How much decyl glucoside to use in shampoo?

A typical starting range is about 10 to 30% of the shampoo as supplied, giving around 5 to 15% active surfactant. Many formulators combine it with cocamidopropyl betaine for better foam and thickness. Adjust the final pH to about 5 to 6.5.

Is decyl glucoside sulphate-free?

Yes. It is a non-ionic glucoside surfactant, not a sulphate like SLS or SLES, which is why it is used in sulphate-free shampoos and face washes. Check the rest of your formula if you want to label a product sulphate-free.

Why is my decyl glucoside cloudy or thick?

Commercial decyl glucoside is normally a cloudy, viscous liquid. In cold weather it can turn hazy or partly solid. Warm the closed container gently in warm water and stir; this doesn't harm it.

Why do I need to lower the pH after adding decyl glucoside?

As supplied it is strongly alkaline, often around pH 11 to 12, which is too high for skin and hair. Add citric acid solution drop by drop until the finished product sits around pH 5 to 6.5, checking as you go.

How do I thicken a decyl glucoside face wash?

It doesn't thicken much with salt on its own. Use xanthan gum or another polymer thickener, or combine it with cocamidopropyl betaine, after which a little salt helps. Add thickeners slowly and let the batch rest before judging.

Decyl Glucoside: Mild Surfactant Uses and Dosage

Decyl glucoside is a mild non-ionic surfactant made from glucose and a fatty alcohol, used in face washes, baby shampoos, body washes and sulphate-free cleansers. It is usually sold as a cloudy, viscous water-based solution of about half active matter, with a high pH that formulators adjust down.

Last updated 7 Nov 2026

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Specifications

Formula: C16H32O6
CAS number: 58846-77-8
Grades: Cosmetic

Products and pack sizes

Product	Grade	Pack	Price (incl. GST)	₹ per kg
Decyl Glucoside	Cosmetic	—	₹199	—

What is decyl glucoside?

Decyl glucoside is an alkyl polyglucoside (APG): a surfactant made by reacting glucose, usually from corn starch, with decyl alcohol from coconut or palm kernel oil. It cleans and foams without the harshness of many sulphate surfactants.

Main component: decyl glucoside, C16H32O6, molar mass about 320.4 g/mol
CAS number: 58846-77-8 is listed for the pure compound; commercial grades are mixtures and may carry other CAS numbers
Form as sold: typically a cloudy, yellowish, thick liquid with roughly 50% active content
pH as supplied: strongly alkaline, often around 11 to 12
Type: non-ionic, biodegradable

Grades and pack sizes at Azlok

Azlok lists Decyl Glucoside under cosmetic raw ingredients, so it is cosmetic grade material for cleansers and shampoos. The product name doesn't state the pack size or active content; check the listing and the supplier specification. See today's price per kg.

Common uses

Face and body: face washes, body washes, micellar-style cleansers and foaming hand washes.
Hair: sulphate-free and baby shampoos, often with cocamidopropyl betaine.
Home care: mild dishwash liquids and gentle surface cleaners.
Co-surfactant: added to harsher surfactants such as SLES to make the blend milder.

Its foam is fine and creamy rather than big and bubbly, so it is often blended with betaine or other surfactants for more lather.

How to use it

Supplier formulas commonly use roughly 10 to 30% of the product as supplied in shampoos and washes, which works out to about 5 to 15% active surfactant. Treat this as a typical range and follow your supplier's sheet.

Add the decyl glucoside to the water with gentle stirring; fast mixing whips up foam.
Add other surfactants and conditioning agents.
Bring the pH down with a citric acid solution, a few drops at a time, to about 5 to 6.5 for skin and hair products.
Thicken with xanthan gum, a little salt (works better when combined with betaine) or another thickener; on its own it doesn't thicken well with salt.
Add a preservative suitable for the final pH.

In cold weather the liquid can turn hazy or partly solid. Warm the closed container gently and stir before use.

Safety and storage

As supplied, it is alkaline and irritating to eyes. Wear safety glasses, and rinse eyes with plenty of water if splashed.
Gloves are sensible when handling the neat liquid.
Store tightly closed in a cool place, away from strong oxidisers; avoid freezing.
Patch test finished products, and remember they must meet BIS and CDSCO requirements if sold in India.
Keep away from children.

Choosing the right grade and pack

Check the active percentage on the specification before you compare prices; a 50% solution and a 60% solution give different amounts of real surfactant per kg. For home batches, a small pack is plenty. Shampoo and face-wash makers producing regularly use it in large amounts and usually save with bigger packs. For 25 kg and above, send a bulk inquiry.

Frequently asked questions

How much decyl glucoside to use in shampoo?: A typical starting range is about 10 to 30% of the shampoo as supplied, giving around 5 to 15% active surfactant. Many formulators combine it with cocamidopropyl betaine for better foam and thickness. Adjust the final pH to about 5 to 6.5.
Is decyl glucoside sulphate-free?: Yes. It is a non-ionic glucoside surfactant, not a sulphate like SLS or SLES, which is why it is used in sulphate-free shampoos and face washes. Check the rest of your formula if you want to label a product sulphate-free.
Why is my decyl glucoside cloudy or thick?: Commercial decyl glucoside is normally a cloudy, viscous liquid. In cold weather it can turn hazy or partly solid. Warm the closed container gently in warm water and stir; this doesn't harm it.
Why do I need to lower the pH after adding decyl glucoside?: As supplied it is strongly alkaline, often around pH 11 to 12, which is too high for skin and hair. Add citric acid solution drop by drop until the finished product sits around pH 5 to 6.5, checking as you go.
How do I thicken a decyl glucoside face wash?: It doesn't thicken much with salt on its own. Use xanthan gum or another polymer thickener, or combine it with cocamidopropyl betaine, after which a little salt helps. Add thickeners slowly and let the batch rest before judging.