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Lauryl Glucoside

What Lauryl Glucoside is & what it does

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses gently and produces a soft foam. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

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

Lauryl Glucoside is a mild, plant-derived surfactant. In a sunscreen it helps cleanse gently, can produce a soft foam, and acts as an emulsifier that keeps the oily and watery parts of the formula evenly mixed. It is gentle enough to be a good fit for sensitive skin.

Is Lauryl Glucoside safe?

Yes, it is widely regarded as one of the gentler surfactants. It is made from plant sugars and fatty alcohols, and it is mild enough that it is commonly used in products aimed at sensitive skin and babies. It is well tolerated and a low-irritation choice at the levels used in cosmetics.

Does Lauryl Glucoside clog pores?

Generally no. It is not flagged as comedogenic in our data, and as a water-loving surfactant it is the opposite of a heavy pore-clogging oil. It is used in small amounts to cleanse and emulsify, so it is very unlikely to cause breakouts.

Is Lauryl Glucoside natural?

Largely, yes. It is made by combining sugars from sources like corn with fatty alcohols from coconut or palm, so it is plant-derived. It is a popular choice in natural and eco-leaning formulas because of its mild, biodegradable nature, though it is still processed in a lab to make the finished surfactant.

Is Lauryl Glucoside a sulfate?

No. Lauryl Glucoside is a sugar-based (glucoside) surfactant, not a sulfate. It is often chosen specifically as a gentler alternative to harsher sulfate cleansers, since it cleanses without stripping the skin as aggressively. People looking to avoid sulfates can use it comfortably.

Sunscreens with Lauryl Glucoside

We rate 139 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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