Laureth-4

INCI: LAURETH-4

CAS Number
5274-68-0 / 9002-92-0 / 68439-50-9
Function
Antistatic agent, emulsifying agent, masking agent, surfactant
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status prohibited
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes Allowed; no specific prohibition or restriction.

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

CIR concluded safe when formulated to be nonirritating; can irritate skin; 1,4-dioxane contamination potential. Low-EO laureths tend to be more irritating than higher-EO homologs.. Low HLB value (~9.7), liquid at room temperature; IUPAC name: 2-dodecoxyethanol; useful as a W/O emulsifier or co-emulsifier; chemically inert to hydrolytic decomposition; 4 average EO units.

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Concern Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Laureth-4 safe in cosmetics?

CIR concluded safe when formulated to be nonirritating; can irritate skin; 1,4-dioxane contamination potential. Low-EO laureths tend to be more irritating than higher-EO homologs.. Low HLB value (~9.7), liquid at room temperature; IUPAC name: 2-dodecoxyethanol; useful as a W/O emulsifier or co-emulsifier; chemically inert to hydrolytic decomposition; 4 average EO units. The EU classifies Laureth-4 as "prohibited". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Laureth-4 allowed in the EU?

Laureth-4 EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Laureth-4 do in cosmetics?

Laureth-4 functions as: Antistatic agent, emulsifying agent, masking agent, surfactant. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 5274-68-0 / 9002-92-0 / 68439-50-9.

What is the Margin of Safety for Laureth-4?

not established 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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