An ethoxylated fatty alcohol carboxylic acid used as a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
What it is
Laureth-5 carboxylic acid is an ethoxylated lauryl alcohol ether that ends in a carboxylic acid group. CosIng lists it as a cleansing agent and emulsifying and cleansing surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in shampoos, shower gels and facial cleansers.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The number in the INCI name refers to the average degree of ethoxylation; the label does not show the concentration used.
Functions
- Cleansing
- Helping to keep the body surface clean.
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
- Surfactant – cleansing
- Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.