Laureth-1
What is Laureth-1?
Laureth-1 is a nonionic surfactant derived from lauryl alcohol and ethylene oxide, belonging to the laureth family of ethoxylated alcohols used in skincare formulations. It functions primarily as an emulsifier, helping to blend oil and water phases in creams, lotions, and cleansers, while also providing mild cleansing and solubilizing properties for other ingredients. The '1' denotes the average number of ethylene oxide units, making it less hydrophilic compared to higher-numbered laureths.
Roles in Formulation
This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:
Foam booster
Enhances foam volume and creaminess and can stabilize lather, improving sensory feel and perceived cleansing in shampoos and wash-off products.
Emulsifying agent
Enables stable mixing of oil and water phases by forming an interfacial film, helping create lotions, creams, and cleansers with consistent texture.
Cleansing agent
Removes dirt, oil, and impurities by lowering surface tension and forming micelles, enabling soils to be lifted and rinsed away from skin, hair, or teeth.
Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.