Lanolin is a refined derivative of the unctuous fat-like sebaceous secretion of sheep.
- Skin barrier B-
- Dryness B-
- Set amount
- 12.5–50% (FDA skin protectant monograph)
- When
- evening
- Irritation
- low
Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.
How much products actually contain
1 products state the amountmedian 0.0001%0% at or above the amount studies used (12.5–50% (FDA skin protectant monograph))
- under 0.01% 1
- 0.01–0.1% 0
- 0.1–1% 0
- 1% or more 0
Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.
Of the products containing it, 35 list it before the 1% line and 15 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 56% of the time, one listing it late about 5%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- B
- one or two randomised trials
Avoid it if you are allergic to lanolin.
1 references
- FDA OTC monograph M016, skin protectant active ingredients
Products using this ingredient
12 of 47 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 47
Elizabeth ArdenElizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream Skin Protectant Lightly Scented56% chance of enough
BeardbrandBeardbrand Old Money Mustache Wax56% chance of enough
BeardbrandBeardbrand Temple Smoke Mustache Wax56% chance of enough
BeardbrandBeardbrand Tree Ranger Mustache Wax56% chance of enough
American CrewAmerican Crew CREAM POMADE56% chance of enough
American CrewAmerican Crew GROOMING CREAM56% chance of enough
Martina GebhardtAvocado Eye Cream 15ml56% chance of enough
Elizabeth ArdenElizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream Skin Protectant56% chance of enough
Elizabeth ArdenElizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream Skin Protectant Nighttime Miracle Moisturizer56% chance of enough
BeardbrandBeardbrand Bold Fortune Beard Balm56% chance of enough
BeardbrandBeardbrand Norse Winter Beard Balm56% chance of enough
BeardbrandBeardbrand Old Money Beard Balm56% chance of enough
Definition
Lanolin is a refined derivative of the unctuous fat-like sebaceous secretion of sheep. It consists of a highly complex mixture of esters of high molecular weight aliphatic, steroid or triterpenoid alcohols and fatty acids
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance
Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
Reviewed by CIR: Annual Review of Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Assessments - 2002/2003
Reviewed by CIR: Final Report: Amended Safety Assessment of Lanolin-Derived Ingredients
Reviewed by CIR: Final Report of the Safety Assessement for Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol and Related Compounds
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name ラノリン: 本品は、ヒツジOvis ariesの皮脂分泌物を精製したものである。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 8006-54-0
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 232-348-6
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID2027678
Measured properties
- Appearance
- solid
- Melting/freezing point
- 38~42 ℃
- Flash point
- 209 ℃
- Relative density
- 0.932 (0.932~0.945 at 15℃)
- n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
- 15.6
- Auto-ignition temperature
- 445 ℃
Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
What products actually use it for
What the 80 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Softener and conditioner28
- Humectant11
- Emulsifier10
- Binder7
- Anti-static agent6
- Surfactant (surface active agent)6
- Film former5
- Lubricating agent2
5 other uses
- Flavouring and nutrient1
- Stabilizing agent1
- Fragrance1
- Solvent1
- Processing aids not otherwise specified1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- Lanolin Derivatives and Their Applications · 2001
- Lanolin · 2023
- The impact of refinement on the sensory properties of lanolin · 2023
- Addendum to the Final Report on the Safety Assessment of PEGs Lanolin to Include PEG-5, -10, -24, -25, -35, -55, -100, and -150 Lanolin; PEG-5, -10, -20, -24, -30, and -70 Hydrogenated Lanolin; PEG-75 Lanolin Oil; and PEG-75 Lanolin Wax1 · 1999
- Addendum to the final report on the safety assessment of PEGs Lanolin to include PEG-5, -10, -24, -25, -35, -55, -100, and -150 lanolin; PEG-5, -10, -20, -24, -30, and -70 Hydrogenated lanolin; PEG-75 Lanolin Oil; and PEG-75 Lanolin Wax · 1999
Linked databases 15
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2 3 4
- US EPA CompTox dashboard
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · Korean · English · Japanese · Chinese