Ingredient · dataset v56
Lanolin Alcohol and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
A wool-wax mixture of sterols and long-chain aliphatic alcohols. The sterol half is not the issue; the long-chain fatty-alcohol half puts it in the same class as our trigger-1 cetyl/stearyl alcohols — consistency demands the same call.
No direct feeding study on lanolin alcohol itself; the flag rides on its fatty-alcohol content, stated openly. Eucerin/Aquaphor stay on hold.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Wax
Also listed as
Wool Wax Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohols
Products without this ingredient
- Torriden Dive In Toner 300 ml
- PanOxyl Acne Treatment Bar (Benzoyl Peroxide 10%)
- Medix 5.5 Glycolic + Lactic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash 15 oz
- Differin Maximum Strength Acne Foaming Cleanser (Benzoyl Peroxide 10%)
- Acure Dry Shampoo, Non Aerosol, Clean, 100% Vegan 1.7 oz Travel Size
- Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation SPF 15 In The Buff 10 g
Related wax
- Beeswax — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Candelilla Wax — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Carnauba Wax — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Lanolin Oil — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Propolis Cera — May trigger · Limited evidence
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Lanolin Alcohol trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (limited evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does Lanolin Alcohol feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Lanolin Alcohol as a potential trigger (limited evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Limited evidence: A wool-wax mixture of sterols and long-chain aliphatic alcohols. The sterol half is not the issue; the long-chain fatty-alcohol half puts it in the same class as our trigger-1 cetyl/stearyl alcohols — consistency demands the same call.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Lanolin Alcohol →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.