What is PEG-75 Lanolin?
PEG-75 Lanolin is a lanolin-derived ingredient (from sheep's wool). A water-soluble lanolin derivative used as an emollient and conditioner, rated 3/5.
You may see it on labels as Peg-75 Lanolin, Peg 75 Lanolin, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.
Where PEG-75 Lanolin shows up
You'll most often find PEG-75 Lanolin in lip products, rich balms, and heavy moisturisers. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 2/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.
Is PEG-75 Lanolin bad for acne-prone skin?
PEG-75 Lanolin sits in the grey zone. Plenty of people tolerate it well; those who break out easily may prefer to keep it low on their ingredient lists.
Note for fungal-acne (malassezia) sufferers: PEG-75 Lanolin is commonly avoided in fungal-acne routines, since it falls into the fatty-acid or ester families the yeast can feed on. The evidence there is looser than for comedogenicity — see our fungal-acne checker for context.
Non-comedogenic alternatives
If you're avoiding PEG-75 Lanolin, these lower-risk ingredients serve a similar role and are gentler on pore-prone skin:
- Squalane — rated 1/5 (Low risk).
- Petrolatum — rated 0/5 (Low risk).