Analysis of Decyl Glucoside in Seventh Generation Dish Soap

Decyl Glucoside is a mild surfactant commonly used in skin and hair care products, as well as in household cleaners like dish soaps, including Seventh Generation Dish Soap. It is derived from the sugar glucose found in cornstarch and fatty alcohol decanol, which is derived from coconut. In terms of nutritional value, it has none. It is not a food or a food additive. It is a substance used for cleaning purposes and is not intended for consumption. Hence, it doesn't make sense to give it a nutritional score because it's completely irrelevant. For health implications, Decyl Glucoside is considered safe and gentle to the skin. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, a group responsible for evaluating the safety of skincare and cosmetic ingredients, has affirmed the safety of decyl glucoside. While it may not offer any health benefits, it also does not pose major health risks. However, like all ingredients, there are rare instances when someone may have an allergic reaction to it, leading to symptoms like skin irritation or rash. In the context of dish soap, Decyl Glucoside’s primary function is to assist in the removal of dirt and oils and the suspension of soil in water, making it easier for them to be washed away. While dish soap isn't meant to be ingested, sometimes trace amounts might remain on dishes after washing. The fact that Decyl Glucoside is plant-derived and biodegradable makes it a safer choice for dish soap ingredients, posing minimal impact on both human health and the environment when compared to other harsh detergent chemicals. Thus, while Decyl Glucoside has no nutritional value, it is generally safe to use in dish soaps and poses minimal health risks.