Characteristics
- INCI
- Lanolin
- CAS
-
8006-54-0
This is the substance number in the Chemical Abstracts Service registry. The CAS number uniquely identifies a substance regardless of language, trade name, or synonyms.
- EC
-
232-348-6
This is the substance number in the European chemical identification system (EC number), used in European regulatory databases including ECHA/CosIng.
- Functions
- antistatic, emollient, emulsifying, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, surfactant
- Irritancy
-
0 / 5
Irritation potential: 0–5, where 5 is the highest irritation rating for the ingredient.
More detail → - Comedogen.
-
0-1 / 5
Comedogenicity index: 0–5. A non-comedogenic ingredient (0–1) is unlikely to cause cosmetic acne.
More detail →
Who it's for
Description
Lanolin is a waxy, naturally derived ingredient that comes from sheep’s wool. In skincare and haircare, it’s prized for being an excellent emollient and occlusive, meaning it helps soften rough, dry areas and reduce water loss from the skin’s surface. You’ll often find it in rich creams, lip balms, ointments, hand treatments, and some hair products where a cushiony, protective feel is useful.
For skin, lanolin can be especially helpful when things feel dry, tight, or chapped, since it leaves a comforting, sealed-in moisture effect. In hair products, it may add softness, shine, and a smoother feel to coarse or very dry strands. People with dry skin, hands, lips, or textured hair often appreciate it most. That said, lanolin isn’t for everyone: some people find it too heavy, and a small number may be sensitive or allergic to it, so patch testing is a smart idea if you’re prone to reactions.
Products with Lanolin (1 269 total)
Most often found in Burt's Bees products (29 items)
