Laureth-2  is a chemical compound, alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG) ether of ethoxylated lauryl alcohol (4 mol).

It appears in the form of a white powder.

Laureths belong to the family of alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG) ethers, compounds produced by the reaction of lauryl alcohol and one or more ethylene oxide equivalents.

Safety. 

The term 'eth' refers to the ethoxylation reaction with ethylene oxide after which residues of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, may remain. The degree of safety therefore depends on the degree of purity of the compound obtained. At present, no manufacturer is known to provide this information on the label.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Emulsifiers have the property to reduce the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improve emulsion stability and also directly influence the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating their filmometric performance.

Antistatic agent. Static electricity build-up has a direct influence on products and causes electrostatic adsorption. The antistatic ingredient reduces static build-up and surface resistivity on the surface of the skin and hair.

Deodorant agent. When substances that give off an unpleasant odour are included in cosmetic formulations (typical examples are methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulphide derived from garlic), deodorants attenuate or eliminate the unpleasant exhalation.

Laureth-2 studies

Molecular Formula: C₁₆H₃₄O₃

Molecular Weight:  274.445 g/mol

UNII: D4D38LT1L5

CAS:  9002-92-0,  3055-93-4

EC Number: 221-279-7

Synonyms:

• Diethylene glycol monododecyl ether
• 2-(2-Dodecyloxyethoxy)ethanol
• 2-(2-(Dodecyloxy)ethoxy)ethanol
• Lauryl alcohol mono(oxyethylene) ethanol
• Diethylene glycol monodecyl ether
• 2-(2-Decyloxyethoxy)ethanol
• 2-[2-(Dodecyloxy)ethoxy]ethanol
• AZLWQVJVINEILY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• Ethanol, 2-(2-(dodecyloxy)ethoxy)-
• Ethanol, 2-[2-(dodecyloxy)ethoxy]-
• 2-(2-dodecyloxyethoxy)ethan-1-ol
• Diethylene glycol dodecyl ether
• LA 2 (alcohol)
• Dodecyl diethylene glycol
• Diethyleneglycol lauryl ether
• 2-(2-dodecoxyethoxy)ethanol
• Decyldiglycol
• Dodecyldiglycol
• Bis(oxyethylene) dodecyl ether