Lauryl Glucoside

Lauryl glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant used in cleansers (often a few to ~10%+ in rinse-off products) and, despite being marketed as “gentle,” surfactants can disrupt the stratum corneum and sting compromised skin. Patch testing and real-world use show it can cause irritant contact dermatitis—particularly in eczema patients or with frequent cleansing—so I rate it as a moderate irritant where patch testing and barrier-supportive routines are prudent. Safety Notes: In commercial leave-on products (creams/lotions/serums), lauryl glucoside is typically present at low levels (~0.05–1%) mainly as a mild co-surfactant/solubilizer or to boost emulsification/cleansing feel without noticeable foaming. In rinse-off cleansers (facial/body washes, shampoos, micellar/cleansing waters), it is commonly used around ~1–10% active surfactant, and in high-foaming “sulfate-free” or baby/mild cleanser concentrates available to consumers it can reach ~15–30% as part of the total surfactant system. There is no specific EU/FDA maximum for lauryl glucoside in cosmetics; practical upper limits are driven by viscosity, irritation potential, and overall surfactant balance rather than regulation.