Ingredient decoder

Lanolic acid: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Lanolin Acid

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Lanolin fatty acid used in cleansers and emulsions.

  • Cleansing
  • Emollient
  • Emulsifying
  • Surfactant

Lanolic acid in plain English

Lanolic acid is the mix of fatty acids taken from lanolin, used in soaps, cleansers and emulsions. It has moderate ratings on older comedogenic lists. Its rating comes from old rabbit-ear tests of the raw ingredient, which can overstate what happens with a finished product on human skin.

Is lanolic acid bad for acne?

It can be. Lanolic acid has a moderate clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. It has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 table and is flagged on classic comedogenic lists, often because of its chemical family. If you break out easily, check where it sits on the ingredient list: the higher it appears, the more of it the product usually contains.

Why it is flagged: A fatty acid from lanolin with moderate ratings on older lists.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Lanolin Acid
  • Lanolin fatty acids

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Frequently asked questions

Is lanolic acid comedogenic?

Lanolic acid has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear table, but it is flagged as a pore-clogger on classic comedogenic lists. A fatty acid from lanolin with moderate ratings on older lists.

What does lanolic acid do in skincare?

In short: lanolin fatty acid used in cleansers and emulsions. In formulas it is used for cleansing, emollient, emulsifying and surfactant.

What else is lanolic acid called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, lanolic acid can also appear as Lanolin Acid or Lanolin fatty acids.

Sources