Lanolin is an oil secreted by sheep into their wool to protect it from soaking too much water into the coat. Once wool has been sheared from the sheep the lanolin can be extracted and is used in lots of cosmetics, medications and industrial applications.

It is also called wool wax, wool alcohol, wool fat and wool grease. It is the alcohol component of lanolin which can act as an irritant, but it also contains fatty acids, sterols and hydrocarbons.

It is more likely to affect those with broken skin or a predisposition to dermatitis and eczema. It affects those that shear sheep, milk sheep or process their wool more than the general population.

Lanolin is associated with allergic contact dermatitis.

To date there is no information on cross reactivity with any other products.

You can find the most up to date information on the Cross Reactivity Tool.

Let me know if you found any of these interesting or useful. If you spot an article or research that you think is interesting you can message me or tag me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - links at the bottom of the page.