Laureth4

Laureth-4 is a nonionic surfactant in the family of ethoxylated fatty alcohols. It is formed by the etherification of lauryl alcohol with four units of ethylene oxide, yielding a polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol. In cosmetic and personal care formulations, laureth-4 acts as a surfactant, emulsifier, and wetting agent, helping to solubilize oils and stabilize mixtures. It is commonly used in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, bubble baths, and other rinse-off products, as well as some household cleaners.

Chemically, laureth-4 is water-soluble and forms micelles that enable oil and dirt to be dispersed in water. As a nonionic surfactant, it tends to be milder than anionic surfactants and is often used at moderate concentrations in formulations. In practice, it is frequently combined with other surfactants to adjust foaming, texture, and cleansing performance.

Safety and regulation: Laureth-4 has been evaluated by cosmetic safety bodies and is considered safe for use in cosmetic products at typical use levels. It can cause mild skin or eye irritation in some individuals, particularly at higher concentrations. Because ethoxylation can leave trace contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane, manufacturers and regulators emphasize minimizing these impurities; many jurisdictions encourage testing and purity controls to reduce exposure.

Environmental aspects: Laureth-4 is typically readily biodegradable under standard conditions and generally exhibits low to moderate aquatic toxicity at common environmental concentrations. Environmental risk is influenced by formulation quality, concentrations, and wastewater treatment practices.