Lanolin.
Also known as: wool wax, wool grease, adeps lanae, lanolin alcohol, acetylated lanolin
A natural waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep to waterproof their wool. Lanolin is an excellent emollient used in lip balms, nipple creams, and moisturizers, but it is a common allergen and may contain pesticide residues from sheep dipping.
By the numbers.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.
Risk by usage.
How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with Lanolin.
Low risk for non-allergic individuals. Excellent moisturizer when tolerated.
Daily use is fine for those without lanolin sensitivity. Monitor for redness or irritation.
Low concern for tolerant individuals. Allergic individuals should avoid completely.
What the research says.
Common contact allergen affecting an estimated 1-6% of the general population. Cross-reacts with wool alcohol allergy.
Contact Dermatitis, 2001 — lanolin allergy prevalence in patch-tested patients
May contain pesticide residues from organophosphate and pyrethroid sheep dips, depending on sourcing.
Cosmetic-grade lanolin can be contaminated with detergent residues from the purification process.
Global status.
How lanolin is regulated in cosmetics around the world.
The reason brands include it.
Superb emollient that closely mimics human skin lipids. Creates a protective, moisturizing barrier and softens dry, cracked skin.
26
products in our database
10
brands use it
3
product categories
Better alternatives exist. Brands choose lanolin because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like shea butter, cocoa butter, plant-derived squalane deliver similar results without the health concerns.
Lanolin in product types.
Click a category to see every product containing lanolin.
Products Containing Lanolin
These popular products list lanolin in their ingredient labels. Tap any card to see the full breakdown.
And 14 more products in our database.
Compared to Numbrrrz.
Here’s how the lowest-scoring product containing lanolin compares.
Carmex Cherry Lip Balm
Carmex
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
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What to use instead.
What Numbrrrz uses instead
Numbrrrz is lanolin-free. Our lip balms use Organic Coconut Oil and Organic Jojoba Oil for emollient moisture, and Organic Beeswax for barrier protection — no lanolin allergen risk.
Quick answers.
Is lanolin safe for lips?
Is lanolin vegan?
Can lanolin contain pesticides?
What are the symptoms of lanolin allergy?
What are other names for lanolin on labels?
Does Numbrrrz use lanolin?
How these brands stack up.
Brands that use lanolin — see how they compare.