The use of lanolin in cosmetics. Lanolin: beneficial properties and applications What is lanolin and where to buy it

In many cosmetics, ointments from pharmacies and even in food products you can find the component lanolin - not everyone knows what it is, what properties it has and where it is used, whether it is safe. The substance is of natural origin, it is extracted from the fat of sheep wool. Thanks to modern technologies, animal wax is thoroughly cleaned and used in various industries, including cosmetology.

How is lanolin obtained?

If you carefully study the instructions for medical and cosmetic preparations, or the composition of food products, you are guaranteed to have come across the word “lanolin”. Its other names are acetylated or anhydrous lanolin, animal wax, E913. The first thing you should know when studying lanolin is that this externally fat-like substance, which looks like a brown-yellow viscous mass, is obtained from sheep wool by boiling. To understand what lanolin is, you will need to consider the composition and properties of animal wax.

Properties

The composition of the substance resembles the secretion of the sebaceous glands; it moisturizes and softens the skin. Lanolin can retain up to twice its volume of moisture. The substance has the following chemical properties:

• does not dissolve in an aqueous environment, but forms a stable water/oil emulsion;
• absorbs up to 40% alcohol, 150% water;
• dissolves in acetone, ether, chloroform;
• difficult to saponify, oxidize;
• has a melting point of 36 degrees;
• well absorbed by the skin;
• exhibits resistance to oxidation by oxygen.

Compound

It is impossible to describe the full chemical composition of animal wax in one article, since the substance consists of more than 15,000 lanolin esters and 200 lanolin acids. Animal wax is a mixture of esters and free high molecular weight alcohols, higher fatty acids:

Applications of lanolin

Wool wax is used by manufacturers in various fields. The special characteristics of the substance and emulsifying ability are used by pharmaceutical companies to produce ointments. This is a well-known component for creating laundry detergents and soaps. Lanolin oil, cream, and mask are available from many cosmetic companies. The substance is used by the food industry and even in the production of building materials.

In medicine

The properties of animal wax to heal wounds and restore the integrity of the skin are actively used in medicine. This substance is often used as a basis for the production of medicinal plasters and bandages, and is made a component of hydrophilic ointments. Pure lanolin is used in pharmacology by nursing women as an effective remedy for healing cracked nipples. It doesn't even require rinsing before feeding due to its safety for babies.

In cosmetology

Lanolin is often found in cosmetics. When producing lipsticks, they rarely do without such a component; animal wax is used as a safe base for creams and masks. Although the substance has a viscous consistency in its pure form, with other ingredients it is perfectly absorbed into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. You can find lanolin recipes for creams for the face, skin around the eyes, hands, and feet. For healthy hair shine, lanolin is added to shampoos, masks and conditioners. Used to create natural homemade creams and other cosmetic preparations.

In industry

The use of sheep wool fat in the food industry is widespread. The substance is used to create coating mixtures of fruits: oranges, apples, lemons and others. This coating allows products to look attractive and maintain a fresh appearance. Glaze with the addition of E913 is found in the production of chocolate, sweets, confectionery flour products and other products. Still unrefined fat is used to make concrete, products to protect clothing from dirt and water, and lubricants.

Preparations based on lanolin

The harmlessness and extremely rare cases of allergies to animal wax make this thick mass popular in the production of cosmetic and medicinal preparations, where it performs the following functions:

• moisturizing any skin type, the ability to retain natural moisture;
• improvement of the structure of the epidermis;
• even out skin tone;
• elimination of oily shine;
• smoothing wrinkles;
• softening the skin.

Cream

Many popular cosmetics manufacturers offer lanolin face cream. You can choose any, but products that are not too expensive and yet effective are especially popular. Drugs that meet these criteria include:

1. Day cream Oxygen glow from Faberlic. The formula contains acetylated lanolin, glycerin, lecithin, panthenol, arginine. The product is aimed at getting rid of wrinkles and eliminating unevenness on the skin. Apply the cream to cleansed skin in the morning.
2. Lanopearl Pty Ltd, Lanolin anti-wrinkle cream with vitamin E. A cream with a non-greasy texture that penetrates deeply into the skin, softens, nourishes and moisturizes. It can be used not only for the face, but also for hands, elbows, knees. Apply the product twice a day to cleansed skin.

