Laureth-1

Alcohols, C12-14 + EO

The surfactant named Laureth-1 (INCI) belongs to the group of substances that are derivatives of lauryl alcohol. It is used mainly as a detergent, emulsifier or dispersant for a number of applications in the household chemicals, cosmetics and textile industries.

What is Laureth-1?

Laureth-1 is a non-ionic surfactant that is mainly used as an emulsifier. This compound, together with other surfactants, forms a group of substances based on lauryl alcohol with a C12-C14 carbon distribution. Laureth-1 is a name that functions in the international INCI nomenclature system. Its other chemical names are ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, polyoxyethylene lauryl alcohol, and polyethylene glycol dodecyl ether. Laureth-1 CAS no. is 68439-50-9.

Chemical and physical properties:

• a clear or cloudy liquid,
• colour in the Hazen scale: maximum 30 (at 40ᵒC),
• weak but characteristic odour,
• molar mass: approx. 237 g/mol,
• pH of a 1% aqueous solution: 6.0 to 7.5,
• poor solubility in water — creates cloudy solutions,
• good solubility in low aliphatic alcohols, such as methanol or ethanol,
• density at 20ᵒC: approx. 0.9 g/ml,
• solidification point: approx. 10ᵒC.

Laureth-1 in industrial applications

The dominant industrial application of Laureth-1 is its use as one of the raw materials in the production of anionic surfactants from the group of lauryl ether sulphates, more commonly known as SLES.  Laureth-1 can be used as an ingredient of hair care products. Primarily, it can be found in all kinds of hair colouring and decolorization products. This non-ionic surfactant has very good detergent, emulsifying, thickening and dispersing properties. These properties determine its popularity in detergents and cosmetics. Nevertheless, it is a weak foaming compound — it does not produce large and stable foams. In products such as shower gels or shampoos, it acts as a washing agent and a modifier of rheologic properties. Having an effect on rheologic properties of the emulsion (its viscosity), it acts as a thickening and consistency-forming agent. It also has the ability to solubilize perfumes and many active ingredients in cosmetics. Importantly, in the case of cosmetics, Laureth-1 is compatible with other non-ionic, anionic or cationic surfactants.

Besides the cosmetic industry, Laureth-1 is also used in the textile industry for the pre-treatment of fibres. It is responsible for removing oil stains (from mineral oils) formed during knitting processes.

Products containing Laureth-1:

• hair shampoos,
• shower gels,
• products for hair colouring and decolorization,
• perfumes,
• a substrate for the production of SLES,
• a component for applications in the textile industry.