Mea-laureth-6 carboxylates (inci)

MEA-laureth-6 carboxylate is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids like water and oil so that they can be mixed together) and as surfactant.

MEA is the acronym for monoethanolamide; laureth(s) are the polyoxyethylene ethers of lauryl alcohol (for comparison see: steareth as polyoxyethylene ether of stearyl alcohol and others). Polyalkylene glycol ethers are non-ionic surfactants whose lipophilic part consists of fatty alcohols (e.g. lauryl alcohol, palmitic alcohol, stearyl alcohols, etc.). The hydrophilic part is formed by short-chain polyethylene glycols (polyoxyethylene).