Lanolin oil is a secretion from sheep’s skin. It’s similar to human sebum, an oil secreted by the sebaceous glands that you may notice particularly on your nose.
Unlike sebum, lanolin contains no triglycerides. Lanolin is sometimes referred to as “wool fat,” but the term is misleading because it lacks triglycerides needed to be considered a fat.
The purpose of lanolin is to condition and protect sheep’s wool. This conditioning property is why the substance is now widely used in human cosmetics, skin care, and hair products.
Lanolin oil is extracted by putting sheep’s wool through a centrifuge machine that separates the oil from other chemicals and debris. The process is performed after the sheep is sheared so the extraction of lanolin causes no harm to sheep.
Lanolin is a very good ingredient for someone with dry skin, though it can be a problem for someone with oily or breakout-prone skin. Also, as an animal-derived ingredient, lanolin is sometimes viewed as less favorable in comparison to synthetic or plant-derived alternatives.
Lanolin is a pale yellow-colored, unctuous, waxy substance with a
faint, characteristic odor. Melted lanolin is a clear or almost clear,
yellow liquid.
Lanolin is a waxy substance that sheep naturally produce to protect their wool. Because lanolin's properties are similar to those of the sebum (oil) secreted by human skin, it is a popular ingredient in moisturizers, hair care products, and soaps.
lanolin (hydrogenated) is a lanolin derivative.
lanolin wax is a lanolin derivative. This is the semisolid fraction of lanolin obtained by physical means from whole lanolin.
lanolin is an emollient with moisturizing properties and an emulsifier with high water–absorption capabilities. It forms a network on the skin’s surface rather than a film, as is the case with petrolatum (Vaseline.). While long-term studies associate a low incidence of allergic reactions to lanolin, it remains a controversial ingredient based on a potential pesticide content and potential comedogenicity. There is a move among high-quality lanolin manufacturers to produce low-pesticide lanolin and among high-quality cosmetic formulators and manufacturers to use the purist form available. Lanolin’s comedogenicity potential is increasingly debated as some researchers believe it to be inaccurate, especially when lanolin is used in an emulsion. Lanolin is a sheep’s wool derivative formed by a fat-like viscous secretion of the sheep’s sebaceous glands. Some consider it a natural wax.
lanolin: An emulsion of purified wool fat in water, containing cholesteroland certain terpene alcoholsand esters. It is used in cosmetics.
A yellowish viscous
substance obtained from wool fat. It contains
cholesterol and terpene compounds,
and is used in cosmetics, in ointments, and
in treating leather.
Lanolin is a naturally occurring wax-like material obtained from
the wool of sheep, Ovis aries Linne′ (Fam. Bovidae).
Crude lanolin is saponified with a weak alkali and the resultant
saponified fat emulsion is centrifuged to remove the aqueous phase.
The aqueous phase contains a soap solution from which, on
standing, a layer of partially purified lanolin separates. This
material is then further refined by treatment with calcium chloride,
followed by fusion with unslaked lime to dehydrate the lanolin. The
lanolin is finally extracted with acetone and the solvent is removed
by distillation.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Lanolin is widely used in topical pharmaceutical formulations and
cosmetics.
Lanolin may be used as a hydrophobic vehicle and in the
preparation of water-in-oil creams and ointments. When mixed
with suitable vegetable oils or with soft paraffin, it produces
emollient creams that penetrate the skin and hence facilitate the
absorption of drugs. Lanolin mixes with about twice its own weight
of water, without separation, to produce stable emulsions that do
not readily become rancid on storage.
Most emollients can be used safely and effectively without side effects. However, burning, stinging, redness or irritation may occur. Rare and very serious allergic reactions are abnormal changes in the skin (e.g., whitening/softening/wetness from over-moisturisation), rashes, itching/swelling (especially on the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and difficulty breathing. If any discomfort occurs, contact your doctor immediately.
Lanolin is widely used in cosmetics and a variety of topical pharmaceutical formulations.
Although generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant
material, lanolin and lanolin derivatives are associated with skin
hypersensitivity reactions, and the use of lanolin in subjects with
known sensitivity should be avoided. Other reports suggest that
‘sensitivity’ arises from false positives in patch testing.However,
skin hypersensitivity is relatively uncommon; the incidence of
hypersensitivity to lanolin in the general population is estimated to
be around 5 per million.
Sensitivity is thought to be associated with the content of free
fatty alcohols present in lanolin products rather than the total
alcohol content.The safety of pesticide residues in lanolin
products has also been of concern. However, highly refined
‘hypoallergenic’ grades of lanolin and grades with low pesticide
residues are commercially available.
Lanolin may gradually undergo autoxidation during storage. To
inhibit this process, the inclusion of butylated hydroxytoluene is
permitted as an antioxidant. Exposure to excessive or prolonged
heating may cause anhydrous lanolin to darken in color and
develop a strong rancidlike odor. However, lanolin may be sterilized
by dry heat at 150°C. Ophthalmic ointments containing lanolin
may be sterilized by filtration or by exposure to gamma irradiation.
Lanolin may contain prooxidants, which may affect the stability of
certain active drugs.
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (ophthalmic,
otic, topical, and vaginal preparations). Included in nonparenteral
medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of
Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
