Many of you have probably heard of lanolin, also known as wool wax? This ingredient is often used in skincare products for dry skin and neurodermatitis, as well as for the care of sore nipples. However, the active ingredient is repeatedly debated due to its potential allergenicity and animal welfare concerns. Learn more about what exactly is behind it and what sustainable alternatives with similar nourishing properties you can use instead.
What is Lanolin?
Wool wax (INCI: Lanolin) is a natural wax obtained from the shorn wool of sheep. It consists mainly of fatty acids and cholesterol and has a water-repellent effect that protects sheep from moisture and other environmental influences. The substance has a yellowish to brownish color and a greasy, partly waxy consistency.
Thanks to its fmoisturizing and wound-healing properties, lanolin is used as an important ingredient in many skin care products such as creams, ointments, lip balms and hand creams for dry, chapped skin. It promotes skin regeneration and has a replenishing effect, which is why it is often used in the care of neurodermatitis, eczema or psoriasis. Perhaps you also know this ingredient from products for the care of sore, inflamed nipples?
Why no Lanolin?
Despite its positive properties, lanolin is a controversial ingredient.
A key reason for the criticism of lanolin is its increased allergy potential. It can cause skin reactions such as redness, itching or rashes in sensitive individuals. Due to this risk, lanolin was named "Allergen of the Year 2023" by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. (1)
In addition to health aspects, lanolin is also repeatedly criticized for animal welfare reasons. Animal welfare organizations such as PETA also point out that chemicals are used in the breeding of sheep whose wool is used to produce lanolin. These chemicals, used to treat the wool or to control parasites, can accumulate in the wool and thus directly in the lanolin obtained. (2)
To avoid these health risks and ethical concerns, more and more people are turning to products without lanolin.
Possible Alternatives to Lanolin in Skin Care Products
There are a variety of plant-based oils that can be used as alternatives to lanolin and have similarly positive properties:
Shea butter: Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, shea butter helps to intensively nourish and moisturize the skin.
Olive oil: A very mild, vegetable oil that nourishes the skin, makes it soft and at the same time protects it from moisture loss.
Evening primrose oil: Particularly known for its anti-inflammatory properties, this oil is excellent for the care of sensitive and irritated skin, e.g. for the care of sore nipples or in cases of neurodermatitis.
Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil has a similar structure to natural skin oil and helps to regenerate the skin and preserve its moisture.
Cocoa butter: This butter is particularly rich in antioxidants and is excellent for the care of dry and stressed skin.
Our med balm is a rich nourishing balm with 4.5% evening primrose oil, almond oil, organic jojoba oil, organic cocoa butter and organic shea butter. It is ideal for daily use on very dry skin on hands, body or feet and as a wind and weather balm on cold days. Thanks to its rich formula, it is also perfectly suited for lip care and as a gentle care for irritated nipples during breastfeeding and a sustainable alternative to lanolin ointments.
O U R E X P E R T Charlotte I Midwife B.Sc.
SOURCES:
(1) Peta Deutschland e.V.: Wool wax: Sheep suffer for lanolin, wool fat and wax, 2022, available at https://www.peta.de/themen/wollwachs/
(2) Johnson H, Norman T, Adler BL, Yu J. Lanolin: The 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year, Cutis, 2023, available at 112(2):78-81. doi: 10.12788/cutis.0825. PMID: 37820332.
