Laureth-7

The Basics On Laureth-7

What is Laureth-7?

A form of lauryl alcohol (a non-irritating fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil).

What are other names for Laureth-7?

3,6,9,12,15,18,21-HEPTAOXATRITRIACONTAN-1-OL, 3,6,9,12,15,18,21-HEPTAOXATRITRIACONTANOL, HEPTAETHYLENEGLYCOL DODECYLETHER, HYPTAETHYLENE GLYCOL DODECYL ETHER, LAURETH-7, LAURYL ALCOHOL HEXA(OXYETHYLENE) ETHANOL, PEG-7 LAURYL ETHER, POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (7) LAURYL ETHER, and POLYOXYETHYLENE (7) LAURYL ETHER

What is Laureth-7 used for?

Laureth-7 is used as an emulsifier and surfactant in the formulation of a variety of bath, eye, facial, hair, cleansing and sunscreen products, as well as cuticle softeners, deodorants and moisturizing products.

How Laureth-7 is classified

Thickeners/Emulsifiers, Cleansing Agents

Recommendations for using Laureth-7 during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Laureth-7 During Pregnancy

What we know about using Laureth-7 while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

No published reproductive and developmental toxicity studies were found. However, data on analogous compounds are available from the safety assessments of the alkyl PEG ethers and PPGs, and summaries of these data follow. From the CIR safety assessment of Alkyl PEG Ethers: 2 In a two-generation reproductive study, dermal administration of ≤25% C9-11 pareth-6 did not have a toxicologically significant effect on dams or offspring. In two-generation oral reproductive studies with dietary administration of compounds analogous to laureth-9, the NOAEL for reproductive toxicity was >250 mg/kg bw/day, and the NOAELs for maternal and developmental toxicity were 50 mg/kg bw/day. Dosing with ≤1000 mg/kg PEG-3 methyl ether did not result in any treatment-related reproductive effects in rats. A dose of 3000 mg/kg PEG-3 methyl ether did result in increased length of gestation and increased maternal kidney weights. In a study in which gravid rats were dosed with ≤5000 mg/kg PEG-3 methyl ether on days 6-15 of gestation, the maternal and developmental NOELs for rats were 625 mg/kg/day, and the NOAEL for maternal toxicity was 1250 mg/kg/day. For rabbits given ≤1500 mg/kg PEG-3 methyl ether on days 6-18 of gestation, clinical signs of toxicity and mortality were statistically significantly increased for the high dose group. The maternal and developmental NOELs for rabbits were 250 and 1000 mg/kg/day PEG-3 methyl ether, respectively. The NOAEL for maternal toxicity was 500 mg/kg/day, and the presumed NOAEL for developmental toxicity was 1500 mg/kg/day. In a test for developmental neurotoxicity, no neurotoxic effects attributable to PEG-3 methyl ether were identified. From the CIR safety assessment of PPGs: 3 Oral administration of propylene glycol did not have any adverse reproductive or developmental effects when evaluated in mice at concentrations of ≤5%, in rats at doses of ≤1600 mg/kg, in rabbits at doses of ≤1230 mg/kg, or in hamsters at doses of ≤1550 mg/kg. Embryonic development was reduced or inhibited completely in cultures of mouse zygotes exposed to 3.0 or 6.0 M propylene glycol, respectively. A study examining induction of cytogenetic aberrations in mice reported an increase in the frequency of premature centrosphere separation with 1300-5200 mg/kg propylene glycol. In zygotes from propylene glycol-dosed mice, hyperploidy was increased.

General safety info about Laureth-7 from CIR

The CIR Expert Panel assessed the safety of 131 alkyl PEG/PPG ethers as used in cosmetics, concluding that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating. Most of the alkyl PEG/PPG ethers included in this review are reported to function in cosmetics as surfactants, skin conditioning agents, and/or emulsifying agents. The alkyl PEG/PPG ethers share very similar physiochemical properties with another group of ingredients that has been reviewed previously by the CIR Expert Panel and found safe when formulated to be non-irritating, i.e., the alkyl PEG ethers. The only difference between these two families is the inclusion of PPG repeat units, which are used to fine-tune the surfactant properties of this group. The Panel relied heavily on data on analogous ingredients, extracted from the alkyl PEG ethers and PPG reports, when making its determination of safety.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Laureth-7

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