How do I check for lanolin?
Read the full ingredient list for the exact product you have. Look for lanolin and lanolin alcohol; wool alcohols is another term used for components of lanolin. A formula can contain petroleum jelly alongside other ingredients, so seeing petroleum jelly does not settle whether lanolin is also present. The ingredient list is the useful part of the packaging, even if the product name gets the larger font.12
Lanolin vs Vaseline: what is the difference?
| Feature | Plain petroleum jelly | Lanolin |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient identity | A separate ingredient from lanolin. | A mixture derived from secretions of sheep's sebaceous glands. |
| Role on skin | Forms a coating that helps retain existing moisture. | Also forms a coating that helps retain existing moisture. |
| Texture category | An occlusive: thick, greasy and not water soluble. | Also an occlusive. |
| Practical caution | Can cause breakouts in some people with acne prone skin. | Can cause allergic contact dermatitis, particularly after repeated exposure on damaged skin. |
If you need to avoid lanolin, choose a formula without lanolin or its derivatives rather than choosing by texture. Both ingredients can feel greasy, so texture is a poor ingredient detective.1
How should I use plain petroleum jelly for dryness?
- 1Wash with a gentle cleanser and warm, not hot, water.
- 2Pat your skin gently, leaving it damp.
- 3Apply petroleum jelly to dry areas while the skin is still damp. For dry eyelids, use a small amount.
Emollients without active ingredients can generally be reapplied whenever skin feels dry. Petroleum jelly helps hold onto existing moisture rather than adding water. If you use prescription creams, follow your clinician's layering instructions; some medicines need to go on before an emollient.1
What if I suspect a lanolin allergy?
Lanolin contact allergy is an allergic skin reaction that can develop after repeated or prolonged exposure, especially on damaged skin. A dermatologist can investigate it with patch testing. Seek medical advice for irritation, itching, redness or a rash, rather than treating a reaction as proof of which ingredient caused it. Introduce only one new emollient at a time so a reaction is easier to trace. If you are acne prone, avoid applying petroleum jelly to your face because it can cause breakouts in some people.123
Where this answer comes from
- 1Emollients: Creams, Soaps, Moisturizers, Ointments, Benefitsmy.clevelandclinic.org
- 2Diagnosing lanolin contact allergy with lanolin alcohol and Amerchol L101pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 35 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin careaad.org
