Laureth-12

Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated

Laureth-12 is a compound with excellent emulsifying, detergent and wetting properties. For this reason, it is a component willingly chosen for the production of cosmetics, detergents, as well as agents used in the textile industry. It is one of the ingredients of shower gels, shampoos, creams, and washing and cleaning agents.

General characteristics and properties

Laureth-12 is a non-ionic surfactant. It is a derivative of lauryl alcohol. It belongs to a group of compounds called ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Laureth-12 is a name from the INCI nomenclature. Its chemical name is C12-14 alcohol ethoxylate. Laureth-12 CAS no. is 68439-50-9.

Physical and chemical properties of Laureth-12:

• a wax at room temperature,
• colour in the Hazen scale: maximum 100 (at 50ᵒC),
• good solubility in water, low aliphatic alcohols (methanol, ethanol) and acetone,
• hydrophilic properties,
• molar mass approx. 720 g/mol,
• density at 70ᵒC: 1.05 g/ml,
• hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB): approx. 14.7,
• active in oxidizing, reducing, acidic and neutral environments, as well as in hard and cold water,
• compatible with non-ionic, anionic and cationic surfactants,
• sensitive to pH changes — at low pH it is relatively stable, while at high pH it is hydrolysed (decomposition).

The role and function of Laureth-12

In cosmetics, Laureth-12 is an O/W (oil-in-water) emulsifier. It is responsible for combining the water and oil phases and creating an emulsion. Typical examples of emulsions in the cosmetic industry are milks, creams and lotions. Laureth-12 as one of the ingredients has a stabilizing and foaming effect. It is often used in a mixture with anionic surfactants. It also functions as a modifier of rheologic properties. Laureth-12 has an effect on the viscosity (rheology) of the cosmetic formulation and thus maintains the proper consistency of the product, which determines the desired application and performance properties. As a surfactant, Laureth-12 helps to remove impurities from the surface of the skin, hair and nails. In the cosmetic industry, Laureth-12 is mainly used in the production of wash and care cosmetics for the skin and hair, as well as in colour cosmetics and sunscreens.

Laureth-12 has good detergent, wetting, dispersing and emulsifying properties for the production of liquid and powder washing and cleaning detergents and washing powders. Moreover, its high cloud point value in water makes it suitable for applications requiring high temperatures. Additionally, its effectiveness in household and industrial detergents is influenced by the hydrophilicity of the Laureth-12 molecule. As an ingredient of detergents, it shows a synergistic effect in a mixture with alkyl sulphates and arylalkyl sulphonates. As a result, a high detergency effect is obtained, and also reduction of the redeposition of dirt.

Laureth-12, like other surfactants derived from lauryl alcohol, is used in the textile industry in the pre-treatment of fibres. It acts as a component of formulations designed to remove oil stains (from mineral oils) formed during industrial knitting and weaving processes. Also, Laureth-12 has the ability to wet cotton fabric. It is one of the components of bleaching formulas for raw knitted fabrics and cotton fabrics. It is also used in the final stages of the dyeing process of textiles, where it is responsible for removing excess dyes from the bath.

Products containing Laureth-12

Basic products containing Laureth-12 as one of the ingredients are listed below:

• dishwashing liquids,
• detergents,
• hand cleaners
• detergents for industrial applications,
• household detergents,
• hair shampoos,
• hair conditioners,
• colour cosmetics,
• moisturising creams,
• face wash gels,
• body scrubs,
• hand creams,
• bleaching baths in the textile industry,
• oil stain removers in the textile industry.