Laureth-23
Emulsifier · INCI: Laureth-23
Reviewed by Elysiana Aguilar, master esthetician
How we read it
Clogs pores for some people. Fine for many, worth watching if you're mid-breakout.
Is Laureth-23 comedogenic?
Sometimes. Laureth-23 is potentially pore-clogging, so we read it as one to use with caution. Plenty of people use it without trouble; if you're actively treating acne, it's worth watching.
Why we read it this way
Laureth-23 is lauryl alcohol carrying a long water-loving chain, which makes it a water-soluble solubilizer and cleansing agent. It keeps fragrance and small amounts of oil dissolved in a watery base. Despite that solubility, we keep it at use with caution.
The nuance
Emulsifiers with a long water-loving chain are mostly ones we do not flag, which makes this one an exception. It counts for less in a cleanser that rinses away than in a gel or lotion that stays on the face.
Where it shows up
Shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, toners, styling gels and lightweight lotions, often low on the list as the ingredient keeping fragrance dissolved.
Related ingredients
One ingredient rarely tells the whole story. The acne ingredient checker reads everything in a product at once, the pore-clogging ingredients list has the rest of what we flag, and there is more on what comedogenic means. Also in the guides: What causes acne.