The short answer is yes, alpaca wool is widely considered hypoallergenic. But that word gets thrown around a lot, and it doesn't mean what most people think it means. So let's break down the actual science behind why alpaca sits in a completely different category from sheep wool when it comes to allergies and skin irritation.
Why Most People React to Wool
When someone says they're "allergic to wool," they're usually reacting to one of two things: lanolin or fiber coarseness. Sometimes both.
Lanolin is the greasy, yellowish wax that sheep produce to waterproof their fleece. It's in virtually every sheep wool product unless it's been chemically stripped out during processing. For most folks, lanolin is harmless. But for a significant percentage of the population, it triggers contact dermatitis—that itchy, red, sometimes blistering reaction you get from direct skin contact.
The other culprit is fiber diameter. Standard sheep wool fibers measure anywhere from 25 to 45 microns across. Research published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that fibers thicker than 30 microns are stiff enough to press into skin and activate nerve endings, producing that familiar prickly, itching sensation. It's a mechanical irritation, not a true allergy, but it feels miserable either way.
So you've got a chemical irritant (lanolin) combined with a physical one (coarse fibers). No wonder so many people write off all animal fibers and stick to synthetics.
What Makes Alpaca Different
Alpaca fiber sidesteps both of these problems. And it's not because of some fancy processing technique—it's just how the animal grows its fleece.
First, the lanolin issue: alpacas don't produce it. Their fiber contains little to no lanolin, which immediately removes the most common trigger for wool-related contact dermatitis. You won't find that waxy coating on alpaca yarn or finished garments. This also means alpaca doesn't need the harsh chemical scouring that sheep wool requires before spinning, so there are fewer processing residues to irritate sensitive skin.
Second, the fiber structure itself is smoother. Alpaca fibers have a lower scale height on their surface compared to sheep wool. Think of sheep wool fibers like roof shingles with raised, jagged edges. Alpaca fibers are more like overlapping tiles that sit flatter. That smoother profile means less friction against your skin and fewer of those micro-pokes that cause itching.
There's a third advantage that doesn't get mentioned enough: alpaca fiber is naturally antimicrobial. Without lanolin creating a sticky surface, bacteria and dust mites have a harder time colonizing the fiber. If you react to dust mites (a very common allergy), alpaca products may bother you far less than sheep wool or even some synthetics that trap dust and allergens.
Worth Noting
No textile is guaranteed allergen-free for every person. A tiny percentage of people do react to alpaca, usually due to sensitivity to animal proteins in general rather than lanolin specifically. If you have severe fiber allergies, try wearing a small swatch against your inner wrist for 30 minutes before committing to a full garment.
Baby Alpaca for Extra Sensitivity
If standard alpaca already sounds promising, baby alpaca takes things further. Despite the name, "baby alpaca" doesn't necessarily come from young animals—it refers to the finest grade of alpaca fiber, measuring under 23 microns in diameter.
At that fineness, the fiber is softer than most cashmere and well below the 30-micron itch threshold. People who can't tolerate regular wool often wear baby alpaca directly against their skin with zero discomfort. It's become a go-to recommendation from dermatologists for patients who want natural fibers without the allergic trade-offs.
For those with eczema, psoriasis, or chronically sensitive skin, baby alpaca grade products are the safest starting point. You can explore options in our best sellers collection, where the fiber grade is listed for each item.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is alpaca wool hypoallergenic?
Yes, alpaca wool is considered hypoallergenic because it lacks lanolin, the waxy substance in sheep wool that triggers most wool allergies. The smooth fiber surface also causes less skin irritation than coarser wools. While no fiber is 100% allergy-proof, most people with wool sensitivities tolerate alpaca well.
Is alpaca itchier than wool?
No, alpaca is significantly less itchy than sheep wool. Alpaca fibers are smoother and finer, with most measuring under 30 microns. Baby alpaca grades (under 23 microns) feel comparable to cashmere. The absence of lanolin also eliminates a common source of skin irritation.
Can bacteria grow on alpaca wool?
Alpaca wool naturally resists bacterial growth better than many fibers. The antimicrobial properties come from its smooth fiber structure and lack of lanolin, which creates an environment less hospitable to bacteria. This also means alpaca garments develop odors more slowly than cotton or synthetics.