PEG-60 Lanolin

What is PEG-60 Lanolin?

PEG-60 Lanolin derives from lanolin, a natural wax extracted from sheep's wool, chemically modified by adding 60 units of polyethylene glycol to enhance water solubility. This transformation creates a versatile ingredient commonly found in rinse-off products like shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It operates by reducing surface tension between water and oils, allowing effective mixing of ingredients that wouldn't normally blend. This enables the formation of stable emulsions and micelles that lift away dirt, sebum, and residues during cleansing. In formulations, it also aids in solubilizing fragrances and other hydrophobic components, improving product clarity and performance without leaving residue on skin or hair. Its mild nature stems from the ethoxylation process, which minimizes the allergenic proteins present in raw lanolin.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 1-3 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
Cleansing agent
Removes dirt, oil, and impurities by lowering surface tension and forming micelles, enabling soils to be lifted and rinsed away from skin, hair, or teeth.

Benefits

Helps create rich lather in shampoos and washes for thorough yet gentle cleansing.

Emulsifies oils and water for stable, easy-to-rinse formulations.

Solubilizes hard-to-dissolve ingredients like essential oils, enhancing product texture.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
Individuals seeking mild, foaming cleansers for daily use on normal skin.
Those with known allergies to lanolin or wool-derived ingredients.
People with dry hair or scalp preferring non-stripping surfactants.
People sensitive to ethoxylated compounds or PEG derivatives.
Users of shampoos and body washes needing effective dirt removal without irritation.
Individuals preferring completely plant-based or wool-free skincare products.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low hazard by EWG with scores from 1 to 3, indicating minimal concerns.
  • Deemed safe for cosmetic use by Cosmetic Ingredient Review based on available data.

Frequently Asked Questions about PEG-60 Lanolin

What is PEG-60 Lanolin made from?

It is lanolin from sheep wool modified with polyethylene glycol for better solubility in water-based products.

Is PEG-60 Lanolin safe for sensitive skin?

It generally shows low irritation in reviews, but patch test if you have lanolin sensitivities.

Does it cause breakouts?

With a comedogenic rating of 0, it is unlikely to clog pores.