Medela Purelan Lanolin Nipple Cream, 37 g
A plain, fragrance free lanolin cream that works well but is thick and fiddly to apply.
The short version
- Breastfeeding parents who want a fragrance free, one ingredient cream
- Anyone who prefers a cream the maker says can stay on during feeds
- People who also want a heavy balm for lips, cuticles or cracked heels
- You have a known lanolin or wool allergy
- You want a vegan or plant based balm
- You dislike thick, sticky textures
What owners like
- Feels protective and moisturizing once it is on
- No smell, since nothing is added to the lanolin
- Convenient that it can stay on between feeds
- Handy as a lip balm afterward
Common complaints
- Very thick and sticky, especially straight from the tube
- Stiffens when cold and needs warming between the fingers before it spreads
- Price feels high for a small tube
Based on Medela's product page, Aeroflow Breastpumps' listing and a Mumsnet parent tester review comparing several nipple creams.
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
- Jan 2023
First bought.
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
A single ingredient lanolin cream from Medela in a 37 g (1.3 oz) tube, sold for dry or sore nipples during breastfeeding.
- Single ingredient formula with nothing added
- Medela says there is no need to remove it before breastfeeding
- A pea sized amount per application, per the maker's directions
- Medela also lists chapped lips, dry hands, cuticles, elbows and heels as uses
A straightforward pick for parents who want a cream with one ingredient and no fragrance, which Medela says does not need to be wiped off before a feed. The main trade-off is texture: it is thick and sticky, and it stiffens in the cold, so it can be awkward to squeeze and spread.
How it compares
Specs
- Ingredient
- 100% lanolin, no additives, preservatives or fragrance
- Size
- 37 g (1.3 oz) tube; a 7 g travel tube is also sold
- Free lanolin alcohols
- Under 3% (maker figure)
- Testing
- Tested to European and United States Pharmacopoeia standards (maker statement)
- Skin testing
- Dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic (maker statement)
- Sourcing
- Lanolin from mulesing free farms (maker statement)
Worth knowing
- Medela states that anyone with a known lanolin allergy should avoid lanolin products, including Purelan.
Questions
Do you need to wipe off Medela Purelan before breastfeeding?
Medela says there is no need to remove it before feeding.
What is in Medela Purelan?
Only lanolin. Medela states there are no additives, preservatives or fragrance.
Why is Purelan hard to squeeze out?
Lanolin is thick and firms up in the cold. Warming a small amount between the fingers makes it easier to spread.
Can Purelan be used on lips or dry skin?
Yes. Medela lists chapped lips, dry hands, cuticles, elbows and cracked heels as other uses.
Is Purelan the same as Medela Tender Care?
No. Tender Care is a different Medela cream that lists added ingredients alongside lanolin. Purelan is 100% lanolin.
Sources
- Medela: Purelan lanolin cream
- Amazon: Medela Purelan Lanolin Nipple Cream, 37 g (product listing)
- Aeroflow Breastpumps: Medela Purelan Lanolin, 7 g
- Mumsnet: Medela Purelan Lanolin Nipple Cream review
- Stork Mama: What is the best nipple cream for breastfeeding?
Researched 2026-10-01. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.