Laureth-23

Laureth-23 is an ethoxylated fatty alcohol used primarily as a surfactant/solubilizer in cleansers and leave-on formulations, typically at low-to-moderate percentages, but surfactants as a class can disrupt the stratum corneum and increase stinging—especially on compromised or eczematous skin. Human patch testing and real-world use suggest it is generally tolerated but not reliably “non-irritating,” with higher risk when combined with other cleansing agents or when barrier function is impaired. Given cumulative routine exposure and the vulnerable sensitive-skin population, I rate it as a moderate irritant where patch testing is prudent. Safety Notes: Laureth-23 is a high-HLB nonionic surfactant/solubilizer most often used at very low levels (~0.05–1%) in leave-on lotions/serums and as a solubilizer for fragrance/oils, while rinse-off cleansers and body washes commonly sit around ~1–8% as part of the primary surfactant system. In consumer-available high-surfactant formats (e.g., micellar waters, makeup removers, cleansing oils/gel cleansers, and some bath/shower concentrates), it can reach ~10–20% within the total surfactant/solubilizer blend without being professional-only. No specific EU/FDA maximum applies for this INCI; practical limits are driven by irritation potential and viscosity/cloud point constraints, with higher levels more typical for rinse-off than leave-on.