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).
Laureth-4 comedogenic FAQ
Is Laureth-4 comedogenic?
It can be. Laureth-4 is rated 5/5 (high risk) on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it has a real chance of clogging pores on acne-prone skin, especially high on an ingredient list.
What is the comedogenic rating of Laureth-4?
Laureth-4 has a comedogenic rating of 5/5 (high risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, none rate higher than Laureth-4, 177 rate lower, and 12 others share its 5/5. Among the 22 rated emulsifiers, none rate higher and 20 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Laureth-4 pore-clogging?
It is one of the more likely ones. At 5/5, Laureth-4 is in the high-risk band. It matters most when it appears near the top of an ingredient list, where it makes up a larger share of the product. 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.