Caprylyl/capryl glucoside on your skin: a safety profile

What is caprylyl/capryl glucoside?

The IUPAC name is 1-O-octyl-1-O-decyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (mixture).

Also known as: 1-O-octyl-1-O-decyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (mixture), C8/C10 glucoside.

IUPAC name

1-O-octyl-1-O-decyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (mixture)

CAS number

68997-76-2

Molecular formula

C8-C10H27-31O6 (mixture)

Molecular weight

320.42 g/mol

SMILES

CCCCCCCCCCOC1C(C(C(C(O1)CO)O)O)O

PubChem CID

62142

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Caprylyl/capryl glucoside.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter caprylyl/capryl glucoside

• natural cleansers
• organic products
• eco-friendly cleaning
• sensitive skin care

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Caprylyl/capryl glucoside:

• Decyl glucoside or other alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) — milder, plant-derived
  Trade-offs: Consumer preference for 'natural' label; many natural fragrance compounds are potent allergens (limonene, linalool, eugenol); 'natural' ≠ 'safe'; often more expensive than synthetic equivalents.
  Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
• Sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) — low irritation potential
  Trade-offs: Alternative surfactant; performance characteristics (foaming, emulsification, wetting) vary; biodegradability and aquatic toxicity should be assessed; formulation adjustment may be needed.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Sodium lauroyl glutamate — amino acid-based, very mild
  Trade-offs: Extremely mild (pH 5.5-6.5); biodegradable; derived from amino acids and fatty acids; premium ingredient cost; excellent consumer perception; lower foam volume than sulfate surfactants.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Cocamidopropyl betaine (amphoteric) — gentler than anionic surfactants
  Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions