TABLE OF CONTENTS
Origins Of Decyl Glucoside
Decyl Glucoside is a result of the mixture of glucose, which is produced from corn starch, and fatty alcohol decanol, which is extracted from coconut. Decyl means a group of univalent radicals obtained from decane by subtracting one hydrogen atom. Glucoside, on the other hand, is a kind of glycoside that is commonly found in plants all over the world and rarely in animals. It can be seen in leaves and branches of an Egyptian tree called a Desert Date. This tree grows in Middle Eastern and African countries [1]. It is known as d-glucoside decyl, bd-glucopyranoside or decyl-bd-glucopyranoside. Aklyl Plyglucosides or APG is often used as the general term for Decyl Glucoside [2].
Decyl Glucoside is a natural ingredient used in disinfectant and cleansing products such as face wash, shampoos, baby bath products, and hypoallergenic soaps. It is an ideal chemical for individuals with sensitive skin because it is produced naturally, collected from 100% renewable materials and safe to the atmosphere [3].
The primary use of this ingredient in hair and skin products is as a surfactant. Surfactants are compounds that decrease the surface tension of the products they are added in, to help them get rid of dirt and oils more efficiently. It is quickly becoming a popular alternative to other surfactants on the market because it is organic and biodegradable – a factor that most parents, especially mothers, take into significant consideration when buying products for their babies [4].
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes referred to as “non-iconic surfactant” in the ingredient list of hair and skin products, as well as cleansers and detergents [5]. In general, this type of surfactant is rarely found in bath goods because of its slow ability to create viscosity and foaming. But since it is labeled safe, gentle, and skin-friendly by most manufacturing companies, it is building up its reputation among new mothers.
The commercial production of Decyl Glucoside takes numerous, complicated steps and often in extreme conditions [6]. Its first ever recorded production dates back as far as 1893. The ingredient was produced by mixing anhydrous ethanol and glucose to create ethyl glucoside. It can also be formulated by condensing glucose polymer with decyl alcohol [7].
Today, Decyl Glucoside is widely obtained from a mixture of glucose from corn starch and decanol from coconuts. One of the main reasons why this chemical is ideal for baby soaps and body cleansers is its capability of making bath products lather and thicken quickly while still retaining their ability to moisturize and thoroughly cleanse the body. It also doesn’t make the skin dry which makes it even more vital in the mixture of hygiene goods [8].
Being a surfactant helps Decyl Glucoside to form a foam that is rich and long-lasting. It is used in anti-aging facial foaming washes and as an alternative to other harmful chemicals in skin products. It can work on its own and still work as efficiently as three other chemicals in a facial wash without decreasing its cleansing and moisturizing abilities [9][10].
Benefits Of Decyl Glucoside For Babies
Is Decyl Glucoside Safe For Baby? Yes as it does not cause irritation
Unlike other compounds and surfactants found in cosmetics, Decyl Glucoside is proven to cause lesser probabilities of inflammation and irritation [11]. The compound has also been found to boost certain antimicrobial agents. When applied to the healthy skin, there have been no adverse effects to report. In fact, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has concluded, after making a safety assessment, that Decyl Glucoside is safe, non-inflammatory, and non-irritating. The test was conducted on 19 alkyl glucosides. That is precisely why it is an ideal ingredient for skin care products.
Retains moisture
Is Decyl Glucoside Safe For Baby? – Decyl Glucoside is known to help quickly remove grimes and stains on the skin [12]. But one of its most vital characteristics is its ability to keep the moisture on the skin while cleaning it. It can decrease the surface tension of the product’s formulation, making it successful in stabilizing both water and oil properties of the product [13].
Environmentally-friendly
When chemists started creating non-ionic surfactants back in the 80’s, it was mostly made up of nonyl-phenyl ethoxylates. This chemical family was useful in its job but was environmentally toxic. Decyl Glucoside derives from organic products such as corn and coconut. The glucose from corn and the decanol from coconut, when combined, produce this environmentally-friendly chemical. And it’s because of its accessibility and natural processes that it became a favorite ingredient in making formulations for skin care products. It is one of the few toxin-free chemicals that do not produce carcinogen ethylene oxide as a byproduct of manufacturing [14].
Its other organic alternative, the alkyl glucoside, can be mixed with the glucose from wheat starch or potatoes and decanol from rapeseed oil or palm trees. Rinse-off products such as facial washes, liquid cleansers, shower gels, shampoos contain both natural byproducts. They are also mixed with the mixture of sunscreens and deodorants [15].
Potent in creating foam
Decyl Glucoside is a must-have in numerous cosmetics laboratory all over the world not only because of its mildness and cleansing properties. The organic compound is found to be potent in producing foam and lather among beauty and skin products [16]. In recent times, there have been adverse reports about foaming products stating that they are wrong for the skin. That is not the case with Decyl Glucoside. When combined with citric ingredients, it can lock in moisture and balance pH on the surface while creating a creamy, soft foam. It’s great for all skin types.
Decyl Glucoside Is Safe And Used In MADE OF Organic Baby Skin Care Products
We use Decyl Glucoside in creating our natural baby skin care because it is both a surfactant and a cleanser. The Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR) has concluded, after many tests, that this organic compound is safe and gentle for use in the mixture of cosmetic products [17]. Even the United State Environmental Protection Agency and the FDA have deemed it free from harmful side effects. It can be applied to the skin by both adults and infants without causing irritation, discomfort, or the development of certain skin diseases.
