What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Laureth-23 squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Laureth-23 near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Laureth-23
It is an emulsifier, the ingredient that keeps a product's oil and water phases from separating. A higher-ethoxylate laureth used as a solubiliser, rated 3/5.
On a label it can read as Laureth-23, Laureth 23 — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Laureth-23 in makeup and skincare
It quietly stabilises most cream foundations, lotions, and moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Laureth-23 is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lower-rated alternatives to Laureth-23
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Glyceryl Stearate — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Cetearyl Alcohol — comedogenic rating 2/5 (Low risk).
Laureth-23 comedogenic FAQ
Is Laureth-23 comedogenic?
Moderately. Laureth-23 is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin.
What is the comedogenic rating of Laureth-23?
Laureth-23 has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Laureth-23, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 22 rated emulsifiers, 3 rate higher and 9 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Laureth-23 pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Laureth-23 is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.