Ingredients

Laureth-7

What laureth-7 does as an emulsifier in gel creams and sunscreens, why it appears with polyacrylamide, and the 1,4-dioxane question.

By Nora Ellison · Published

No specific flag recordedIn 10 products we cover

Annotations are editorial flags, not safety scores or measured reaction rates. How we classify and match ingredients.

Also known as PEG-7 Lauryl Ether

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Quick facts

INCI name
Laureth-7
Origin
Synthetic
Chemical class
Alkyl PEG ether (ethoxylated fatty alcohol)
What it does in a formula
emulsifying, surfactant
Why it is in the formula
Helps oil and water stay mixed, usually alongside polyacrylamide in gel creams and lotions.
Regulatory notes
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel concluded alkyl PEG ethers, the family laureth-7 belongs to, are safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating, and said these ingredients should not contain 1,4-dioxane or ethylene oxide.

What is Laureth-7?

Laureth-7 is an emulsifier made from lauryl alcohol, a fatty alcohol, that has been reacted with ethylene oxide. The name tells you its structure: “laur” for the lauryl chain and “eth-7” for an average of seven ethylene oxide units. That gives it one oil-loving end and one water-loving end. Other laureths, such as laureth-4 or laureth-23, differ mainly in the length of that chain, and the safety panel assessed them together as one family.

On the products we cover, laureth-7 almost always appears right next to polyacrylamide, and usually C13-14 isoparaffin too. Every product we cover that lists it also lists polyacrylamide. You’ll find them in gel creams, moisturizers, eye creams and sunscreens.

What does Laureth-7 do?

  • Emulsifies. It helps oil and water stay mixed, so the product doesn’t separate.
  • Acts as a surfactant. It lowers the tension between oil and water, the same property that lets it help a formula blend evenly.

It’s a helper ingredient. It isn’t there to do anything to your skin.

Who is Laureth-7 for?

It suits most skin types. The safety panel concluded alkyl PEG ethers are safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating.

The question you’ll see online is 1,4-dioxane. It’s a possible byproduct of making ethoxylated ingredients, and the panel said these ingredients shouldn’t contain it or ethylene oxide. Manufacturers can strip it out during processing, but a label alone can’t tell you the level in one product. If you’d rather avoid ethoxylated ingredients, check labels for names ending in “-eth” and for “PEG”.

What to pair Laureth-7 with, and what to avoid

There’s nothing to pair. It works inside the formula with the thickener and oils. If you’re choosing a light moisturizer, the moisturizer guide covers what to look for by skin type.

Quick picks with Laureth-7

Picked from label facts only. We haven't tested these products.

All 10 products with Laureth-7

Daily Moisturizers & Water Gel Creams (3)

Sheet, Hydrogel & Clay Masks (2)

Gel, Foam & Cream Facial Cleansers (1)

Targeted Vitamin C & Brightening Correctors (1)

Daily Sunscreens & SPF Moisturizers (1)

Eye Creams & Under-Eye Patches (1)

From stores: products with Laureth-7

Store-listed products whose ingredient list we've checked.

Mineral Pressed Powders & Skin-Nourishing Primers (1)

Common questions

What is laureth-7?

It's lauryl alcohol, a fatty alcohol, that has been reacted with ethylene oxide so it carries a short water-loving chain, about seven units long. That gives it one oil-loving end and one water-loving end, which is what an emulsifier needs.

Is laureth-7 the same as sodium laureth sulfate?

No. They share a starting point, but sodium laureth sulfate has an extra sulfate group and is a strong cleansing agent. Laureth-7 is mostly used as an emulsifier in leave-on creams.

Does laureth-7 contain 1,4-dioxane?

1,4-dioxane can form as a byproduct when ingredients are made with ethylene oxide. The safety panel said these ingredients should not contain 1,4-dioxane or ethylene oxide, and manufacturers can remove them during processing. A label can't tell you the level in a specific product.

Is laureth-7 safe for skin?

The safety panel concluded alkyl PEG ethers are safe as used when products are formulated to be non-irritating. As with any emulsifier, a reaction is possible, so stop using a product that bothers you.

Sources