Laureth-7 Citrate

Laureth-7 Citrate is a citrate salt of an ethoxylated fatty alcohol used primarily as a solubilizer/surfactant, typically at low percentages in leave-on products but capable of disrupting the skin barrier depending on the overall formula and cleansing load. Ethoxylated surfactants (including Laureth derivatives) have a documented history of causing mild irritant contact dermatitis in patch testing, with higher risk in eczema-prone or compromised skin, especially when combined with other surfactants or actives. Given the sensitive-skin population and cumulative routine exposure, I score it as mild (0.4) rather than gentle. Safety Notes: Laureth-7 Citrate is used commercially primarily as a solubilizer/surfactant and emulsifier, with low-end usage (~0.05–0.3%) seen in leave-on lotions/serums and micellar-type waters to aid fragrance/oil solubilization and mild cleansing. In rinse-off facial cleansers, body washes, and makeup removers it more commonly appears around ~1–5% as part of the surfactant system, while high-strength consumer products (especially oil cleansers, cleansing balms, and concentrated cleanser bases) can reach ~8–10% to achieve solubilization and cleansing performance without being prescription/professional-only.