Dimethicone Dimethiconol Laureth 3 Laureth 23, 3055-94-5 , 68439-50-9

LAURETH-3

What is LAURETH-3 used for?

Laureth-3 is a liquid emulsifier and surfactant/cleaning agent. It is frequently used in skin care formulations to aid in the blending of water and oil-based ingredients. Due to its solubilizing qualities, it is frequently used in products that call for a milky consistency. It is frequently used as a thickening agent in products like shampoos and shower gels for the best aesthetics.

The ingredient's viscosity (thickness) is correlated with the number 3. The viscosity increases with the laureth's numerical value. It can be used in all kinds of skincare products, and hair care products including body washes, hair shampoos, deodorants, lotions, and creams. The typical use level is 1-5%.

Origin

Alkaline catalysis is by far the most common method of manufacture of alkyl PEG ethers, although acid catalysis is known.

The initiation of the alkaline catalyzed synthesis of alkyl PEG ethers consists of the addition of ethylene oxide to a dry solution of the appropriate alcohol (e.g., lauryl alcohol is used to synthesize laureths) with an alkali earth metal (e.g., potassium hydroxide) or alkoxide (e.g., sodium methoxide).

The reaction continues to propagate (i.e., continues to add additional units of ethylene glycol to the alcohol) until the available ethylene oxide is consumed and/or the reaction is terminated by the addition of an acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid). Dioxane (1,4-diethylene dioxide; 1,4-dioxane) is commonly formed as a byproduct. Finally, one or more oxidizing agents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) or antioxidants/stabilizers (e.g., butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or -tocopherol (vitamin E) are commonly used as a finishing step.

What does LAURETH-3 do in a formulation?

• Cleansing
• Emulsifying
• Surfactant

Safety profile

The safety of the alkyl PEG ethers, including the Laureth ingredients, has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel.

The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that the Laureth ingredients were safe as used in cosmetic products when formulated to be non-irritating.

Developmental and reproductive toxicity studies as well as mutagenicity data were all negative for these compounds.

These compounds, however, can irritate the skin. Therefore, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that the Laureth ingredients, as well as the other alkyl PEG ether ingredients, were safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating. Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in the Laureth ingredients.

The potential presence of this material is well known and can be controlled through purification steps to remove it from the ingredients before blending into cosmetic formulations.

Polyoxyethers of lauryl alcohol make up the ingredients in Laureth. They belong to the alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG) ether family. The name's numeric component represents the typical number of ethylene oxide units present in the molecule. Laureth-3 is used in the formulation of a variety of bath, eye, facial, hair, cleansing, and sunscreen products in the cosmetics and personal care industry. Additionally, it is utilized in moisturizing, deodorizing, and cuticle-softening products.

A blend of silicone-based compounds and surfactants commonly used in hair care products for conditioning, smoothing, and detangling

Dimethicone Dimethiconol Laureth 3 Laureth 23

A blend of silicone-based compounds and surfactants commonly used in hair care products for conditioning, smoothing, and detangling.

Description

Dimethicone and Dimethiconol are silicone oils known for their conditioning and smoothing properties in hair care products. They help to improve the texture of the hair, reduce frizz, and enhance shine. Laureth-3 and Laureth-23 are surfactants that act as emulsifiers and solubilizers, helping to disperse the silicone oils evenly throughout the hair and provide a smooth, creamy texture to the product.

Use

This blend is often found in hair conditioners, leave-in treatments, and styling products such as serums and creams. It is used to provide conditioning benefits, improve manageability, and enhance the overall appearance of the hair. The combination of silicone oils and surfactants helps to detangle the hair, reduce static, and protect against environmental damage.

Applications

Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Laureth-3, and Laureth-23 are typically applied to clean, damp hair after shampooing. They can be left in the hair as a leave-in treatment or rinsed out, depending on the product instructions. These ingredients help to smooth the hair cuticle, seal in moisture, and create a protective barrier that shields the hair from heat styling and environmental stressors.

What Is Laureth-23?

Laureth-23 is a synthetic ingredient that is used in many different cosmetics and skincare products to improve the texture and feel. 

Laureth ingredients are produced through a process known as ethoxylation, a chemical reaction in which ethylene oxide is added to a substrate. In this case, the substrate is lauryl alcohol. Lauryl alcohol is obtained from lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid with a 12-carbon atom chain that can be found in palm kernel oil or coconut oil. The number associated with the laureth -23 indicates the average number of repeating ethylene oxide units in the molecule. As the numerical value of laureth ingredients increases, the thickness or viscosity increases until they become white, waxy solids.
 

LAURETH-23

Substance information

"Laureth-" refers to a PEG-(polyethylene glycol-) ether of lauryl alcohol. The number behind "laureth-" refers to the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-O-.

Laureth-3 is an effective liquid non-ionic emulsifier & surfactant made from polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol (POE 3 lauryl alcohol). HLB value 8 (gives water-in-oil emulsions). Non-ionic emulsifier (enables water & oil to mix), dispersing agent, and solubilizer. Solubilizes oils in aqueos systems and create a milky type consistency when surfactants are present. Act as a thickener in shampoos and shower gels. Compatible with non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, and cationic surfactants.

Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether/Laureth - 23

CAS: 9002-92-0

Chemical Name: Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether/Laureth - 23

Assay: 99%

Appearance: Milky white solid 

Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether/Laureth – 23 More Details：

Specification: 

Surfactant

Lauryl alcohol-23 is a non-ionic surfactant prepared from lauryl alcohol and 23 moles of ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol-23 contains an average of 23 repeating ethylene oxide units. Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in lauryl alcohol-23. The potential presence of this substance is well known and can be controlled by purification steps to remove it. This ingredient has been reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Committee and has been declared safe for use below 6%.

As a surfactant, Laureth-23 acts by reducing the surface tension between two substances (e.g. two liquids or a liquid and a solid). One end of the surfactant molecule is hydrophilic or attracted to water and the other end is lipophilic or attracted to oil. This enables surfactants to attract and suspend oil, dirt, and other impurities that have accumulated on the skin and wash them off. Due to these properties, laureth-23 can be found in many different detergents and body

Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are necessary when formulations contain both water and oil components. When water-based and oil-based components are mixed together, the two components often separate or split. To solve this problem, emulsifiers such as Laureth-23 can be added, which helps to produce a stable product.

Is Laureth-23 safe?

The scientific data and conclusions assessed by this Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel are that Laureth-23 is only safe when formulated for use in non-irritating cosmetic products. Laureth-23 was declared safe because it is used in concentrations up to 6%.

Although the CIR panel approved Laureth-23, there are concerns about the presence of ethylene oxide in this ingredient. This is because the ethoxylation process can lead to contamination with 1,4-dioxane, a potentially dangerous by-product. In fact, 1,4-dioxane is a known animal carcinogen that readily penetrates the skin. This ingredient has also been associated with skin irritation. However, manufacturing and purification processes and guidelines ensure the safety of ingredients produced by ethoxylation. 

2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/2-HEA Usage：

Laureth – 23, it has a good biodegradability, and cryogenic property, usually used as dispersants, levelling agents, electrostatic-proof agents and emulsifiers, also the detergent. In dyeing and spinning industry, it is used as levelling agents and stripping agent;In Latex industry and oil drilling industry, used as emulsifiers.It can remove the dirty dyes on the fabric surface when painted, thus can strengthen the dirty-removing ability, lessen the electrostatic effect of the fabrics.

2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/2-HEA Storage;

Stored in a room temperature, dry and ventilated warehouse, avoid high temperature, avoid moisture and sunshine.

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

CLEANSING

Cleans skin, hair or teeth

SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

Surface-active agent to clean skin, hair and / or teeth

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Allows the formation of finely dispersed mixtures of oil and water (emulsions)

Origin : synthetic

Background information on use in cosmetics

Polyethylene glycols (INCI: PEG-...) are poly condensation products of ethylene glycol, or polymerisation products of ethylene oxide. The number added to the name refers to the mean number of ethylene oxide units in the substance. The consistency of the PEG derivatives is increasingly solid with a growing degree of polymerisation. PEGs with a mean molar mass of up to 600 g/mol are liquid, up to 1,000 g/mol wax-like and from 4,000 g/mol solid wax-like substances. By mixing solid and liquid components, products of a creamy consistency are obtained which are used as water-free and water rinse-off bases. With growing molar mass water solubility and hygroscopicity (ability to absorb moisture) of the polyethylene glycols decrease.

Surfactants are so-called detergent substances and have a major significance in cosmetics for the cleansing of the skin and hair. Surfactants are substances which, based on their molecular structure, are able to reduce the surface tension of a liquid. In this way it is possible that two actually not mixable substances, such as oil and water, can be finely mixed. Because of their properties, surfactants have manifold uses in cosmetics: they can cleanse, produce foam and act as emulsifiers and mix substances with one another. In shampoos, shower gels and soaps, surfactants are, for instance, used to wash fat and soil particles with water off from the body. Surfactants are also used in toothpaste. Here they promote during tooth cleaning the rapid and full dissolution and distribution of the paste in the mouth.

The surfactants used in cosmetic products are primarily produced synthetically on the basis of vegetable raw materials. Surfactants are often used in combination to equally meet all desired requirements – like dissolution of soil and formation of foam in combination with a good skin tolerance – in the best possible manner. Through a skilled combination of a surfactant – viewed on its own – with unfavourable skin tolerance but a very good soil removal property with a very mild, skin protecting surfactant altogether a product with good cleansing properties and the same good skin tolerances is obtained.

Emulsifiers are often used in cosmetics as excipients. They allow actually unmixable components like oil and water to be brought in a permanently stable emulsion. In this way both aqueous and oily care and active ingredients can be used in one and the same product in cosmetics. Emulsifiers are able to do that since their molecules consist of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic part. In this way they can reduce the interfacial tension which actually exists between two incompatible substances like fat and water. Emulsifiers are, more particularly, used for creams, lotions and cleansing agents. At present emulsifiers are, however, more than only excipients which keep an emulsion stable. Fatty acid esters on the basis of sugar, lecithin or glycerin monodistearate contribute, for instance, to improving the moisture balance of the skin and are, therefore, also considered as cosmetic active ingredients.