Laureth-2

INCI: LAURETH-2

CAS Number
3055-93-4
Function
Surfactant, emulsifier, penetration enhancer (HLB ≈ 6.1)
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted — not restricted under 21 CFR; reviewed by CIR

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Skin irritant (GHS H315) and causes serious eye damage (H318); very toxic to aquatic life (H400); potential penetration enhancer; 1,4-dioxane residual from ethoxylation must be controlled.

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Concern Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Laureth-2 safe in cosmetics?

Skin irritant (GHS H315) and causes serious eye damage (H318); very toxic to aquatic life (H400); potential penetration enhancer; 1,4-dioxane residual from ethoxylation must be controlled. The EU classifies Laureth-2 as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Laureth-2 allowed in the EU?

Laureth-2 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Laureth-2 do in cosmetics?

Laureth-2 functions as: Surfactant, emulsifier, penetration enhancer (HLB ≈ 6.1). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 3055-93-4.

What is the Margin of Safety for Laureth-2?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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