Ingredient glossary
Lanolin
On your shelf ✓What Lanolin does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Lanolin · Also: Wool Wax, Hydrous Wool Fat
In short: Lanolin delivers barrier support and softening, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Barrier support, softening
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Strong
The Glow take
Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.
When your goal is deep, lasting hydration, Lanolin pulls genuine weight, and the research properly backs it up. Introduce it gently, and pair it with something soothing if your skin runs sensitive.
— Maya
What it does
- barrier support
- softening
strong evidencePatch test and epidemiologic studies show lanolin allergy prevalence around one to seven percent in dermatitis populations leading to its designation as an allergen of the year despite long history of barrier benefit.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- very dry
- compromised barrier
- normal
Approach with care
- direct lanolin allergy
- acne prone
- very oily
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilyTake care
- SensitiveSuits
Often chosen for compromised barrier. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: direct lanolin allergy, acne prone.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- ceramides
- humectants
Lanolin, answered
Is Lanolin safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Lanolin is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Lanolin?
Approach Lanolin with care if any of these apply to you: direct lanolin allergy, acne prone, and very oily. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first. It carries a moderate risk of clogging pores, so acne-prone skin should go carefully.
What concentration of Lanolin actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
Does it clog pores?
Plain lanolin rates low to moderate; acetylated lanolin derivatives rate high.
- This rating comes from old lab tests on the isolated ingredient, not the finished product.
- The full formula, how much is used, and your own skin all matter more than one number.
- If you are acne-prone it is worth noticing, not a reason to avoid it on sight.
Checking a whole product? Paste its list into the pore-clogging checker →
During pregnancy
Treat Lanolin as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
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