LAURETH-4
Surfactant - Emulsifying Agent; ANTISTATIC; MASKING
Also listed as
PEG-4 LAURYL ETHER; POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 200 LAURYL ETHER; POLYOXYETHYLENE (4) LAURYL ETHER; TETRAETHYLENE GLYCOL DODECYL ETHER; 3,6,9,12-TETRAOXATETRACOSAN-1-OL; LAURYL ALCOHOL TRI (OXYETHYLENE) ETHANOL
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 |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Data gaps |
|
See products containing LAURETH-4 | |
About LAURETH-4: Laureth-4 is the polyethylene glycol ether of Lauryl Alcohol (q.v.). where n has an average value of 4.
LAURETH-4 has reported used in the following product types: foundation (30); shampoo (20); facial moisturizer/treatment (20); body wash/cleanser (19); blush (18); sunscreen: makeup (17); moisturizer (17); anti-aging (13); facial cleanser (11); baby soap (10)
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Human irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| 7 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> | PubMed |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | LAURETH-4 | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product •Determined safe for use in cosmetics based on concentrations of surrogate, related chemical in cosmetics, by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Irritation (eyes, skin, or lungs) |
| ATSDR, 2007 | PEGS, -ETHS, -OXYNOLS |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| 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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