Laureth-10 is a chemical compound, alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG (Polyethylene glycol)) ether of ethoxylated lauryl alcohol (10 mol).
The name defines the structure of the molecule:
- "Laureth-10" is a term derived from "lauryl ether" with 10 units of ethylene oxide.
- Lauril refers to the 12-carbon lauril group derived from lauric acid, a medium-chain saturated fatty acid found in various oils and fats.
- eth indicates that the lauril group is connected to the ethylene oxide units by an ethereal bond, that is, an oxygen atom connected to two carbon-containing groups.
- The number 10 after "Laureth" indicates that on average there are 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule. Ethylene oxide is a gas used in the production of various surfactants and detergents.
The synthesis process takes place in several stages:
- Ethoxylation: It is the key step in the production of the Laureth-10. In this process, lauril alcohol reacts with ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst, usually a strong base. Ethylene oxide units attach to the lauril group through an ethereal bond. The number of ethylene oxide units added can be checked to obtain products with different properties.
- Purification: The product mixture is then purified to remove unreacted materials and by-products. These are usually distillation and/or filtration processes.
- Quality control: The final product is tested to ensure compliance with the required specifications. This may include tests of purity, color, odor and other physical and chemical properties.
Laureths belong to the family of alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG (Polyethylene glycol)) ethers, compounds produced by the reaction of lauryl alcohol and one or more ethylene oxide equivalents.
It appears as colourless liquid.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Molecular Formula C32H66O11
Molecular Weight 626.869 g/mol
CAS 6540-99-4
EC number 500-002-6 500-182-6
Synonyms:
- PEG10-dodecyl
- Anapoe-C12E10
- 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27,30-Decaoxadotetracontan-1-ol
- Decaethylene glycol monododecyl ether
- SCHEMBL60986
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And a premise on PEG.
Since the PEG (1) family is numerous and is found in many cosmetic, cleaning and medicinal products and others, we need a cognitive premise on the subject that is rather complex from the point of view of safety because these products not only come into contact with the skin but, as in the case of medicine, they are also ingested.
PEG or polyethylene glycols polymerise the condensed ethylene oxide and water and are called polyethylene glycols, but in reality, they are complex chemical components, polymers bound together. For example, plastic is polyethylene and has a hard consistency, while polyethylene aggregated to the glycol forms a liquid.
The number that appears after the initials PEG represents the molecular weight and the higher this number is, the less it penetrates the skin.
Here below are some studies in Medicine that refer to the use of PEG Polyethylene glycol in various fields.
Intestine
Polyethylene glycol with or without electrolytes is effective for the treatment of functional constipation, both in adults and in paediatric patients, with great safety and tolerability. These preparations are the most effective osmotic laxatives (more than lactulose) and are the first-line treatment for functional constipation in the short- and long-term. They are as effective as enemas in faecalomas, avoid the need for hospitalisation and are well tolerated by patients (especially when given without electrolytes) (2).
In the preparation for colonoscopy, polyethylene glycol tablets confirmed efficacy, acceptability, tolerance and safety similar to those of sodium phosphate (3).
For peripheral nerve repair (4).
Eyes
Dry eye syndrome is a disorder that affects 5-34% of the world's adult population with reduced quality of life. Artificial or lubricating tears are the most used therapy for treating this condition due to their low side effects profile, which attempt to modify the properties of the tear film. Polyethylene glycol has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of this condition (5).
Brain
Polyethylene glycol facilitates the neuroprotective effects of magnesium in head injuries (6).
Tumors
For transarterial chemoembolization, Polyethylene glycol is effective and safe for the treatment of liver cancer, as indicated by good tolerability, quality of life and high tumour response (7).
Cosmetics
Many types of PEG are hydrophilic and are used as creams, topical dermatological preparations and in cosmetic products such as surfactants, emulsifiers, detergents, humectants and skin conditioners.
Safety varies from type to type given the structural complexity (8).
References___________________________________________________________________
(1) Fruijtier-Pölloth C. Safety assessment on polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and their derivatives as used in cosmetic products. Toxicology. 2005 Oct 15;214(1-2):1-38. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2005.06.001.
(2) Mínguez M, López Higueras A, Júdez J. Use of polyethylene glycol in functional constipation and fecal impaction. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2016 Dec;108(12):790-806. doi: 10.17235/reed.2016.4571/2016.
Santos-Jasso KA, Arredondo-García JL, Maza-Vallejos J, Lezama-Del Valle P. Effectiveness of senna vs polyethylene glycol as laxative therapy in children with constipation related to anorectal malformation. J Pediatr Surg. 2017 Jan;52(1):84-88. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2016.10.021.
(3) Chaussade S, Schmöcker C, Toulemonde P, Muñoz-Navas M, O'Mahony V, Henri F. Phosphate tablets or polyethylene glycol for preparation to colonoscopy? A multicentre non-inferiority randomized controlled trial. Surg Endosc. 2017 May;31(5):2166-2173. doi: 10.1007/s00464-016-5214-1.
Tsunoda T, Sogo T, Iwasawa K, Umetsu S, Oikawa-Kawamoto M, Inui A, Fujisawa T. Feasibility and safety of bowel cleansing using low-volume polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid before pediatric colonoscopy: A pilot study. Dig Endosc. 2017 Mar;29(2):160-167. doi: 10.1111/den.12756.
(4) Hoffman AN, Bamba R, Pollins AC, Thayer WP. Analysis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) fusion in cultured neuroblastoma cells via flow cytometry: Techniques & optimization. J Clin Neurosci. 2017 Feb;36:125-128. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2016.10.032.
(5) Pérez-Balbuena AL, Ochoa-Tabares JC, Belalcazar-Rey S, Urzúa-Salinas C, Saucedo-Rodríguez LR, Velasco-Ramos R, Suárez-Sánchez RG, Rodríguez-Carrizalez AD, Oregón-Miranda AA. Efficacy of a fixed combination of 0.09 % xanthan gum/0.1 % chondroitin sulfate preservative free vs polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol in subjects with dry eye disease: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. BMC Ophthalmol. 2016 Sep 20;16(1):164. doi: 10.1186/s12886-016-0343-9.
Labetoulle M, Messmer EM, Pisella PJ, Ogundele A, Baudouin C. Safety and efficacy of a hydroxypropyl guar/polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol-based lubricant eye-drop in patients with dry eye. Br J Ophthalmol. 2017 Apr;101(4):487-492. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2016-308608.
(6) Busingye DS, Turner RJ, Vink R. Combined Magnesium/Polyethylene Glycol Facilitates the Neuroprotective Effects of Magnesium in Traumatic Brain Injury at a Reduced Magnesium Dose. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016 Oct;22(10):854-9. doi: 10.1111/cns.12591.
(7) Aliberti C, Carandina R, Sarti D, Mulazzani L, Catalano V, Felicioli A, Coschiera P, Fiorentini G. Hepatic Arterial Infusion of Polyethylene Glycol Drug-eluting Beads for Primary and Metastatic Liver Cancer Therapy. Anticancer Res. 2016 Jul;36(7):3515-21.
(8) Jang HJ, Shin CY, Kim KB. Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use. Toxicol Res. 2015 Jun;31(2):105-36. doi: 10.5487/TR.2015.31.2.105.
Laureth-10 
