Lanolin
Also known as: Wool wax, Wool grease, Lanolin alcohol
The sheep-derived barrier wax — an exceptional emollient for cracked skin and nipples, with a wool-allergy asterisk.
In short
Lanolin is a wax secreted by sheep's sebaceous glands and recovered from shorn wool — chemically close to human skin lipids, which is why it has been the benchmark emollient for over a century. It is exceptionally effective at sealing in moisture and softening severely dry or cracked skin, with clinical evidence supporting its use for chapped nipples during breastfeeding, cracked heels, and eczema-adjacent dryness. The trade-offs are two: it is heavy and occlusive (a feature for barrier repair, a flaw for facial cosmetics), and a minority of people — especially those with wool or lanolin contact allergy — cannot tolerate it.
- Wool-derived wax, chemically similar to human skin lipids
- Benchmark emollient for cracked, severely dry skin
- Clinical support: breastfeeding nipple care, cracked heels
- Contact allergy in a small, wool-sensitive minority
What is Lanolin?
Lanolin is the original skin-barrier ingredient — older than the modern cosmetics industry, and still among the best at what it does. Its chemistry explains the longevity: lanolin's lipid composition mimics human sebum closely enough that it integrates with the skin's own barrier, forming a breathable, water-resistant seal that very dry skin craves. The clinical record backs the reputation, especially in the niche where performance matters most — breastfeeding mothers with cracked nipples. The ingredient's limitations are equally durable: heaviness, occlusiveness, and a wool-allergy connection that keeps it out of some bathrooms.
Where it comes from
Natural sources
- Wax secreted by sheep sebaceous glands; recovered from wool during scouring
- Composition mirrors human sebum — esters, sterols, and fatty alcohols
- Used in medicine and cosmetics for over a century
How it's made
Purified anhydrous lanolin (medical grade) removes pesticide residues and allergens; also modified into lighter derivatives (lanolin alcohol, liquid lanolin).
What it does in products
Benefits
Severely dry and cracked skin
strong evidenceClinical studies show lanolin improves hydration and healing in cracked heels and xerotic skin, outperforming lighter moisturizers in barrier repair.
Breastfeeding nipple care
strong evidenceTrials and long clinical use support purified lanolin for sore, cracked nipples — effective, safe for the infant, and the standard hospital recommendation.
Eczema-adjacent dryness
moderate evidenceUsed as a heavy-duty moisturizer in atopic skin; helpful when tolerated, though some eczema populations show higher lanolin sensitivity.
Side effects & safety
Safety considerations
- Purified lanolin is safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding — the standard for nipple care.
- None known.
- Not for: Known lanolin or wool-wax allergy
How it's used
In skincare
Use medical-grade anhydrous lanolin neat or in 5–30% ointments on cracked heels, hands, lips, or nipples, once or twice daily — ideally to slightly damp skin. For nipple care, no need to remove before feeding.
Regulatory status
- OTC skin protectant (monograph) and cosmetic ingredient.
- INCI name on cosmetic labels: Lanolin.
Popular products containing Lanolin
- HPA Lanolin Nipple CreamLansinoh · Skincare
- Anhydrous LanolinNOW Foods · Skincare
- Lanolin OintmentBag Balm · Skincare
Product names and brands are shown for reference and belong to their respective owners.
Why lanolin mimics your skin better than plants do
Plant oils are dominated by triglycerides, but human sebum is a complex wax of esters, sterols, and fatty alcohols — which is exactly what lanolin is, because sheep skin solves the same barrier problems human skin does. That compositional kinship explains the practical difference users feel: lanolin does not merely sit on top like petrolatum; it partially merges with the stratum corneum's own lipids, restoring a cracked barrier rather than just covering it. It also explains the allergy caveat — lanolin is a complex mixture, and its minor components occasionally sensitize. For the majority who tolerate it, nothing plant-derived quite matches its repair performance.
Frequently asked questions
Is lanolin safe for breastfeeding?
Yes — medical-grade purified lanolin is the standard recommendation for cracked nipples, is safe for infants, and does not need to be washed off before feeding. Choose purified, hospital-grade products.
Does lanolin clog pores?
It is occlusive and can contribute to breakouts on acne-prone facial skin, but on the body — heels, elbows, hands — pore-clogging is rarely the issue. It is a heavy-duty product with heavy-duty applications.
Is lanolin vegan?
No — it is a wool byproduct from sheep. Vegan alternatives include plant butters (shea, cocoa) and synthetic barrier waxes, though few match lanolin's occlusive performance exactly.
The bottom line
Lanolin remains the reference barrier-repair ingredient for a reason: its sebum-like chemistry actually restores cracked skin rather than merely covering it. Use medical-grade products on body sites that need the performance — heels, hands, nipples — and patch-test if you are wool-sensitive.
References
- Lanolin and skin barrier — literature search. PubMed (National Library of Medicine). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=lanolin+skin+barrier+hydration
- Lanolin for nipple care in breastfeeding — literature search. PubMed (National Library of Medicine). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=lanolin+nipple+breastfeeding
- Lanolin contact allergy — literature search. PubMed (National Library of Medicine). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=lanolin+contact+allergy
- Lanolin chemistry (review). PubMed (National Library of Medicine). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=lanolin+composition+review