Anisha Riggs
Laureth is a compound used in cosmetics and personal care products. It is derived from lauryl alcohol and can be used in a variety of products, including bath, eye, facial, hair, cleansing, and sunscreen products. Laureth has different types, such as Laureth-4, Laureth-23, and Laureth-7, each with its own specific applications. While Laureth is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics, some concerns have been raised about the presence of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of its production process, which may cause skin irritation. However, it is important to note that Laureth-7 is specifically mentioned for its use in perfumes and fragrance applications, indicating that certain types of Laureth may be considered fragrances.
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What You'll Learn
- Laureth-23 is a solubilizing, dispersing and wetting agent used in perfumes and fragrances
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant found in many personal care products
- The safety of Laureth ingredients has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
- The CIR Expert Panel determined that Laureth ingredients could be reviewed with other alkyl PEG ether compounds
- Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 are polyoxyethers of lauryl alcohol
Laureth-23 is a solubilizing, dispersing and wetting agent used in perfumes and fragrances
Laureth ingredients are polyoxyethers of lauryl alcohol. The number in the name, for instance, 23 in Laureth-23, indicates the average number of units of ethylene oxide in the molecule. Laureth-23 is a non-ionic surfactant with excellent washing, emulsifying, dispersing, wetting, and solubilizing functions. It is often selected as a raw material for mild detergents, shampoos, bath lotions, cleansing milk, and cosmetics due to its low irritant properties.
Laureth-23 is a solubilizing, dispersing, and wetting agent used in perfumes and fragrances. It is a clear, colourless, water-soluble substance of synthetic origin. It is derived from reacting ethylene oxide with lauryl alcohol. As the numerical value of Laureth increases, the viscosity of the ingredient increases until they become white, waxy solids.
The safety of Laureth-23 has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Laureth-23 was safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration. The CIR Expert Panel also reviewed safety test data on closely related Laureths and other ethoxylated lauryl alcohol compounds that are in consumer products but not in cosmetics and personal care products. All developmental toxicity, multiple-generation, fertility, and mutagenicity data were negative for these compounds.
Laureth-23 is used in many different cleansers and body washes, where it functions as a surfactant – a cleansing agent and a solubilizing agent. Surfactants lower the surface tension between two substances, such as two liquids or a liquid and a solid. A surfactant molecule contains one end that is hydrophilic (attracted to water) and one end that is lipophilic (attracted to oil), allowing it to attract and suspend dirt, oils, and other impurities.
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Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant found in many personal care products
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant commonly found in personal care products. It is an anionic detergent derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is a milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which has similar chemical properties but is known to be more irritating to the skin.
SLES is often used in soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste due to its excellent foaming abilities. It functions as a cleansing and emulsifying agent, helping to blend ingredients that do not naturally mix, such as oil and water. This property is especially useful in household cleaning products, where it can effectively remove grease and grime.
In addition to its use in personal care and cleaning products, SLES is also used in herbicides. Here, it serves as a surfactant to improve the absorption of herbicidal chemicals and reduce the time required for the product to become rainfast.
The safety of SLES has been assessed by various organizations, including the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel and government bodies in the US and Australia. These evaluations have generally concluded that SLES is safe for consumer use when formulated to be non-irritating. However, some people with sensitive skin or specific skin conditions may choose to avoid products containing SLES.
Overall, SLES is a common and effective ingredient in many personal care products, providing cleansing and emulsifying properties without causing significant skin irritation when properly formulated.
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The safety of Laureth ingredients has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Laureth ingredients were safe for use in cosmetic products when formulated to be non-irritating. The Panel determined that the alkyl PEG ether compounds, including the Laureth ingredients, could be reviewed together based on their similar structures.
Developmental and reproductive toxicity studies, as well as mutagenicity data, were all negative for these compounds. These compounds can irritate the skin, but the CIR Expert Panel concluded that they were safe when formulated to be non-irritating. Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in the Laureth ingredients. However, the potential presence of this material is well known and can be controlled through purification steps to remove it before blending into cosmetic formulations.
In 2003, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel reaffirmed the safety of Laureth-4 and Laureth-23. The Panel reviewed safety test data on closely related Laureths and other ethoxylated lauryl alcohol compounds found in consumer products but not in cosmetics and personal care products. Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 are polyoxyethers of lauryl alcohol and are clear, colorless liquids. They are used in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, including bath, eye, facial, hair, cleansing, and sunscreen products. These ingredients are also used in cuticle softeners, deodorants, and moisturizing products.
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The CIR Expert Panel determined that Laureth ingredients could be reviewed with other alkyl PEG ether compounds
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel is an independent safety review program for cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel consists of independent experts in dermatology, toxicology, pharmacology, and veterinary medicine. The CIR includes participation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America.
The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the safety of Laureth ingredients, which are polyethylene glycol ethers of lauryl alcohol with repeating ethylene oxide units. The Panel determined that Laureth ingredients could be reviewed together with other alkyl PEG ether compounds due to their similar structures.
The CIR Expert Panel's evaluation of Laureth ingredients concluded that they were safe for use in cosmetic products when formulated to be non-irritating. This conclusion was based on negative findings from developmental and reproductive toxicity studies, as well as mutagenicity data. However, it is important to note that these compounds can irritate the skin if not formulated correctly.
Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of the ethoxylation process, may be present in Laureth ingredients. However, this can be controlled through purification steps to remove it before blending into cosmetic formulations.
Laureth ingredients are used in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, including bath, eye, facial, hair, cleansing, and sunscreen products. They are also used in cuticle softeners, deodorants, and moisturizing products. These ingredients function as surfactants, cleansing agents, emulsifiers, and solubilizers.
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Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 are polyoxyethers of lauryl alcohol
Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 are produced by reacting ethylene oxide with lauryl alcohol. The numerical designation refers to the average number of repeating ethylene oxide units in the molecule. As the numerical value of Laureths increases, the viscosity of the ingredient increases until they become white, waxy solids.
The safety of Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR reviewed safety test data on closely related Laureths and other ethoxylated lauryl alcohol compounds that are in consumer products but not in cosmetics and personal care products. Developmental toxicity, multiple-generation and fertility data, as well as mutagenicity data, were all negative for these compounds. The CIR Expert Panel concluded that Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products.
Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in Laureth-4 and Laureth-23. The potential presence of this material is well known and can be controlled through purification steps to remove it from the ingredients before blending into cosmetic formulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Laureth is a polyoxyether of lauryl alcohol. The number in the name (Laureth-1, Laureth-2, Laureth-3, etc.) indicates the average number of units of ethylene oxide in the molecule.
Laureth is used in cosmetics and personal care products such as bath, eye, facial, hair, cleansing, and sunscreen products. It is also used in cuticle softeners, deodorants, and moisturizers.
The safety of Laureth has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR concluded that Laureth ingredients are safe when formulated to be non-irritating. However, small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of the production process, may be found in Laureth ingredients.
Laureth-23 is used in perfumes and fragrance applications.
Laureth-23 functions as a solubilizing, dispersing, and wetting agent in fragrances. It helps to give a unique body and stabilizing properties to the emulsions.
