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 Sodium Laureth Sulfate 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 Sodium Laureth Sulfate near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Sodium Laureth Sulfate
It is a surfactant — a cleansing or foaming agent that lifts oil and grime. A milder ethoxylated cousin of SLS, rated 3/5. Primarily used in rinse-off cleansers.
On a label it can read as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sles — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate in makeup and skincare
It appears in cleansers, micellar waters, and makeup-removing washes. Its irritancy is rated separately at 2/5, which is low.
Lower-rated alternatives to Sodium Laureth Sulfate
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
Sodium Laureth Sulfate comedogenic FAQ
Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate comedogenic?
Moderately. Sodium Laureth Sulfate 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 Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Sodium Laureth Sulfate, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 5 rated surfactants, 1 rates higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Sodium Laureth Sulfate 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.