Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate

What is Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate?

Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate is a synthetic anionic surfactant produced by ethoxylating lauryl alcohol with 13 moles of ethylene oxide, followed by carboxylation to form an ether carboxylic acid salt. This structure imparts excellent water solubility and mildness. It appears in rinse-off products such as shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, and bubble baths. In formulations, it works by decreasing the surface tension between water and oils or dirt, promoting the creation of micelles that trap and lift away impurities for easy rinsing. The extended ethoxy chain enhances its gentleness, supporting better compatibility with skin proteins and reducing potential for dryness compared to harsher surfactants. It also aids in emulsifying oils, contributing to creamy textures and persistent foam without compromising efficacy.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 2 View on EWG →
PubChem View on PubChem →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
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.

Benefits

Delivers gentle cleansing by emulsifying dirt and oils.

Produces stable, rich lather in rinse-off products.

Exhibits low comedogenic potential for clearer pores.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
People with sensitive skin needing mild daily cleansers.
Those with rare allergies to ethoxylated fatty alcohols.
Users seeking alternatives to traditional sulfate surfactants.
People sensitive to anionic surfactants in patch tests.
Individuals with normal to oily skin types for effective rinsing.
Individuals preferring completely natural ingredient profiles.

Safety Notes

  • Recognized as safe for use in cosmetics by expert reviews.
  • Shows low potential for skin or eye irritation in formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate

What does Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate do in products?

It acts as a surfactant to lower surface tension, enabling dirt removal and foaming in cleansers.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, its design offers mild cleansing with low irritation risk.

Does it cause breakouts?

No, it has a comedogenic rating of zero.