What Is Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin?
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin is a modified form of lanolin, the natural waxy substance obtained from sheep’s wool. To create it, raw lanolin is first purified then hydrogenated to make it more stable and less prone to oxidation. After that it is reacted with about 30 units of ethylene oxide, giving it polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains that let the material blend easily with water. This combination of a fatty lanolin base and water-loving PEG groups turns the original wax into a soft, semi-solid ingredient that disperses well in both oil and water.
Lanolin has been valued in skin care since the early 1900s for its protective feel and moisture-holding ability. As formulators looked for cleaner, easy-rinse versions, chemists developed PEG-modified grades in the 1950s and 60s. Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin quickly found favor because it kept the nurturing touch of classic lanolin yet no longer left a heavy, greasy film.
Today you will spot it in a wide range of products: facial cleansers, creamy body washes, all-in-one makeup removers, moisturizing lotions, hand creams, baby care balms, conditioning hair masks and color cosmetics that need a smooth, lasting feel.
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This versatile ingredient pulls double duty in many formulas
- Cleansing: The PEG side chains turn the waxy lanolin into a gentle surfactant that can surround oil, dirt and makeup so they rinse away with water. This gives cleansers a soft, conditioning clean that does not strip skin or hair.
- Emulsifying: Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin sits at the boundary between water and oil droplets, holding them together and stopping separation. This stabilizes creams and lotions, improves spreadability and delivers a smooth, velvety texture.
Who Can Use Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin
This ingredient suits most normal, dry and combination skin because it blends moisture-protecting fats with water-soluble groups that rinse clean. Oily or very acne-prone skin may find it too rich, as lanolin derivatives can sit in pores and feel heavy. People with a known wool or lanolin allergy should steer clear since even the refined form can trigger a reaction.
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin comes from sheep wool so it is not considered vegan. Vegetarians who are comfortable with animal-derived but cruelty-free substances may still choose to use it, while strict vegans will prefer plant-based alternatives.
Current safety assessments list no specific risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when the ingredient is used in cosmetics at typical levels. This is general information, not medical advice; anyone expecting or nursing should check with a healthcare professional before adding new products.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity, and it has no known interactions with sunscreen filters or other daily actives, making it suitable for daytime and nighttime routines.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin vary from person to person. The issues below are possible yet unlikely for the average user when the product is well formulated and used as directed.
- Allergic contact dermatitis – redness, itching or rash in individuals sensitive to lanolin or wool alcohols
- Mild skin irritation – temporary stinging or warmth, most often on very compromised or razor-burned skin
- Clogged pores or breakouts – mainly in those already prone to blackheads or acne
- Eye irritation – watering or slight sting if the ingredient gets directly into eyes when used in cleansers or makeup removers
If any of these reactions occur stop use immediately and seek advice from a qualified healthcare provider.
Comedogenic Rating
2/5 (low to moderate)
The PEG chains give the ingredient partial water solubility yet the underlying lanolin wax remains rich and can lodge in pores if skin is already oily. Most users experience no clogging but those with persistent acne or blackheads may notice bumps when formulas contain higher levels of this material.
Suitability for acne-prone skin is therefore situational – fine for many, better avoided by people who break out from heavier emollients.
Real-world behavior also depends on how much Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin is in the finished product and what other oils are paired with it, so always judge the full ingredient list rather than the single component.
Summary
Peg-30 Hydrogenated Lanolin cleanses by surrounding oil and dirt with its water-grabbing PEG side and emulsifies by anchoring itself between oil and water phases, keeping creams and lotions uniform and silky.
It is a quiet workhorse found in face washes, body creams and makeup removers. While not the trendiest ingredient on the shelf its balanced feel and reliability keep it in steady use by many formulators.
Safety assessments consider it non irritating for most people and free of major health concerns, yet the smartest approach is to patch test any new product that features it so your skin can confirm compatibility before full use.