Ointment

To improve skin condition, animal wax is often used as a base for ointments. The molecular structure of the substance is similar to human sebum, therefore it is well accepted by the skin. Lanolin ointment is even used to heal open wounds. With its help, the skin is moisturized and nourished. Popular ointments include the following:

1. Lanolin ointment "Mamma Mia". Designed to prevent the formation of stretch marks, and also to smooth the skin. The product can be used to heal cracked nipples caused by feeding babies. Apply as needed to problem areas.
2. Lanolips Lano Golden Dry Skin Salve review. Australian ointment based on ultra-pure lanolin. Before use, the manufacturer recommends warming the product slightly in your palms to reduce the viscosity. The ointment is applied to dry areas of the body: feet, elbows, knees. Can be used as a night face mask; the ointment softens cuticles and lips.

Soap

You can take care of your skin during hygiene procedures if you purchase soap with lanolin. This product is inexpensive, but the result is worthy of attention. Soap is produced for facial and body skin care, for intimate hygiene, for bathing children and for washing. Popular products include the following:

1. Nevskaya cosmetics, New Lanolin toilet soap. This product is designed to prevent skin dehydration, soften, give softness and elasticity. Suitable for hygiene procedures for the whole family.
2. Golden Farm, Lanolin soap. Designed for hygiene procedures. Cleanses and moisturizes the skin.

Shampoos

Lanolin is often used for hair. As a result of the use of products, the structure of the hair improves, shampoos and conditioners prevent drying out, protect against the negative effects of wind and sun. The following lanolin hair care products are in demand:

1. Lanolin for hair, DNC. The natural ingredients from the bottle can be used as an additive to your usual shampoo or as a mask. The hair becomes softer, the ends are not frizzy or split after using it.
2. Horse Force, Horsepower. This product is in great demand. Under its action, the ceramide plates are smoothed, the hair becomes flowing, acquires shine and a well-groomed appearance. Use Horsepower as a traditional shampoo.

Cosmetics and food products containing natural ingredients are especially valued today. Recently, in the list of ingredients on the labels of shampoos and other products you can find a substance called lanolin. It is especially in demand among women. It is used in medicine and for caring for wool products.

What is lanolin ─ description and properties

Lanolin is nothing more than animal wax, which is obtained by certain processing of sheep's wool. In composition, it is close to sebum and belongs to fat-containing substances. It has been used in its unrefined form since ancient times. True, the benefits of such a product were very doubtful. Today, special technologies are used to clean natural wax, which make it possible to remove dirt and harmful impurities from it. Modern women are delighted with the beneficial characteristics of pure lanolin.

It is produced by boiling wool. Thanks to different approaches, several types of this unique substance are obtained. Each of them is suitable for specific purposes.

In appearance, animal wax is a thick, viscous mass of yellow or brownish color. Its smell is not particularly pleasant. Lanolin contains many sterols, including cholesterol, which largely determines its beneficial properties. The substance is perfectly absorbed and has a softening effect on the skin. It is characterized by a low melting point - about 35-40 °C. Anhydrous lanolin has a more complex composition: its structure contains esters, free alcohols and fatty acids.

It will be useful to know that the healing properties of wool are largely due to natural lanolin. In addition to the most popular sheep, there is a camel analogue. The antiseptic properties of camel wool products have been known for at least a couple of centuries. It is not for nothing that blankets made of camel wool are wildly popular among people.

Where is lanolin used:

• in the cosmetology field;
• in the medical industry;
• when caring for woolen items;
• in the food industry and trade.

The use of lanolin in cosmetology

Due to its ability to retain moisture and penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, the product is very popular in the cosmetics industry. It is used to create softening, moisturizing and protective products. Lanolin-based cream smoothes, eliminates imperfections and tightens cracks. The presence of fats in the structure of the substance allows it to be used to protect the skin from exposure to wind, sun and frost.

Sheep lanolin is included in most lipsticks and anti-aging cosmetics. Many women prepare care products from it at home. Foot cream with lanolin is good against fatigue: it relieves pain and soothes irritated skin. At the same time, it has the ability to be absorbed well and not leave marks on clothes.

Caring cosmetics with lanolin for children receive excellent reviews. Natural origin allows the ingredient to be introduced into products for children, starting from an early age. Wax forms an effective barrier against external influences (protective function) and eliminates peeling and redness (therapeutic function). Soap with lanolin solves two problems at once: cleanses and cares. It does not dry out the skin and can be used not only for hands, but for the face and body.

Lanolin for hair

Shampoo with lanolin is especially popular. Such products give hair a healthy shine and saturate it with strength. In addition to detergent compositions, lanolin is added to masks and conditioners to add volume and moisture to curls. It gently lubricates the hairs, making them soft, smooth and vibrant.

Lanolin in medicine

Therapeutic cosmetics for young mothers is the main pharmaceutical area for which the component is produced in large quantities. Nipple cream with lanolin is successfully used to get rid of cracks during breastfeeding. The product quickly eliminates minor damage and prevents the appearance of new ones. There is no need to wash it off before feeding the baby: the ingredient is completely safe for the baby.

