Laureth-21
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Polyoxyethylene 21 lauryl ether, Lauryl PEG-21
Synthetic
Cleanser
Plant Oil
Clean
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-dodecyl-.omega.-hydroxy- (21 mol EO average molar ratio)
Effective at 10.0%
CAS #
9002-92-0
Form
Liquid
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Removes Impurities
Cleansing Surfactant
Traditional Use
Laureth compounds were developed in the mid-20th century as synthetic non-ionic surfactants derived from lauryl alcohol (a fatty alcohol from coconut or palm oil). They were created to replace natural soaps and provide gentle cleansing properties while maintaining stability in formulations.
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0004%
20.0%
0%28%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 7-15 | 0.005-9 | 0.0004-20 | 6-8 | 0.001-4
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR