Laureth-3
What Laureth-3 is & what it does
Laureth-3 is an ethoxylated fatty alcohol made from lauryl alcohol reacted with about three units of ethylene oxide. In skincare and sunscreen products it acts mainly as an emulsifier and surfactant, helping oil and water phases blend into a stable, uniform mixture. The number reflects its degree of ethoxylation, which influences how oil- or water-loving the ingredient is.
What does Laureth-3 do in skincare?
Laureth-3 functions mainly as an emulsifier and surfactant. It helps oil and water blend into a smooth, stable mixture and can aid in evenly dispersing other ingredients. The "3" refers to its degree of ethoxylation, which tunes how oil- or water-loving it is.
Is Laureth-3 natural or synthetic?
Laureth-3 is synthetic. It is made by reacting lauryl alcohol with ethylene oxide, a process called ethoxylation. The starting alcohol can be plant-derived, but the ethoxylation step is a chemical manufacturing process.
Is Laureth-3 safe?
Laureth-type ingredients are commonly used as emulsifiers in cosmetics at controlled levels. Suitability depends on the overall formula and your own skin sensitivity, and we do not offer medical advice. If you have sensitive skin, patch testing a new product is sensible.
Sunscreens with Laureth-3
We rate 8 sunscreens that contain it:
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Bioderma Cicabio Cream Spf50+
84/100
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Skinbetter Science Sunbetter® Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact
81/100
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SkinBetter Sunbetter™ Sheer SPF 56 Sunscreen Stick
80/100
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Umbrella Intelligent DNA Defense SPF 99
74/100
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QV Hand Cream With Spf 15
73/100
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Amavara SPF 50 Face Stick With Earthwell Zinc Technology
68/100
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Mary Kay Timewise Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25
65/100
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Mary Kay Timewise Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 35 Broad Spectrum
63/100