Every year without fail, our skin takes a beating from the harsh winter air. We experience dry chapped lips, cracked hands and itchy arms, legs and back. Our response is to slather on lotions, oils, creams and lip balms, but sometimes the issues persist despite our diligent efforts. Is there a better solution or do we have to endure this every winter? Lanolin was the game changer for us. It improves skin overnight. But why isn’t everyone using it?
What makes lanolin ideal?
Mammals secrete sebum to protect, soften and moisturize skin and hair. It’s our natural defense against moisture loss. Lanolin comes from sheep sebum. Its components are very similar to the sebum secreted by our skin, and it has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties (1). So, lanolin is a biologically ideal all-purpose skin balm, especially for skin that doesn’t produce enough sebum. It’s almost perfect.
What makes it imperfect?
Lanolin, derived from the waxy, yellow sebum removed from sheep fur, is the byproduct of wool harvesting. This process does not harm sheep. The problem is sheep dip, a liquid preparation of insecticides and fungicides. Farmers use sheep dip to protect their flock from common pests, such as lice, itch mite, ticks and blow-fly. Sheep are sprayed with this formulation, or the entire animal gets dipped into the formula. The types of pesticides used in sheep dip are problematic for various health and environmental reasons (2). They are particularly harmful to farmers, farmland and its surrounding environments, as well as connected ecosystems. While this practice helps farmers preserve their wool product, the pesticides present in lanolin are a concern.
Once harvested, the sebum goes through multiple purification processes before it becomes the lanolin sold to consumers. The refining process varies significantly from brand to brand, so not all lanolins are considered equal. Medical grade or United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Lanolin is the grade to buy. It contains no more than 3 parts per million (ppm) of impurities, including pesticides, and less than 1 ppm of any single contaminant. This ultra-purified lanolin is usually white and quite different from the yellow sebum initially extracted.
Is ultra-purified lanolin considered safe?
The trace amounts of pesticides left in USP Lanolin is considered safe. Small quantities of pesticides get processed by our livers and eventually get expelled from our bodies and 3 ppm is a negligible amount for adults. When we put Lasinoh brand Lanolin through several clean beauty ingredient checkers, they all classified it as either very safe or safe. Lasinoh is 100% USP Lanolin.
Lanolin was a common all-purpose skin salve for centuries. Before the clean product movement, it was the best cure for cracked nipples when breastfeeding and diaper rash. It has recently fallen out of favor for use on cracked nipples because even trace amounts of pesticides may harm babies’ development. There is no organic version. Because babies are still developing, it’s understandable that mothers may prefer to be on the more cautious side. When used on cracked nipples, babies do ingest some of the product.
Other populations who also want to avoid lanolin are people with wool allergies and, of course, vegans. Although it’s rare for people to have wool allergies, they are slowly growing in numbers (3). Except for those three groups, lanolin is generally considered safe and even clean.
What are some uses for lanolin?
Lanolin has emollient (soothing) and occlusive (protective) properties. A 2017 study found that it “can reduce trans-epidermal water loss by 20% to 30%” (4). Occlusives are most effective when applied over slightly damp skin. Its hydrophobic properties create an effective barrier to prevent water loss by trapping it in. Lanolin is also able to diffuse into the skin, contributing to its efficacy. If there’s a dry, itchy patch of skin anywhere on your body, lanolin can usually help.
Its thick waxy texture is perfect for chapped lips and is most effective when applied in the evening right after you wash your face. The next morning your lips will be markedly softer and more moisturized. After a few nights, the issue will most likely be history. Some pediatricians consider it safe even for chapped baby lips (5). However, you should check with your pediatrician.
For dry hands and feet, it’s best to apply generously right after a shower. Put on gloves or socks after application because lanolin tends to be thick and sticky. Covering your hands and feet give the treatment time to absorb before it gets rubbed off.
An unexpected use for lanolin
Finally, a lesser-known use for it is as a hair texturizer. Use a single rice grain amount and rub it into your hands. This amount, which seems like too little, should be enough to add texture to long hair without weighing it down or making it feel greasy. Now, scrunch (do not rub) the ends up towards your scalp. Repeat if you have a lot of hair and style your hair as usual. It works like hair wax without drying out your ends. However, unless it’s applied to damp hair, it also won’t add any moisture.
If you have dry, cracked skin and have tried everything you can get your hands on to no avail, lanolin might be the solution you’ve been missing.
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At Such Is Motherhood, our curated picks are always independently selected. When you buy something through our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay and helps us cover the cost of running this site. Sometimes, we provide links solely for your convenience, for which we won’t receive any compensation. Our goal is only to suggest the most notable products. Listed prices may change after publication. See full policy here.
Curated Picks
Lasinoh: This tube of 100% USP lanolin cream is the most versatile all-purpose skin balm. Its thick waxy texture heals, protects and moisturizes itchy dry skin. Its soothing properties also calm itching during mosquito season.
Naturals New Zealand: This lip balm is made with two ingredients, USP lanolin and sunflower seed wax. Its compact twist tube packaging makes application mess-free and portable.
Pure Lano: This body creme contains USP lanolin and is infused with antioxidants and other moisturizing ingredients. It provides intense hydration and glides on smoothly over skin.
What do these icons mean?
Publications:
(1) Bullivant, Mike. “Rough Science . New Zealand . Shakers . Hand Cream.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 2005, www.pbs.org/weta/roughscience/series3/shakers/handcream.html.
(2) A. C. Povey, H. G. Rees, J. P. Thompson, G. Watkins, S. J. Stocks, L. Karalliedde, Acute ill-health in sheep farmers following use of pesticides, Occupational Medicine, Volume 62, Issue 7, October 2012, Pages 541–548, https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqs099
(3) Fransen, M., Overgaard, L., Johansen, J., & Thyssen, J. (2017, September 21). Contact allergy to lanolin: Temporal changes in prevalence and association with atopic dermatitis. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cod.12872
(4) Purnamawati, S., Indrastuti, N., Danarti, R., & Saefudin, T. (2017, December). The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/
(5) Oberst, L. (2017, December 7). How Best to Treat Your Newborn’s Chapped Lips. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/newborn-chapped-lips
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