Ingredient decoder

Laureth-4: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Laureth-4

Acne verdict High clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • Comedogenic5 / 5
  • Irritancy4 / 5

What it does

Emulsifier that helps oil and water blend.

  • Antistatic
  • Emulsifying
  • Masking
  • Surfactant

Laureth-4 in plain English

Laureth-4 is an ethoxylated emulsifier made from lauryl alcohol that helps oil and water stay mixed. It rates among the highest on classic comedogenic lists, so it is one to avoid in leave-on face products if you break out. Its rating comes from old rabbit-ear tests of the raw ingredient, which can overstate what happens with a finished product on human skin.

Is laureth-4 bad for acne?

It can be. Laureth-4 has a high clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. In Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear test it scored 5 out of 5 for clogging pores and 4 out of 5 for irritation. That test used the raw ingredient, so a small amount in a finished product may behave differently. If you break out easily, check where it sits on the ingredient list: the higher it appears, the more of it the product usually contains.

Why it is flagged: An emulsifier that rates among the highest on classic comedogenic lists.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Laureth-4
  • Peg-4 lauryl ether

Related ingredients

Browse all ingredients A to Z

Frequently asked questions

Is laureth-4 comedogenic?

Laureth-4 scored 5 out of 5 for comedogenicity in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear study, where 0 means no clogging and 5 means severe. That is a high rating. The test used the raw ingredient, so a finished product may behave differently.

What does laureth-4 do in skincare?

In short: emulsifier that helps oil and water blend. In formulas it is used for antistatic, emulsifying, masking and surfactant.

What else is laureth-4 called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, laureth-4 can also appear as Peg-4 lauryl ether.

Sources