Is laureth-21 safe for baby skin?
Reviewed by VeriMom Editorial Team · Last reviewed
Baby skin
laureth-21
NO KNOWN RISKS93
/100
Also relevant: pregnancy safety
Want to know if laureth-21 is also safe during pregnancy?
Is laureth-21 safe during pregnancy? →Gentle products containing laureth-21

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Sources & references
Authoritative references used to score this ingredient.
Ingredients — Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients Database — 28,000+ Ingredients Rated
See also
Frequently asked questions
- Is laureth-21 safe for baby skin?
- No infant-specific hazard data indicating developmental effects; CIR/class data negative for reproductive/developmental toxicity. However, topical absorption on infant (0–3 y) skin can be higher than adults; because Laureth‑21 is a PEG‑ether surfactant with measurable dermal availability in formulations, exposure (e) is increased by one for baby skin compared with adults. Primary infant concerns remain local irritation and impurity residues rather than systemic teratogenicity. (CIR; CosmeticsInfo).
- Is laureth-21 safe for newborns?
- No infant-specific hazard data indicating developmental effects; CIR/class data negative for reproductive/developmental toxicity. However, topical absorption on infant (0–3 y) skin can be higher than adults; because Laureth‑21 is a PEG‑ether surfactant with measurable dermal availability in formulations, exposure (e) is increased by one for baby skin compared with adults. Primary infant concerns remain local irritation and impurity residues rather than systemic teratogenicity. (CIR; CosmeticsInfo).
- Can I use laureth-21 on a baby under 6 months?
- We don't have baby-skin-specific data for laureth-21. Stick to ingredients we've marked no known risks for babies until more evidence is available.
- What are safer alternatives to laureth-21 for babies?
- See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to laureth-21 based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.
- How does VeriMom rate laureth-21 for baby skin?
- VeriMom scores laureth-21 at 93/100 (no known risks) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.
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Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Safety scores are based on publicly available data and may not reflect all risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any product during pregnancy or breastfeeding.