LAURETH-12
Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent
Also listed as
PEG-12 LAURYL ETHER; POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 600 LAURYL ETHER; POLYOXYETHYLENE (12) LAURYL ETHER
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
| Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
 | Contamination concerns - ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Data gaps |
|
See products containing LAURETH-12 | |
About LAURETH-12: Laureth-12 is the polyethylene glycol ether of Lauryl Alcohol (q.v.) that conforms to theformula: where n has an average value of 12.
LAURETH-12 has reported used in the following product types: hair color and bleaching (189); lip gloss (10); concealer (5); anti-aging (5); foundation (5); body wash/cleanser (4); blush (4); sunscreen: makeup (3); shampoo (2); oil controller (1)
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| ATSDR, 2007 | PEGS, -ETHS, -OXYNOLS |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Open scientific literature | ATSDR. 2007. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Public Health Statement for 1,4 Dioxane Available: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs187.html [accessed April 16 2008]. |
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