Beauty Elixir

Animal wax

Is Lanolin comedogenic?

Comedogenic rating 2/5

Mildly, so most people are fine.

A highly occlusive wax from sheep's wool. It is great for cracked lips but can trigger allergies in some people.

Comedogenic
2 / 5
Irritancy
1 / 5
Fungal acne
Trigger
Type
Animal wax
INCI name
Lanolin
Also listed as
Wool Wax, Lanolin Anhydrous

Who should avoid it?

Suitable for most skin types. If you are very acne-prone, check where it sits in the ingredient list: the lower, the better.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Lanolin comedogenic?

Mildly, so most people are fine. Lanolin has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5. A highly occlusive wax from sheep's wool. It is great for cracked lips but can trigger allergies in some people.

Is Lanolin safe for fungal acne?

No. Lanolin can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.

Does Lanolin cause acne?

It is unlikely to. Breakouts usually come from other ingredients in the formula, or from non-cosmetic causes.

What are other names for Lanolin?

On labels it can also appear as Wool Wax or Lanolin Anhydrous.

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