Pentyl Rhamnoside is a mild non-ionic sugar surfactant made from rhamnose (a natural sugar) and pentyl alcohol. Sugar-based surfactants are known for their exceptional mildness and biodegradability. It is used in gentle cleansers, baby products, and micellar waters where low irritation is essential.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Ultra-mild — suitable for sensitive and baby skin
+ Sugar-based — readily biodegradable
+ Good foam quality for a mild surfactant
+ Non-ionic — compatible with all surfactant types
Pros
+ Exceptionally mild and gentle
+ Biodegradable and environmentally friendly
+ Good for natural/organic formulations
+ Non-irritating to eyes (baby shampoo safe)
Cons
− More expensive than conventional surfactants
− Rinse-off only — not for leave-on
− Lower foam volume than SLES/SLS (but better mildness)
− Limited availability — specialty ingredient
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Eye, Body
Product Type
Rinse-Off
Source
Semi-synthetic
Natural Level
Semi-synthetic
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5 (very low)
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
EWG Score
1/10
Regional Regulatory Limits
Region
Leave-on %
Rinse-off %
Status
EU (CosIng)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
Japan (MHLW)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
ASEAN
No limit
No limit
Allowed
China (NMPA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
Typical Usage % by Product Type
Product Type
Typical %
Baby shampoo
3 - 10%
Micellar water
1 - 5%
Gentle facial cleanser
3 - 8%
References
EU CosIng Database — Listed as surfactant/cleansing.
SpecialChem — Sugar surfactant (alkyl polyglucoside) family overview
PubMed — Mild surfactants in personal care. PMID: 15103930