Therapeutic gels with lanolin promote wound healing and have an anti-inflammatory and cooling effect. The natural component is also included in eye medications. Lanolin ointment accelerates healing and has a beneficial effect on the skin of the eyelids. Natural wax is used as a base for the production of plasters and impregnation of aseptic dressings.

Lanolin for hair care

Particularly worth mentioning is the use of the substance for working with natural fabrics and yarn. Housewives and needlewomen speak well of detergents with lanolin. Thin knitted items made from wool yarn are very capricious and demanding to care for. They are recommended to be washed with the addition of shampoos, conditioners and softening compounds. This approach to cleaning allows you to preserve the natural velvety and give the products the intended shape, but it requires a lot of effort and time.

Using lanolin to wash wool makes the task easier. You can include it in your DIY detergent base or purchase a ready-made product. Many manufacturers include lanolin in soaps and liquid powders. Such products combine all the necessary functions: cleans, softens and protects the yarn. The result is neat, fluffy products that wear well and last a long time.

For gentle cleaning and care of items made from open wool, the most effective way is to use a special shampoo. Together with cleaning from contaminants, the lanolin in its composition restores wool fabric to its original appearance. It is worth noting that regular washing of exposed wool significantly extends the service life of products and the comfort of use. This applies to both small things, such as scarves, hats, slippers, and quite voluminous ones: blankets, jackets and vests made of wool.

The substance is also included in shampoos for pets. Representatives of the cat and dog families will be grateful to their owners for the presence of lanolin in hair care compositions. They provide easy combing, carefully remove dirt and give softness to even the most shaggy animals. The effect of lanolin on the “fur coat” of animals is similar to the effect of shampoo on human hair.

Purified lanolin in food and other products

The use of animal wax is not limited to cosmetic and household needs. It has also found application in the food industry. It is used for glazing confectionery products and as an anti-flaming agent. In the first case, lanolin gives the product gloss and smoothness, in the second it helps to achieve uniformity during the cooking process.

Shiny fruits and vegetables in the store are also thanks to this valuable ingredient. Due to the fact that lanolin contains steroid derivatives, it is able to form a glossy shell. This is why apples and peaches on retail shelves look so impressive and force the buyer to purchase them as soon as possible.

In addition to the options listed, you can find the well-known component in other industries. Manufacturers of clothing and footwear have happily adopted the ability to create a water-repellent film: lanolin is always present in tubes of care and protective products. Builders regularly encounter it in their work: sheep's wax is part of concrete. Lubricants for all purposes also include this product.

Disadvantages of natural wax

Due to its wide distribution, it seems that it has no “cons”. But it is not so. Due to its natural composition, this product has almost no negative characteristics, but in some cases it can cause allergic reactions. To eliminate them, it is better to use diluted liquid lanolin rather than thick one. Before applying to the skin, it is necessary to check the body for allergies, namely, rub a couple of drops of the drug in the wrist area and look for the presence or absence of a reaction.

Video about lanolin:

What is it really? Lanolin what properties it has, how and for what it can be used.

I love winter, but I don't like the heating season. Although it would be very difficult to admit without it, without batteries and heating. After all, we don’t live in the tropics :)

I don’t know how important your skin is, but mine starts to dry out in the winter. And it happens in certain places: trays, shins and, of course, feet. I tried a bunch of different oils and, yes, some of them, like shea butter, worked well for dryness, but when I first tried lanolin I just fell in love with it.

The story of how I first even thought about him is funny. I was looking for more natural options for disposable diapers for my son and accidentally came across a special type, over which special woolen pants are worn.

I won’t go too deep, I’ll just say that it was written there that these woolen pants need to be treated with lanolin to remain soft and waterproof. That’s when it hit me, why not find out more about this product? And I started reading, and then I found it on my favorite website, where I order almost all my personal care products (and not only) and now it stands in the bathroom and pleases the eye.

And now I’ll intrigue you - in my opinion, NOTHING moisturizes the skin like lanolin. In general, it has firmly established itself in my arsenal of products for maintaining the beauty and health of the skin.

What is Lanolin?

This is an oil that is synthesized by the pores of sheep (the same pores as ours) so that the wool has water-repellent and moisturizing properties. It is lanolin that protects sheep from cold, wet weather.

In its pure form, it is a yellow, waxy substance. I would like to immediately note that when receiving lanolin, sheep do not suffer in any way, since it is collected from their wool.

This nourishing substance has been used to moisturize the skin since ancient Greece.

Lanolin is a super nutrient. It can lock moisture into the skin and in addition attracts even more moisture from the air. Another feature of it is that it forms a barrier through which the skin can breathe without disturbing its biological function.

