What Is Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid?
Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid is a synthetic ingredient made by reacting lauryl alcohol, ethylene oxide and chloroacetic acid. The result is a molecule with a fatty alcohol tail joined to an average of six ethylene oxide units and ending in a mild carboxylic acid group. This structure lets it act a bit like soap while staying gentle on skin.
Chemists started working with ethoxylated fatty alcohols in the mid-20th century, looking for cleansers that could foam in hard water without leaving residue. Adding the carboxylic acid group turned out to make the molecule even milder, so formulators began using it in face washes and shampoos. Today it is produced in large batches through controlled ethoxylation followed by carboxymethylation, then purified to meet cosmetic-grade standards.
You will usually spot Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid in foaming facial cleansers, body washes, micellar waters, exfoliating masks and some sulfate-free shampoos. It is valued for giving a creamy lather while helping other surfactants rinse away dirt oil and makeup.
Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In formulas this ingredient serves one key role that brings several skin-friendly benefits:
Cleansing: Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid lifts away sebum pollutants and makeup so they can be rinsed off with water. Its balanced structure lets it foam well yet remain gentle which helps create cleansers that clean effectively without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Who Can Use Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid
Because it is a mild, water-soluble cleanser Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid is generally suitable for all skin types including oily, combination, normal and even dry or sensitive skin that struggles with harsher sulfates. Very sensitive or eczema-prone users may still prefer to limit contact if they find any foaming agent uncomfortable, yet most people tolerate it well thanks to its lower irritation profile.
The ingredient is synthetically produced from plant-derived fatty alcohols and petrochemical ethylene oxide so it contains no animal components. That makes it acceptable for both vegetarians and vegans provided the finished product is certified cruelty-free.
No published data suggests that topical use poses a specific risk during pregnancy or breastfeeding when used in rinse-off or leave-on levels common to cosmetics. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should show the product to a healthcare professional before adding it to a routine just to be safe.
Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid does not increase photosensitivity so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also fragrance-free and non-volatile which minimizes inhalation concerns during normal use.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to any cosmetic ingredient can differ from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects associated with Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid but most users experience none of these when the product is formulated correctly.
- Temporary dryness or tightness, especially with very frequent cleansing
- Mild stinging or redness on highly sensitive or broken skin
- Contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to ethoxylated surfactants
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes before rinsing
If any irritation or discomfort occurs stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid is highly water soluble and designed to rinse clean without leaving an oily film so it has little tendency to block pores. Because it is almost always used in wash-off products any minimal residue is quickly removed which further lowers clogging risk. For these reasons it earns a low score of 1 making it generally suitable for skin that breaks out easily.
No reports link this surfactant to fungal acne flare-ups and it does not interact with sebum in a way that would thicken inside follicles. As with any cleanser the final formulation matters: heavy oils or waxes paired with it could still be comedogenic even though the ingredient itself is not.
Summary
Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid is a mild cleansing agent that lifts dirt oil and makeup through its balanced fatty-alcohol and ethoxylate structure then rinses away with water. Because it foams well in hard water while staying gentle it helps formulators create sulfate-free face washes body cleansers shampoos and micellar waters that clean without stripping skin.
The ingredient is moderately popular: common enough to appear in many drugstore and salon cleansers but not as ubiquitous as classic sulfates or coco-based surfactants. Brands seeking a mild yet effective lather often choose it when marketing to sensitive-skin users.
Current safety data shows a low irritation profile when used at cosmetic levels with no evidence of long-term hazards. Still every skin is unique so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid before full-face or full-body use.