Laureth-7

Laureth-7 is an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant/solubilizer commonly used in cleansers and emulsions (often ~0.5–5%), where surfactant activity can disrupt the stratum corneum and increase transepidermal water loss. Human patch and in-use data for ethoxylated alcohol surfactants show low-to-moderate irritation potential that rises with concentration, leave-on exposure, and compromised barriers (eczema, post-procedure). Given the real-world cumulative exposure from multi-step routines and higher risk in barrier-impaired patients, a moderate irritancy score is the safer clinically aligned assessment. Safety Notes: Laureth-7 is a nonionic surfactant/solubilizer commonly used at very low levels (~0.05–0.5%) in leave-on products (serums, lotions, sunscreens) to solubilize fragrance/oily actives and support emulsion stability. In rinse-off cleansers, micellar waters, and foaming washes it is more often a secondary surfactant/co-surfactant in the ~1–8% range, but consumer-available high-foaming or clarifying washes and some rinse-off hair/body wash formats can reach ~10–15% when used as a primary/major surfactant within the total surfactant system.