What a 5/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 5 is the top of the scale — highly likely to clog pores when used at meaningful concentration. That means Laureth-4 deserves attention if you break out easily, especially when it appears high on an ingredient list.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Laureth-4 near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Laureth-4
It is an emulsifier, the ingredient that keeps a product's oil and water phases from separating. A low-ethoxylate laureth emulsifier that scores high on both comedogenicity (5) and irritancy (4).
On a label it can read as Laureth-4, Laureth 4 — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Laureth-4 in makeup and skincare
It quietly stabilises most cream foundations, lotions, and moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 4/5, which is worth noting for sensitive or reactive skin.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Laureth-4 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-4
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).