INCI: Lauryl Glucoside - Also known as: Dodecyl Glucoside, C12 Alkyl Glucoside, APG Surfactant

QUICK FACTS

What is lauryl glucoside?

Lauryl glucoside is an alkyl polyglucoside (APG) - a class of non-ionic surfactants produced by reacting a fatty alcohol (in this case lauryl alcohol, C12, derived from coconut or palm kernel oil) with glucose (derived from corn or potato starch). The result is a sugar-based surfactant whose polar head group consists of glucose units linked to a C12 fatty tail - a combination that gives it excellent emulsifying character alongside an unusually mild skin compatibility profile.

Alkyl polyglucosides as a class are distinguished by two properties that set them apart from conventional synthetic surfactants. First, they are entirely plant-derived from renewable sources - no petrochemical feedstocks are required. Second, they are biodegradable and consistently perform well in comparative mildness assessments - research across multiple published models places APG surfactants among the least irritating surfactant classes available for cosmetic use, outperforming many conventionally used alternatives on measures of barrier disruption and protein denaturation potential.

In the Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum, lauryl glucoside appears below the 1% line as part of the emulsifier system alongside myristyl glucoside and polyglyceryl-6 laurate. Its role is to support the stable emulsification of the formula's oil-phase components - including ceramides, rosehip seed oil, and caprylic/capric triglyceride - within the predominantly aqueous, high-active emulsion.

What does it do for skin?

Lauryl glucoside's contribution to skin is primarily structural and formulation-enabling: it is the plant-derived surfactant that holds the Hydra-Serum's oil and water phases together in a stable, homogeneous emulsion. In a formula delivering 40% actives across both oil-soluble components (ceramides, rosehip seed oil) and water-soluble actives (niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, the NMF complex), maintaining stable emulsification is what makes the formula's full active payload accessible at the skin interface with every application.

Its non-ionic character is relevant to the Hydra-Serum's compatibility across all skin types. Ionic surfactants - whether anionic or cationic - can interact with charged skin proteins and barrier lipids in ways that may compromise barrier integrity over repeated use. Non-ionic surfactants like lauryl glucoside carry no charge and are studied in connection with minimal interaction with the skin's protein and lipid environment, making them well-suited to a formula whose core purpose is barrier support rather than barrier disruption.

A practical benefit of its glucose-based head group is mild conditioning character at the skin surface - the sugar-surfactant structure leaves a slightly more comfortable skin feel than many conventional synthetic emulsifiers, contributing to the smooth application feel of the Hydra-Serum without any residue.

FOUND IN

In 1 Formula

Lauryl glucoside is specific to the Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum, where it forms part of the plant-derived non-ionic emulsifier system that enables stable delivery of the formula's complete oil and water phase active payload.

Nourishment - All Skin Types

Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum Lauryl Glucoside - 1.0 oz / 30 ml

The Hydra-Serum uses lauryl glucoside alongside myristyl glucoside and polyglyceryl-6 laurate as a plant-derived, non-ionic emulsifier system - enabling the stable co-delivery of 3% Matrikynes® peptides, 5% niacinamide, 3% ceramides, rosehip seed oil, and the full NMF complex in a 40%-active emulsion for all skin types.

WORKS TOGETHER WITH

Co-Emulsifier Myristyl Glucoside

INCI: Myristyl Glucoside.

A C14 alkyl glucoside present alongside lauryl glucoside in the Hydra-Serum as the second member of the APG emulsifier pair. Synergy Note: Lauryl glucoside (C12) and myristyl glucoside (C14) are paired APG emulsifiers with complementary chain lengths - together they provide broader emulsification coverage across different molecular weight actives than either single-chain surfactant achieves alone.

Co-Emulsifier Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate

INCI: Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate.

A polyglycerol ester emulsifier present alongside lauryl glucoside in the Hydra-Serum, contributing additional oil-in-water emulsification character. Synergy Note: Lauryl glucoside and polyglyceryl-6 laurate are both mild, plant-derived non-ionic emulsifiers with complementary HLB values - their co-presence creates a more robust emulsion system than a single emulsifier alone.

Barrier Lipid Ceramide NP + Ceramide AP

INCI: Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP.

At 3% combined in the Hydra-Serum as the primary barrier lipid complex. Synergy Note: Lauryl glucoside enables the stable emulsification of the ceramide complex within the Hydra-Serum's aqueous base - without effective emulsification, the oil-phase ceramides would not distribute evenly throughout the formula or reach the skin consistently.

ECM Peptide Complex Matrikynes® Bone Peptides

INCI: Hydrolyzed Cow Bone Extract.

At 3% in all four formulas, associated with improvements in the appearance of skin density and aging signs. Synergy Note: Lauryl glucoside's role in maintaining Hydra-Serum emulsion stability ensures that Matrikynes® peptides are consistently delivered at their full concentration - emulsifier performance and active delivery are directly linked.