LANOLIN

Description

Lanolin is a by product of the wool industry

Wool is carefully shorn (cut using electric clippers) from the live sheep by sheepshearers. Sheepshearers are specialized farm workers who learn this skill over many years of shearing practice. They shear (cut) the wool off the sheep; then the wool is washed before the wool oil (lanolin) is extracted (scoured) from the wool. The wool is harvested from sheep just like milk is harvested from cows, and honey is harvested from bees. Therefore there is NO animal cruelty associated with shearing the sheep.

There are extensive records of safe use of lanolin in skincare applications. Lanolin is an excellent emollient - it helps soften and soothe skin.

This medication is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (e.g., diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy). Emollients are substances that soften and moisturize the skin and decrease itching and flaking. Some products (e.g., zinc oxide, white petrolatum) are used mostly to protect the skin against irritation (e.g., from wetness).

Dry skin is caused by a loss of water in the upper layer of the skin. Emollients/moisturizers work by forming an oily layer on the top of the skin that traps water in the skin. Petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil and dimethicone are common emollients. Humectants, including glycerine, lecithin, and propylene glycol, draw water into the outer layer of skin. Many products also have ingredients that soften the horny substance (keratin) that holds the top layer of skin cells together (e.g., urea, alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic/citric/glycolic acid, and allantoin).