Ingredient guide

Lanolin: The Wool-Derived Moisturiser That Some Skin Reacts To

Lanolin is a natural emollient from sheep's wool, brilliant for dry skin but an allergen for some. Here's what it is, who reacts, and the names it hides under.

What it is

Lanolin is a waxy substance from sheep’s wool. It is an excellent emollient and occlusive, locking moisture into very dry or cracked skin, which is why it appears in lip balms, nipple creams and rich ointments.

Who tends to react

Most people tolerate lanolin well, and for very dry skin it can be genuinely soothing. But it is a recognised contact allergen, and people with eczema, leg ulcers or chronically broken skin are more likely to become sensitised. Reactions are the delayed, itchy, contact-dermatitis type.

A note for nursing parents

Lanolin is a common ingredient in nipple creams. If a reaction appears in that context, lanolin is worth considering as a possible cause, and a fragrance-free, lanolin-free alternative may suit better.

Where it hides

Lip balms, nipple and nappy creams, heavy moisturisers and some makeup. Look for Lanolin, Lanolin alcohol, Wool wax/grease, or trade names like Amerchol.

Check products against your list

To check a product, SkinSAFE lets you filter a product catalogue to screen out lanolin and other allergens, and a free browser extension like Clearya flags ingredients of concern automatically as you shop online. These rate a product on general criteria rather than against your own list.

Once you know what you are screening for, a personal-list app like ClearaScan lets you save lanolin once and scan any product to flag only your triggers. It also keeps a Reaction Journal for flare-ups, a shared Care Circle so family or carers can scan for you, and a Trusted Products list for items you have cleared, and it is currently in early access. (Disclosure: our editor co-founded ClearaScan, and we are not paid to mention the others.)

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A note on this content. The Sensitive Skin Lab publishes general educational information, not medical advice. If you suspect you have an allergy or sensitivity, consult a qualified dermatologist or allergist. Product formulations and labels change without notice, so always check the ingredients on the product itself.