Useful properties and methods of use

To nourish and moisturize the skin

Lanolin is especially suitable for very dry skin.

It belongs to the so-called lipid-rich emollients. One of the reasons for dry skin is a lack of lipids that allow water to pass through. Lanolin closes these holes, preventing moisture loss from the skin.

For chapped lips

Lanolin is very popular in lip balms. Its texture allows for easy and even application. It perfectly retains moisture and prevents further cracking, restoring the normal water balance of the skin of the lips.

For hair

As a super nourishing and moisturizing product. Ideal for curly hair. It will give them shine and “outline” the curls.

For nipples during feeding

Many people recommend Lanolin as a remedy for cracked nipples. It relieves pain, moisturizes delicate skin, and promotes healing. Lanolin will not harm the baby. Use a tiny amount, literally half a pea.

Important: There are allergies to lanolin, especially if it is poorly purified. Therefore, purchase only pure lanolin from quality manufacturers.

My personal experience

I buy this lanolin. The jar lasts forever since you need to use it little by little. He is very very very! fatty. Fattier than any oil! Afterwards, you will need to wash your hands well several times.

I mainly use it for dry skin on my heels and elbows. And once a week I apply it to my face at night, like a super duper nourishing mask, which not only gives unique softness to the skin, but also smoothes out all wrinkles! (you will most likely have to wash your hair in the morning, although it depends on how carefully you sleep :).

I also purchased special lanolin for my nipples, but I didn’t need it since they never cracked during feeding. I ended up giving it to my mom to use as a hand sanitizer.

Have you ever used Lanolin? Share your experience!

* I am now actively mastering Instagram, my thoughts about pressing problems and more are on evgenia_happynatural

Lanolin is a naturally occurring substance, obtained by extracting sheep's wool using alkalis. Other names for this product are animal wax, acetylated or anhydrous lanolin. In the food industry, the use of lanolin is not permitted in all countries due to the lack of evidence on the safety of the substance. The international designation of this food additive is E913.

Structure and properties of lanolin

Lanolin has the appearance of a thick brown-yellow mass, viscous in consistency and with a peculiar odor. The chemical composition of this substance is complex and not fully understood. Lanolin is a set of numerous fatty acids, esters and high molecular alcohols. Up to 10% of it consists of sterols; cholesterol also belongs to this group of substances.

The physical properties of lanolin are similar to human sebum. It melts almost at body temperature (36 - 42 degrees). According to reviews, lanolin is a good emulsifier, forming oil/water emulsions. It is capable of holding water in quantities exceeding its own weight of lanolin by 2 times.

Lanolin in the food industry

Lanolin is used in food production as a glazing agent and anti-flaming agent. Anti-flaming agents prevent foaming and make the consistency of the product uniform. Glaze gives shine and a pleasant appearance to products, and also plays a role in shaping the taste.

The use of lanolin as a component of coating mixtures for fruits is widespread. Such mixtures give fruits a pleasant and fresh appearance and allow them to retain the attractive qualities of food products longer. Oranges, lemons, limes, apples, pineapples, peaches, pears, melons, and plums are most often subjected to this procedure.

Additive E913 can be found in the glaze of the following food products:

• Confectionery flour products;
• Candies;
• Chocolate;
• Dragee;
• Nuts;
• Chewing gum.

Application of lanolin in other industries

Cosmetology is the main industry where the beneficial properties of lanolin are fully used. It is a soft and harmless base for various cosmetic skin creams, as well as an integral part of lipstick. When applied to the surface of the skin, lanolin softens it well, moisturizes it and is quickly absorbed from the surface into the deep layers, leaving no greasy marks.

Good reviews about lanolin can be heard from cosmetologists specializing in hair health. This substance improves the structure and appearance; thanks to lanolin, hair looks healthy and shiny. This is why lanolin is an important component of hair conditioners. But it does not have any effect on hair length.

In medicine, lanolin is used as the basis for adhesive bandages, medicinal plasters and hydrophilic ointments (including eye ointments). This substance promotes wound healing and restoration of skin integrity.

Creams and ointments made with lanolin (for example, Lanovit) prevent the appearance of cracked nipples during breastfeeding. For breastfeeding women, they will also be useful in treating cracked nipples that have already occurred. Lanolin is used for these purposes with a high degree of purification; it is harmless to infants, even if accidentally ingested.

Lanolin is used in the production of concrete, lubricants, and means to protect clothing from dirt and water.

Lanolin is not dangerous for humans; it is very rare to find cases of hypersensitivity to this substance, when allergic reactions in the form of a rash appear after prolonged application to the skin.