How is Laureth-4 Made?
Laureth-4 is a nonionic surfactant made by the ethoxylation reaction of lauryl alcohol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide. As an emulsifier in cosmetic formulations, it quickly reduces surface tension, effectively dispersing oil and dirt while remaining mild and non-irritating.
Primary Function in Cosmetic Formulations
In cosmetic formulations, Laureth-4's primary function is to achieve both emulsification and cleansing. In products like cleansing oils and creams, it acts as a primary emulsifier, allowing the product to quickly form an emulsion upon contact with water, effectively removing makeup from the skin's surface. In cleansers and body washes, it acts as a secondary surfactant, enhancing overall cleansing power while helping to reduce irritation. In skincare lotions, it also adjusts viscosity, improving spreadability and skin feel. The recommended dosage is 1%–15%. Available in 20kg and 200kg drums.
Key Benefits
The core advantages of Laureth-4 are reflected in many aspects: first, it is non-toxic, odorless, low in irritation, and has outstanding safety, which is suitable for formula systems that pursue a mild skin care experience or have certain requirements for environmental protection; second, it is stable under different pH conditions and can also tolerate hard water environments, and its emulsification and cleaning performance are not easily affected by system factors; in addition, its foam suppression characteristics are obvious, especially suitable for mild cleaning products that do not emphasize foam richness; at the same time, it also has certain antistatic and emulsification effects, which helps to optimize the formula structure. In general, Laureth-4 is a highly adaptable raw material that combines safety, system stability and multifunctional performance, and is suitable for a variety of daily chemical products that have high requirements for skin feel, tolerance and formula compatibility.