Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is a natural liquid surfactant made from vegetable derived fatty acids and glucose. I often refer to it as C/C Glucoside since it’s shorter!

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

A viscous, pale yellow liquid.

up to 40%

Characteristically soapy/detergent-y.

60%

When I first purchased Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside from Voyageur Soap and Candle Co. the pH was listed as 5.5–6, but most other suppliers list a higher pH, and as of 2024 the pH on the Voyageur Soap and Candle Co. website is 11.5–12.5.

Non-ionic

Water

It is gentle and contributes great lather to body washes, hand washes, face washes, and anything else liquidy that we want to add bubbles to!

It’s also a good solubilizer—much better than many other surfactants. This means we can often (but not always—test and see!) incorporate essential and fragrance oils into products like hand washes without the need for another solubilizer, like Polysorbate 20.

If you’re only going to buy one liquid, non-ionic surfactant, I’d recommend this one.

Good lather + solubilizing.

Harder to find than coco glucoside.

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is quite unique as it is often used as both a surfactant and a solubilizer, so you’ll need to replace both functions.

The alternative I typically suggest for the cleansing/lathering is coco glucoside or Decyl Glucoside.

To replace the solubilizing abilities, try polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, or Poly Suga®Mulse D9 to solubilize whatever the Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside was solubilizing.

Since it is liquid it can be used in cold-processed formulatinos, but it can be heated in the heated water phase if needed. Avoid vigorous stirring/agitation so you don’t work up too much lather.

Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside should last for two years.

250mL (8fl oz)

Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.