What Is Peg-27 Lanolin?
Peg-27 Lanolin is a form of lanolin that has been chemically joined with about 27 units of ethylene oxide. Lanolin itself is a natural waxy material obtained from sheep’s wool during the cleaning of raw fleece. By adding ethylene oxide, chemists turn thick sticky lanolin into a lighter water-friendly ingredient that blends more easily with other cosmetic ingredients. This modification was first explored in the mid-20th century as brands looked for gentler alternatives to harsh soaps. Today Peg-27 Lanolin is produced in controlled factory settings where purified lanolin reacts with measured amounts of ethylene oxide then gets filtered and tested for purity.
You will most often spot Peg-27 Lanolin in face cleansers, cream or milk cleansers, micellar waters, makeup removers, moisturizers, shaving foams and some rinse-off masks. Its mix of oil-loving and water-loving parts lets it sit at the meeting point of oils and water, making it a useful workhorse in everyday formulas.
Peg-27 Lanolin’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In a formula Peg-27 Lanolin mainly plays two roles that help products look feel and perform better:
- Cleansing: Its balanced structure lifts away dirt oil and makeup then lets them rinse off with water leaving skin feeling fresh but not stripped
- Emulsifying: It helps keep oil and water mixed so creams stay smooth and stable over time which means a consistent texture and longer shelf life for the product
Who Can Use Peg-27 Lanolin
Peg-27 Lanolin is generally well tolerated by most skin types. Its balanced oil-to-water profile helps cleanse without leaving a heavy residue, making it suitable for normal, combination and dry skin. Oily or acne-prone users can usually use it too because the ingredient rinses cleanly, though those who are extremely prone to breakouts may prefer lighter surfactants.
People with very sensitive or eczema-prone skin should proceed with caution because lanolin derivatives can occasionally trigger irritation or an allergic response in this group. Patchy redness or itching after past exposure to wool or lanolin-based ointments can be a clue that avoidance is best.
Peg-27 Lanolin comes from sheep wool so it is not considered vegan. Vegetarians who consume animal by-products may be comfortable with it, but strict vegans will want to avoid formulas that list this ingredient.
No specific warnings exist for pregnant or breastfeeding women when Peg-27 Lanolin is used topically in cosmetics. The amounts applied to skin are very small and systemic absorption is minimal. That said this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should check with a healthcare professional before starting new skincare products.
Peg-27 Lanolin does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and it can be used day or night without affecting SPF performance. It is also fragrance free by nature so it rarely clashes with other scented components in a routine.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Peg-27 Lanolin vary from person to person. The following points list potential side effects but most users will not experience them when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as directed.
- Allergic contact dermatitis – redness itching or rash in individuals sensitized to lanolin
- General skin irritation – stinging or mild burning if the skin barrier is already compromised
- Clogged pores – very oily or acne-prone skin may notice bumps if the rest of the formula is overly rich
- Eye irritation – watering or discomfort if cleanser or foam accidentally enters the eyes
- Sensitivity to residual impurities – trace amounts of processing by-products like 1,4-dioxane can occasionally provoke irritation in highly reactive skin though reputable brands keep such residues well below safety limits
If any persistent irritation swelling or rash develops discontinue use and seek advice from a dermatologist or healthcare provider.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 2 out of 5
Raw lanolin can sit around a 2 to 3 on most comedogenic scales. Turning it into Peg-27 Lanolin adds many water-loving groups that help it rinse away more easily, which drops the likelihood of it lingering in pores. Because of that extra rinse-off power and its common use in wash-off products, it earns a mild score of 2.
Most people who get the odd breakout should be able to use Peg-27 Lanolin without trouble, especially in cleansers that do not stay on the skin for long. Those with very stubborn, heavily clogged skin might still prefer lighter options.
Keep in mind that the finished formula matters as much as the single ingredient. A rich cream loaded with heavy oils could still trigger bumps even if Peg-27 Lanolin itself is only mildly comedogenic.
Summary
Peg-27 Lanolin works as a cleansing agent and an emulsifier. Its split personality—part oil-friendly, part water-friendly—lets it grab onto makeup and grime then mix them with water so they slide off the skin. The same trait helps keep oil and water blended in creams and foams so the product stays smooth and stable.
The ingredient is a quiet helper rather than a headline act. It shows up in a fair number of cleansers and shaving foams but is not as trendy as plant-based surfactants or new-age polymers.
Safety profiles and regulatory reviews rate Peg-27 Lanolin as low risk for most users. Issues are mainly limited to those who already know they react to lanolin or who are extremely acne-prone. As with any new skincare product, doing a quick patch test on a small area is the safest way to check personal tolerance.