Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate

Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate is an anionic surfactant/cleansing agent typically used in low-to-moderate percentages in rinse-off products, where its irritation potential is lower than harsher sulfates but still clinically relevant. Surfactants can disrupt the stratum corneum barrier and increase transepidermal water loss, and in sensitive populations (eczema/atopic skin) even “milder” anionics can trigger stinging, dryness, or flares, especially with frequent use or when combined with other cleansers/actives. Based on its functional role and known surfactant-related barrier effects, I rate it as mild with occasional sensitivity possible. Safety Notes: Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate is an anionic surfactant most commonly used in rinse-off cleansers, shampoos, body washes, and micellar/cleansing waters, where it may appear at very low levels (~0.05–0.5%) as a secondary surfactant/solubilizer or mildness booster alongside other primary detergents. In mainstream rinse-off formulas it is often in the low single digits, while high-foaming or high-actives (surfactant-forward) consumer cleansing concentrates and some micellar/cleansing bases can reach the low-to-high teens, with the upper end around ~20% in stronger OTC rinse-off systems; leave-on use is uncommon and typically stays at the low end due to irritation potential.