Alkyl glucoside ingredients are formed by reacting an alcohol or mixtures of alcohols (that vary by carbon chain length) with a cyclic form of the sugar, glucose or glucose polymers. For example Decyl Glucoside is formed by reacting a 10 carbon chain alcohol, decyl alcohol, with a cyclic form of glucose. Other alkyl glucoside ingredients that may be used in cosmetics include Arachidyl Glucoside, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Ethyl Glucoside and Lauryl Glucoside.

Decyl Glucoside and the other alkyl glucoside ingredients may be used in baby products, bath products, cleansing products, skin care products, eye makeup and hair care products including hair dyes and colors.

In cosmetics and personal care products, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside and Coco-Glucoside are reported to function as surfactants – cleansing agents. C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside and Cetearyl Glucoside are reported to function as surfactants – emulsifying agents, while Ethyl Glucoside is reported to function as a skin-conditioning agent – humectant.

Alkyl glucosides consist of alkyl groups bound to glucose in the D-glycopyranoside form. The glucose portion of the compound may consist of mono-, di-, tri-, oligo- or polysaccharides. For example, Decyl Glucoside with a degree of polymerization of 1.6 is a mixture of decyl monosaccharide (glucopyranoside) and decyl disaccharide (also called maltopyranoside). These ingredients are generally sold as aqueous solutions containing 50-65% of the ingredient.