Lanolin is a natural, waxy substance derived from the fleece of sheep, often called wool wax. This secretion is produced by the sheep’s sebaceous glands to condition and protect the wool. Due to its unique composition, which is similar to human skin oils, lanolin is widely used as a highly effective occlusive moisturizer. It forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, significantly reducing water loss to soothe and soften dry or cracked skin. Its primary use is for intense moisturizing, particularly for chapped lips and soothing irritated nipples during breastfeeding.
Lanolin Safety and Removal Guidelines
For medical-grade or ultra-purified lanolin products designed for nipple care, removal before breastfeeding is generally unnecessary. This practice is supported by leading health organizations because the high purity standards ensure the product is safe for infants to ingest in small, incidental quantities. Allowing the product to remain maximizes its therapeutic effect.
The primary function of lanolin is to create a moist wound-healing environment, which frequent washing disrupts. Applying lanolin immediately after feeding allows the occlusive barrier to work continuously, promoting the repair of skin trauma. Medical-grade lanolin is tasteless and odorless, helping prevent the baby from rejecting the breast.
The Process of Ultra-Purification
Medical-grade lanolin is safe for incidental ingestion because it undergoes a complex, multi-stage ultra-purification process to eliminate contaminants. Raw wool grease, from which lanolin is extracted, is naturally contaminated with environmental residues, including pesticides, detergents, and salts. This crude material requires extensive refinement before it is suitable for human topical use.
The refining process utilizes chemical and physical techniques, such as solvent extraction and vacuum heating, to remove these impurities. This treatment reduces pesticide residues to non-detectable limits and lowers the concentration of free lanolin alcohols (FLA). Reducing FLA is important because these compounds are responsible for allergic reactions in wool-sensitive individuals. This rigorous purification results in a hypoallergenic product that meets strict monograph standards, such as those set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).
Factors Requiring Lanolin Removal
While ultra-pure lanolin usually does not need removal, washing it off is necessary in specific situations. If a user experiences signs of a localized allergic reaction, such as a rash, swelling, or persistent redness, the product should be immediately and thoroughly removed. A sensitivity to lanolin or wool may necessitate discontinuation of its use.
Removal is also necessary if the product is cosmetic or industrial-grade lanolin that has not undergone stringent purification. These lower grades retain higher levels of impurities and free lanolin alcohols, making them unsuitable for applications where incidental ingestion is possible.
Lanolin applied to other parts of the body, such as cracked heels or hands, should be washed off before applying other lotions or before bedtime. This prevents staining or transferring the thick, waxy substance to fabrics, as lanolin is notoriously difficult to remove from textiles.