Laureth-4 Bon Cleansing Agent No known benefits Laureth-4 at a glance Works as a cleansing agent in skin care formulas Also functions as an emulsifier/stabiliser and texture enhancer Described as a clear, colourless liquid in raw material form Proven track record of safety in cosmetic use Laureth-4 description Laureth-4 is a form of lauryl alcohol (a non-sensitising fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil) that can function as a cleansing agent, emulsifier/stabiliser, and formulary texture enhancer. You can find this ingredient in all kinds of skin care products, including cleansers, toners, serums, and other leave-on treatments. The number 4 correlates with the viscosity of this ingredient. The higher the laureth’s numerical value, the greater the viscosity, eventually leading to white, waxy solids. Laureth-4 is described as a clear, colourless liquid. It can be plant-derived or made synthetically, with both forms producing equivalent results. Laureth-4 has a proven track record of safety in cosmetics. In 2012, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reaffirmed its safety status. Despite misinformation found on the Internet, there’s no substantiated evidence that this ingredient is problematic for oily skin.