Laureth-4

Laureth-4 molecular structurePubChem

adults • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Laureth 4?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Laureth 4 is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults: generally low-risk when used in normal cosmetic products, but it can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs in some people and may carry tiny amounts of manufacturing contaminants.

✅What to Do

If you're an adult using products with Laureth-4: do a small patch test first, avoid applying on broken or red skin, avoid getting it in your eyes, and stop use if you get irritation. Prefer products from brands that test for manufacturing contaminants or label safety controls. If you have sensitive skin, eczema, or asthma, be extra cautious.

⚠️Warnings

Source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review and industry reports note irritation risks and possible contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Also, some product verification programs restrict use unless manufacturers show testing or controls for these contaminants. If you see skin redness, burning, swelling, or breathing trouble after use, stop and seek medical help.

Confidence: HIGH

Are you holding the product?

Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.

Scan the full label for free
Get instant analysis of all ingredients together

Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: A formal safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) found strong evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs in people. The same review flags moderate irritation as a real concern for topical use, so babies with sensitive skin may get redness, itching, or rashes.
Cancer: This ingredient can carry contamination from ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. International health agencies (IARC/WHO) list ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible carcinogen. Because these impurities can be present, there is a real cancer-related risk from contaminated product exposure.
Long-Term Risk: Regulatory and industry safety reviews note impurities and data gaps for this chemical and recommend limits on impurities and manufacturing methods (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Persistent exposure to the listed contaminants is tied to long-term health effects, so repeated use raises longer-term risk.
Absorbed: This is a topical, ethoxylated ingredient and industry reviews warn that manufacturing impurities can remain. Those impurities and the ingredient itself can be absorbed through skin, so some chemical can reach the body after use (noted in CIR assessments).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Laureth-4

This ingredient may also be listed as:

laureth-4M445FATTY ALCOHOL POLYOXYETHYLENE ETHER(O-20)KS-00000Y05FT-0627728POLYOXYL 4 LAURYL ETHER, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDNCGC00159385-03TETRAETHYLENEN GLYCOL MONO-N-DODECYL ETHERFT-0710803NCGC00159385-02MCULE-2882952206LAURETH-4

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Laureth-4

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Laureth-4 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Laureth-4

Is this safe for adults to use Laureth-4?

Yes, Laureth-4 is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

What are the irritant risks of Laureth-4 for adults?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the cancer risks of Laureth-4 for adults?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.

What are the long-term risk risks of Laureth-4 for adults?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What are the absorbed risks of Laureth-4 for adults?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream.

What products contain Laureth-4?

Laureth-4 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can adults using products with Laureth-4?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product