Laureth-4

The safety of Laureth-4, and Laureth-23, has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 were safe as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of use and concentration. In 2003, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 and reaffirmed the above conclusion.CIR Safety Review: In preparing the report on Laureth-4 and Laureth-23, the CIR Expert Panel also reviewed safety test data on closely related Laureths and other ethoxylated lauryl alcohol compounds that are in consumer products, but not in cosmetics and personal care products. Developmental toxicity, multiple generation and fertility data, as well as mutagenicity data were all negative for these compounds. These data supported the CIR Expert Panel’s conclusion that Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products.

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.

Link to more information about what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is doing to assure that cosmetics do not contain unsafe levels of 1,4-dioxane.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cosdiox.html

Laureth-4 and Laureth-23 may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/html/consolidated_d...