Coco Glucoside (Sulfate-Free Surfactant)

Description

‎Coco Glucoside is a mild, non-ionic, biodegradable sulfate-free surfactant that is naturally derived from coconut oil and sugar (glucose). ‎It’s commonly used in natural and sulfate-free formulations due to its gentle cleansing ability, excellent foaming performance, and compatibility with all skin types, including sensitive and baby skin. ‎This versatile ingredient is ideal for formulators creating eco-conscious personal care products. It works beautifully in shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, and liquid soaps.
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‎Naturally, Coco Glucoside is derived from fatty alcohol from coconut oil and combining it with plant-derived glucose. Sometimes, synthetically-derived fatty alcohol is used. It is also synthetically produced by combining glucose with either a naturally-derived fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil or with a synthetic fatty alcohol.
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‎INCI Name: Coco-Glucoside

‎Other Names: Natural surfactant, Alkyl polyglucoside

‎Origin: Plant-derived (from coconut oil and sugar)

Ingredient Type: Surfactant, Detergent

‎Ingredient Function: Foaming agent, cleansing agent

‎Active Surfactant Matter (ASM): 50-60% active detergent.

‎Appearance: ‎Clear to light yellow; viscous liquid with a mild, characteristic odor.

‎Solubility: Water-soluble

‎Shelf Life: ‎24 months when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.

‎Storage & Handling: ‎Keep container tightly closed, and store at room temperature, away from excessive heat and freezing.

‎Applications:

• ‎Sulfate-free shampoos
• ‎Baby care products
• ‎Facial cleansers
• ‎Body washes and shower gels
• ‎Liquid soaps
• ‎Micellar waters
• ‎Makeup removers

 

Coco Glucoside ‎Benefits & Features

• ‎Mild and non-irritating: Suitable for sensitive skin and baby formulations
• ‎Biodegradable & eco-friendly: Great for green and natural formulations
• ‎Excellent foaming: Enhances foam stability and quality when used with other surfactants
• ‎Ingredient pH: 11.5-12.5 (this is the pH that that Raw Coco Glucoside is typically sold at, which keeps it self-preserving)
• ‎pH Stability: Coco Glucoside is stable across a wide pH range, generally considered to be between pH 4.0 and 12.0 or 11.5.
• ‎Emollient-like feel: Products containing Coco Glucoside leaves the skin soft and conditioned
• Compatibility: Compatible with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants

 

‎Usage & Formulation Guidelines

‎Recommended Usage Rate: 2% – 30%

‎Incorporation Phase: Aqueous phase

What Phase to ‎add into Formulation: Incorporate Coco Glucoside either at the cool down phase or heated water phase/ heat phase;

‎Processing Temperature: Ideally below 40°C (Coco Glucoside can can tolerate up to 60°C if necessary);

‎Ideal pH Range: 3.5 to 10.5

‎Compatibility: Coco Glucoside is compatible with other non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants.

‎Caution: ‎For external use only. Not for consumption. Keep out of reach of children. Always conduct a patch test before full use.

Versatility – When to Use Coco Glucoside as Primary or Co-Surfactant:

• Can acts as a Co-Surfactant: Coco Glucoside can be combined with other surfactants to boost foam, improve cleansing performance and minimize irritation to skin. When combined with other surfactants, Coco Glucoside helps reduce the harshness of those surfactants, boosts lather/ foam, and helps retain moisture and oils on the skin to give a conditioning-like after-feel;
• Can be used as the primary, main cleansing agent: Coco Glucoside can be used alone in sensitive skin products and baby products for its mildness.

 

‎Extra Formulation Tips (Coco Glucoside):

‎Tip #1:  (When to Use Additional Thickeners Formulating with Coco Glucoside):
‎Coco Glucoside can thicken slightly when used at higher concentrations.  Formulations with lower concentrations of Coco Glucoside will have a thinner, more watery consistency, which is suitable for products like facial mists.  Conversely, using more concentrations of Coco Glucoside in a formulation will lead to a slightly thicker product
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‎Although Coco Glucoside offers some thickening capabilities, it will not produce a very thick product.  ‎However, where a significantly thicker consistency is required such as for products like body washes, Coco Glucoside is often paired with thickeners (like Xanthan Gum or other gums) or other glucosides (such as Decyl Glucoside) for desired texture and stability.
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‎Generally, the thickening ingredients that pair well with Coco Glucoside include: xanthan gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), salts of polymers, and anionic surfactants.

 

Tip #2: Formulate at Lower pH: Although stable over a wide pH range, at very low pH values, Coco Glucoside can hydrolyze and break down into its sugar and fatty alcohol components, thereby reducing its effectiveness. ‎Coco Glucoside is often formulated at a lower, more skin-friendly, milder pH (typically 5.0-6.5 or 7.0) to avoid skin irritation.

 

‎Tip #3: How to Resolve Cloudiness

Coco Glucoside may appear cloudy due to its naturally high pH or due to low temperature exposure. These can be resolved by either gentle warming or by adjusting the pH, depending on the cause of cloudiness

• Cloudiness due to pH:
  ‎Cloudy due to pH: Coco-glucoside typically becomes cloudy due to its naturally high alkaline pH (around 11-12). The cloudy appearance is a normal characteristic of coco-glucoside and does not indicate a problem with the product.
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  ‎This cloudiness usually disappears when the formulation’s pH is adjusted to a more neutral or acidic range (i.e. below 7, often to the 5-6.5 range or between 3.0 and 5.0).

 

• Cloudiness due to Low Temperature Exposure
  ‎Coco-glucoside can crystallize or become more viscous at low temperatures (below 60°F or 18°C), which may also cause it to appear as cloudiness.  ‎
  ‎If low temperature is the cause of cloudiness of your Coco Glucoside, by gently warming the product, it may return to a clear liquid form.

 

Coco Glucoside vs Decyl Glucoside

• ‎Cleansing Power: Coco Glucoside has better cleansing and foaming properties, while Decyl Glucoside is gentler and often used as a secondary surfactant
• Viscosity: Coco Glucoside adds more viscosity to a product.
• Foam: Coco Glucoside produces less foam than Decyl Glucoside but its foam lasts longer (Decyl Glucoside produces a thicker foam that disappears quickly).

‎In conclusion, each surfactant may be preferred to the other for different reasons, depending on the type of product you want to formulate. In some cases, a blend of surfactants may deliver the optimal result than using only one surfactant.

Your formulation goals for the desired final product will ultimately determine whether you choose to formulate with Coco Gucoside or its alternatives.
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