Non-irritant, non-inflammatory
Babies’ skin is fragile. That is why as much as possible, mothers use the best skin products that both protect and moisturize their little ones. While other alkyl polyglucoside can act as both cleanser and surfactant, decyl glucoside has been proven to be 100% organic [18]. Natural ingredients are less likely to cause inflammation and irritation of the skin [19].
Taking into consideration the process that this chemical undergoes, it has been proven that, when formulated correctly and organically, it does not aggravate the skin or provoke any existing skin conditions. That fact makes the organic compound more appropriate to use on babies.
Gentle on the skin
Decyl Glucoside is one of the few surfactants proven to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin. It does not contain harmful and diverse effects when compared to other surfactants. Ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, and toxin cannot be found as a byproduct of Decyl Glucoside. Its soothing properties make it an ideal ingredient in creating sprays for delicate fruits such as cherry tomatoes and berries [20]. If you are weary of the side effects of surfactants on your skin and overall health, then Decyl Glucoside is the perfect ingredient for you.
Keeps babies’ skin supple
Aside from being mild, Decyl Glucoside also aids in maintaining skin health. When used as daily baby shampoo and body wash, it will not dry out your baby’s skin. Instead, it keeps its
moisture while forming a stable and vibrant foaming action. When buying liquid body soap for your babies; choose the one with Decyl Glucoside.
May prevent the incidence of skin conditions
Decyl Glucoside helps prevent dandruff, eczema, and other skin conditions that babies can acquire in their early life [21]. If you use skin care with this organic compound on its ingredient list, your babies will less likely contract skin irritations. Anti-dandruff shampoos, dermatological lotions, prescription creams, and more also contain the chemical in their formulations [22].
Anti-allergy
It’s true that you can only obtain Decyl Glucoside from natural sources. However, peanuts are not known to produce the compound. Therefore, the mixture of this chemical in skin care products will not present any allergic reaction to adults and children with peanut allergy [23].
Safe for the environment
Surfactants are regularly discarded in various ways on land and into the water. Intended on purpose or not, these processes occur routinely. Unlike Decyl Glucoside, many surfactants cause irreversible harm to animals and trees, disrupt the natural flow of ecosystem, and even humans. Some surfactants contaminate the natural environment and further causes adverse side effects to the health of all living organisms in the area [24]. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already sent out an agreement with companies that produce or sell surfactants to reduce and effectively eliminate the improper discharge of the chemical [25].
Surfactants in some ordinary dishwashing soaps, for example, stimulates penetration of water in the soil. But this effect only lasts a few days. Most of the popular laundry detergents contain high levels of alkali and chelating agents, two environmentally harmful chemicals, which should not be deposited to soils. Some surfactants can interfere, or worse, completely disrupt the natural life cycle of aquatic organisms [26].
Decyl Glucoside is known to be safe for both babies’ skin and the natural environment. It does not contain chemicals that can do irreparable damage to land and water organisms. You can find Decyl Glucoside in skin care products such as anti-dandruff and anti-seborrheic shampoos, hypoallergenic soaps and detergents, facial washes and cleansers for sensitive skin, shaving foams, and shower gels, bubble baths for kids, baby wipes, and gentle body oils.
Why Decyl Glucoside Works For Babies
Decyl Glucoside is ideal for baby skin care because it is organic and a non-ionic surfactant. Just like coco glucoside, it originates from renewable raw materials such as plant-based alcohols and glucose [27]. Instead of drying the skin as most soaps and bath gels do, it gently moisturizes the skin. That is why you’ll find a personal care skin product for sensitive skin will contain high amounts of Decyl Glucoside.
It creates thick, long-lasting foam which babies love during baths! When mixed with other surfactants or known chemicals in skin care, it still retains its ability to develop stable foam with volume and stability. All characteristics of compounds combined with Decyl Glucoside (efficiency in cleansing, thick foam, hypoallergenic properties, etc.) are not affected [28]. It should be noted that the addition of too many essential oils can reduce foam.
Decyl Glucoside’s chemical composition does not include 1,4-dioxane or ethylene oxide making it safe for pets and babies. It also maintains healthy pH of between 3.0 and 5.0 and smoothly thickens with other non-ionic surfactants [29].
Aloe, an organic skin care ingredient, can be mixed with Decyl Glucoside without losing any of its skin-friendly properties. The compound improves the tolerance of the skin to the mixture. These research-proven characteristics are what make Decyl Glucoside highly effective in keeping your baby’s skin clean, hydrated, and healthy.
Is Decyl Glucoside Safe For Baby References:
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[13] Fact Sheet: Nonylphenols and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. (2016, November 2). Retrieved April 2018, from United States Environmental Protection Agency.
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[19] Lees, M. (2013). Clearing Concepts: A Guide to Acne Treatment. New York: Cengage Learning.
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1 comment
Decyl Glucoside is the 2017 Allergen of the Year, for contact dermatitis. I’m note sure it’s all that hypoallergenic or safe for baby. I’m allergic to this substance, and wouldn’t want to expose a baby to this, with a hopefully long life of exposure in which to get sensitized. Sometimes an irritant is better than a potentially allergenic product.