PURPOSE: To obtain a new amino-sugar derivative having biodegradability, low in irritability, and useful as a surfactant, etc., for cosmetics, perfumes, etc., by acylating an amino-sugar in an alcoholic solvent, the amino-sugar being obtained from a monosaccharide or oligosaccharide and a primary amino compound.

CONSTITUTION: A new amino-sugar derivative (e.g. N-acetyloctylamine glucoside) of formula I (R1 is 6-22C alkyl, alkenyl, alkylphenyl; R2 is 1-4C alkyl, 2-4C alkenyl; n is an integer of 0-4) useful as a surfactant used as an additive for cosmetics, perfumes, etc., because of being good in biodegradability and low in irritability. The amino-sugar derivative is obtained by reacting a monosaccharide such as glucose, galactose or mannose or an oligosaccharide such as maltose or maltotriose with a primary amine and subsequently acylating the prepared saccharide amine of formula II with an alcoholic solvent.