Lanolin: comedogenic rating 1-2/5
Quick answer
Rarely - pure lanolin rates only 1-2/5 on published scales, much lower than its rich, greasy feel suggests. The catch: some lanolin derivatives rate up to 5/5, so the family matters more than the word 'lanolin'.
Comedogenic rating
Functions
Surfactant · Antistatic · Skin conditioning · Emollient
Also listed as
Wool fat
What lanolin is
Lanolin is the wax-like secretion from sheep's wool, refined for cosmetic use. Chemically it is closer to the skin's own lipids than most plant ingredients, which is why it is superb at sealing in moisture - and why it is the hero ingredient in nipple creams and slugging balms.
Ingredient lists split it into many relatives: lanolin oil, lanolin wax, lanolin alcohol, acetylated lanolin, PEG-16 lanolin and more. They are not interchangeable when it comes to pore clogging.
Why the rating is lower than people expect
Classic comedogenic testing puts pure lanolin (and wool fat) at just 1-2 out of 5, and lanolin oil and wax even lower at 1. Despite its heavy feel, lanolin's chemistry does not oxidize or bind inside the follicle the way the highly rated esters do.
The reputation problem comes from the derivatives: lanolin acid rates 4-5/5, ethoxylated lanolin 3/5, and PEG-16 lanolin (sold as Solulan 16) 4/5. A 'lanolin-rich' face cream built on those derivatives is a very different risk than a lanolin lip balm.
Who should be careful
Used on lips, nipples or dry body patches, lanolin is a reasonable choice even for breakout-prone people. On the face, the risk depends entirely on which lanolin the formula uses - check whether the label says lanolin (fine for most) or one of the high-rated derivatives like PEG-16 lanolin or lanolin acid.
As with any occlusive, slathering a thick layer over active acne can trap sebum and slow healing regardless of the rating, so patch-test on a small area first.
Commonly found in
- Nipple creams and balms
- Lip balms and treatments
- Ultra-rich hand and foot creams
- Healing ointments
- Night masks and slugging products
Common questions
Will lanolin break me out?›
Possibly not. Pure lanolin rates just 1-2/5 on the comedogenic scale. If your skin tolerates rich occlusives, lanolin lip balms and targeted spot use are usually fine - but introduce them one at a time so you can tell what caused a reaction.
Is lanolin safe for slugging?›
It works well as a slugger for dry patches, and its low rating makes it safer for congestion-prone skin than many alternatives. Apply it as the final step over clean skin, and skip areas that are actively breaking out.
Which lanolin derivatives should acne-prone skin avoid?›
Lanolin acid (4-5/5), PEG-16 lanolin / Solulan 16 (4/5) and acetylated lanolin alcohol (4/5) all rate high. Ethoxylated lanolin sits at 3/5. Acetylated lanolin itself tested non-comedogenic (0/5) in Fulton's assay - the offender in that family is acetylated lanolin alcohol, which some lists confuse with it. Check the full ingredient list, not just for the word lanolin.
Related ingredients
Coconut Oil
Yes - coconut oil is highly comedogenic. It scores 4-5 out of 5 on published comedogenic scales (the Fulton assay rated coconut butter 4, practitioner lists rate unrefined oil 5) and is one of the most common pore-clogging ingredients found in moisturizers, cleansers and hair care.
Isopropyl Myristate
Yes - isopropyl myristate is one of the most comedogenic ingredients in cosmetics, rated 5/5. It is a synthetic ester used to make products feel lighter and spread better, and it is a well-documented breakout trigger.
Cetyl Alcohol
Mildly - cetyl alcohol rates 2/5, a low-to-moderate risk. Despite the name it is not the drying 'alcohol' in toners; it is a waxy fatty alcohol that thickens and stabilizes creams, and it is well tolerated by most skin, including many acne-prone people.
Squalane
No - squalane is about as close to non-comedogenic as an oil gets, rated 1/5 on published scales. It is one of the safest moisturizing oils for acne-prone skin and a common replacement for coconut oil and other heavy plant oils.