Lanolin 101

Lanolin is secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep, so it’s a natural, organic, environmentally friendly and biodegradable substance from a renewable source. Extracting lanolin does not harm the sheep in any way.

• How is it extracted? Lanolin is obtained after the sheep’s wool is washed in hot water. Dirt, sand, wool grease (crude lanolin), sweat salts and anything else that sticks to the wool ends up in the water. The crude lanolin is then extracted from the water using either centrifugal separation or solvent extraction. In this raw form – which smells strongly of sheep – it can be used in various products, such as lubricants, anticorrosive coatings, surgical and industrial adhesive tapes, metal cutting oils, printing inks and leather treatment products. Apparently, in the Middle Ages, knights would coat their armour and tools with a thin layer of unpurified lanolin to preserve them. (For instructions on how to extract lanolin – Google “How to extract lanolin from sheep’s wool”.)

• Where is it extracted? As far as the Stegmanns and Platteland could determine, lanolin is not extracted on a commercial scale or purified to medical-grade lanolin in South Africa. Most sheared wool leaves the country unwashed, and the lanolin is extracted and processed overseas. In order for it to be used in cosmetic products for skin and hair, it goes through up to five further purification processes to obtain the purest medical-grade lanolin. Most of it comes from China, the UK, Belgium, Japan, Czechia, Germany, Vietnam and India.

• What are the benefits? Lanolin locks in moisture, keeps skin supple and creates a protective barrier, allowing the body to repair itself naturally. It’s an ingredient in face and hand creams, baby creams, lip balms, hypoallergenic make-up and rich moisturisers for cracked nipples and heels, eczema and scratches. >