Lanolin
Wax-like fat from sheep wool. A strong occlusive whose composition mirrors human skin lipids: it restores the barrier and heals cracks, especially on dry areas and nursing nipples.
Evidence by route
Topical application
Shown to lower TEWL and speed up healing of microdamage. Pure lanolin is FDA-approved for nipple cracks during breastfeeding. Acts as a contact allergen in roughly 1–5% of eczema patients.
- Vestergaard L et al. Contact Dermatitis. 1999;41(4):207-211. PMID 10515099
- Abou-Dakn M et al. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2011;24(1):27-35. PMID 20720454
How to read tiers A–F
- BLimited evidence. One RCT or several controlled studies with limitations
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Moderate
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry
- Use with caution
- Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Lanolin (Adeps Lanae) is a wax-like fat extracted from sheep wool during washing. Composition resembles human skin lipids: cholesterol esters, fatty alcohols, free sterols. Dermatology has used this similarity for over 100 years. Mechanism. Strong occlusive – forms a film on the skin reducing transepidermal water loss by 30–40%. Contains cholesterol that incorporates into the intercellular lipid matrix of the stratum corneum and helps restore the barrier in dermatitis, eczema, cracks. Where applied. Hand and body creams (5–25%), lip balms, nipple-crack products for breastfeeding (Lansinoh HPA Lanolin – the most known product), pharmaceutical bases. In Spain Lansinoh and Mustela Crema de Lactancia are popular. Evidence base. Cochrane Review 2014 showed that pure medical lanolin (HPA – Highly Purified Anhydrous) and expressed breast milk are equally effective for nipple cracks in nursing mothers. AAP and Spanish AEPED support use. In atopic dermatitis – a first-line emollient component. Safety. CIR confirmed safety. The main caveat – allergic contact dermatitis in 1–3% of eczema patients (higher in patients with venous leg ulcers – up to 7%). The reaction is caused by wool alcohol and lanolin alcohol impurities. HPA forms (Lansinoh) are purified to under 0.2% impurities – allergy risk is minimal. Comedogenicity controversy. The old Kligman 1972 nottocomedone test gave lanolin a rating of 1 – weakly comedogenic. Modern data (Draelos 2018) show pure HPA lanolin is non-comedogenic; comedones are caused by impurities and oxidized fractions in technical grades. Pregnancy and lactation – safe. One of the few ingredients approved for application on nipples before feeding without the need to wash off. NICE 2024 and Lactmed confirm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lanolin safe during pregnancy?
Lanolin is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Lanolin for?
Lanolin suits: normal, dry. Use with caution in: oily, sensitive.
What is Lanolin and what does it do in cosmetics?
Wax-like fat from sheep wool.
Is Lanolin comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 1/5 – very low comedogenicity. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Lanolin?
The INCI name is Lanolin. It may also appear as: Wool Wax, Adeps Lanae.
See Lanolin in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
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