for products aimed at delicate and baby skin, and it is not flagged as an allergen in our data. It is also biodegradable, which is part of why it has become a popular mild alternative to harsher cleansing agents.

Does Decyl Glucoside clog pores?

Generally no. It is a lightweight, water-friendly surfactant rather than a pore-blocking oil or wax, and it is not flagged as comedogenic. As a mild cleanser-type ingredient it is an unlikely cause of clogged pores.

Is Decyl Glucoside natural?

It is plant-derived but processed. Decyl Glucoside is made by combining sugar (glucose) with a fatty alcohol from sources like coconut or corn, so it comes from natural raw materials even though the finished surfactant is created in a lab. That plant origin makes it generally suitable for vegan and natural-leaning formulas.

Is Decyl Glucoside a preservative?

No. Decyl Glucoside is a surfactant used to cleanse and foam gently, not a preservative, and it does not stop microbes from growing. Preserving a formula is handled by dedicated ingredients like phenoxyethanol or ethylhexylglycerin.

Sunscreens with Decyl Glucoside

We rate 1001 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

← All ingredients