Lanolin (Wool Wax)
The question

Is Lanolin (Wool Wax) safe in lip balm?

CautionLip balm

A waxy substance secreted by sheep sebaceous glands used as an occlusive emollient. FDA recognizes it as safe; the CIR affirmed safety in 2005. However, the CIR initiated a re-evaluation in 2023 due to persistent allergenicity concerns. Contact allergy to lanolin, while less common than historically believed, remains a real consideration for sensitive individuals.

What the research flags

  • Allergenicity — contact allergy to lanolin reported; CIR re-evaluation underway (2023+)
  • Not vegan — animal-derived from sheep fleece
  • Historical overestimation of allergy prevalence now being reassessed by CIR

Regulatory
Lanolin allergy affects ~1% of population — common sensitizer

Other lip balm ingredients on file

Sources & references

  1. [1]
    DatabaseIngredient database — 703386-LANOLIN
  2. [2]
    DatabaseIngredient database
  3. [3]
    Peer-reviewedPubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · ref 22869896

Research disclaimer: Ratings reflect peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments available at the time of publication, not the dose or formulation of any specific lip balm product. This is not medical advice.