What a 1/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 1 sits at the safe end of the scale — clogging is unlikely for most people. That places Lanolin in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Lanolin, so we publish the range (1) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Lanolin near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Lanolin
It is a lanolin derivative, sourced from sheep's wool and known for deep, occlusive moisture. Plain lanolin is only mildly comedogenic (around 1), but its acetylated and ethoxylated derivatives are far higher, so the label wording matters. A known contact allergen for some.
On a label it can read as Lanolin, Wool Fat, Wool Wax, Lanolin Oil — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Lanolin in makeup and skincare
It is a classic in lipsticks, tinted balms, and heavy moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Lanolin is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lanolin comedogenic FAQ
Is Lanolin comedogenic?
Not usually. Lanolin is rated 1/5, which is low risk on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it is unlikely to clog pores for most people, including many with acne-prone skin. Sources disagree on Lanolin, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Lanolin?
Lanolin has a comedogenic rating of 1/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 132 rate higher than Lanolin, 28 rate lower, and 29 others share its 1/5. Among the 8 rated lanolin derivatives, 7 rate higher and none lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Lanolin pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 1/5, Lanolin sits in the range generally treated as non-comedogenic. Concentration still matters: an ingredient near the top of a label makes up far more of the product than one near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.