Laureth-6 carboxylic acid

Laureth-6 carboxylic acid (CAS 27306-90-7) is an ethoxylated fatty acid surfactant derived from lauric acid, carrying six ethylene oxide units. It is commercially available under trade names including Akypo RLM 45, Akypo RLM 25, Akypo RLM 160, and Rlm 45. No E-code designation applies to this ingredient.

In personal care formulations, it functions as a mild anionic surfactant that provides foam boosting and emulsification in shampoos and facial cleansers, while its carboxylate head group enables pH-dependent solubility to support buffering in acidic systems. It also acts as a dispersing agent in rinse-off products, helping to solubilise oils and conditioning agents without disrupting formulation stability.

Laureth-6 carboxylic acid is supplied in liquid form and is subject to REACH registration requirements for EU market access. Procurement teams should confirm supplier REACH compliance documentation and Safety Data Sheets prior to ordering. Packaging formats vary by supplier, typically ranging from drums to IBC containers.