Ear Wax Types

Have you ever wondered why your ear wax looks completely different from your friend's or family member's? The answer lies deep within your DNA.

Ear wax, medically known as cerumen, comes in two distinct types that are as different as night and day: wet and dry.

This isn't a matter of personal hygiene or environmental factors - your ear wax type was determined the moment you were conceived.

Understanding which type you have reveals fascinating insights about your genetic heritage and can help you make better decisions about your ear care routine.

The Genetic Decider: Your ABCC11 Gene

Your ear wax destiny rests in the hands of a single gene called ABCC11, short for ATP-binding cassette transporter C11.

This remarkable gene creates instructions for a protein that acts like a molecular bouncer, controlling which substances get transported out of your cells.

A minuscule change in this gene's DNA sequence - what scientists call a single nucleotide polymorphism - makes all the difference between sticky, wet ear wax and flaky, dry ear wax.

Think of it like a genetic coin flip, but with weighted odds. Wet-type ear wax represents the dominant genetic trait, meaning you only need to inherit this version from one parent to produce sticky cerumen.

Dry-type ear wax, on the other hand, is recessive - both your parents must pass down the dry-type version for you to have flaky ear wax.

Here's where genetics gets truly fascinating: the same ABCC11 gene that determines your ear wax type also controls your apocrine sweat glands, the ones responsible for body odor.

People with dry ear wax typically produce little to no body odor, while those with wet ear wax tend to have more noticeable natural scents.

Your ear wax type literally connects to how you smell to the world around you.

Wet-Type Ear Wax: The More Common Variety

Wet-type ear wax feels exactly like its name suggests - moist, sticky, and remarkably similar to honey or soft wax. When you touch it, it clings to your finger with a tacky consistency that can range in color from pale yellow (like fresh butter) to deep chocolate brown.

This rich variation in color often reflects the age of the wax and how much debris it has collected during its protective duties.

The secret behind wet ear wax's distinctive texture lies in its high lipid content - research published in the Journal of Otology shows that wet cerumen contains approximately 50% fats, giving it that characteristic sticky, pliable feel.

Prevalence

Wet-type ear wax dominates the global population, particularly among people of European and African ancestry.

Walk through any city in Europe, Africa, or the Americas, and the majority of people you encounter will have this sticky variety of cerumen.

The dominant nature of this genetic trait has made wet ear wax the most widespread type across continents, reflecting ancient human migration patterns and genetic inheritance.

Characteristics at a Glance

•Consistency: Soft, sticky, waxy

• Colour: Yellow to dark brown

•Lipid Content: High (around 50%)

•Genetic Trait: Dominant

Dry-Type Ear Wax: The Flaky Alternative

Dry-type ear wax presents a completely different experience from its wet counterpart. Instead of sticky honey, imagine touching dried breadcrumbs or flaky pastry - that's the texture of dry cerumen.

It crumbles easily between your fingers and often falls out of the ear in small, brittle pieces that resemble tiny flakes of dried skin. The color palette shifts dramatically too, typically appearing in muted gray or tan shades rather than the vibrant yellows and browns of wet wax.

This dramatically different texture stems from its much lower lipid content - studies show dry ear wax contains only about 20% fats, creating its characteristic brittle, crumbly consistency.

Prevalence

Dry-type ear wax tells a fascinating story of human evolution and migration. This flaky variety predominates among people of East Asian and Native American heritage, creating distinct geographic patterns across the globe.

Travel to countries like Japan, Korea, or China, and you'll find that the majority of the population produces this brittle form of cerumen.

The distribution of dry ear wax serves as a genetic map of ancient human migrations, showing how populations adapted to different environments over thousands of years.

Characteristics at a Glance

•Consistency: Brittle, flaky, dry

• Colour: Gray or tan

•Lipid Content: Low (around 20%)

•Genetic Trait: Recessive

Comparing Wet and Dry Ear Wax

Feature	Wet-Type Ear Wax	Dry-Type Ear Wax
Consistency	Sticky, soft, waxy	Brittle, flaky, dry
Color	Yellow to dark brown	Gray to tan
Genetic Trait	Dominant	Recessive
Lipid Content	High (~50%)	Low (~20%)
Common Ancestry	European, African	East Asian, Native American

Implications for Ear Health and Hygiene

A common question is whether one type of ear wax is more likely to cause problems, such as impaction or blockage. While both types serve the same protective functions, their different consistencies can influence how they behave in the ear canal.

Some studies suggest that the sticky nature of wet-type ear wax might make it more prone to forming blockages, especially if it is pushed deeper into the ear canal by cotton swabs or earbuds. However, the flaky nature of dry-type ear wax can also lead to accumulation if the ear's self-cleaning mechanism is impaired.

Regardless of your ear wax type, the rules for safe ear hygiene remain the same. Your ears are self-cleaning, and you should avoid inserting any objects into the ear canal. If you experience symptoms of ear wax blockage, such as hearing loss, a feeling of fullness, or earache, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for safe removal.

Understanding your ear wax type is another way to appreciate the unique biological story that your body tells. Both wet and dry cerumen are normal, healthy variations, each perfectly suited to its protective role.

References

1.Yoshiura, K., Kinoshita, A., Ishida, T., et al. (2006). A SNP in the ABCC11 gene is the determinant of human earwax type. Nature Genetics, 38(3), 324–330. https://www.nature.com/articles/ng1733

2.Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Earwax (Cerumen): Types, Function & Causes. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24624-earwax

3.Ballachanda, B. B. (2024). Earwax–cerumen genetics and physiology: Current insights. Journal of Otology, 19(1), 1-7. https://journals.lww.com/josh/fulltext/2024/01000/earwax_cerumen_genetics_and_physiology__current.2.aspx