What is lanolin used for?

What does lanolin do in skincare?

Lanolin is extracted from sheep's wool, then cleaned and refined. It acts as an emulsifier, helping ingredients mix in creams and other preparations. Lanolin appears in hand creams, moisturisers, barrier creams, glossy lipsticks, makeup removers and some medicated products.1

Emollient is the medical word for moisturiser. Emollients form a protective oily layer on the skin's surface, trapping moisture and helping the skin repair. Lanolin containing barrier creams and ointments also form a protective barrier. The finished product matters: an ingredient name alone does not tell you whether you are buying a light cream or a greasy ointment.34

What is lanolin cream used for?

Lanolin cream is used as a moisturiser or protective barrier, depending on the formula. A moisturising cream helps with dryness; a barrier cream helps protect the skin surface. Creams contain oil and water and are generally easier to spread than ointments. These are general emollient differences, not a claim that every lanolin product has the same texture.13

Choose the format by how dry the skin is, where you will apply it and which texture you can comfortably use.3

How do you apply a lanolin moisturiser?

For a lanolin containing moisturiser, use these general emollient application steps. Nipple care and incontinence barrier care have specific instructions below.5

1. 1Wash your hands before applying the moisturiser.
2. 2If the product comes in a tub, use a clean spoon to put some onto a clean plate. Do not scoop it out with your fingers.
3. 3Smooth the moisturiser gently onto the skin in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing it in.
4. 4Leave a thin layer to soak in for about 10 minutes. Leave on emollients do not need rinsing off.

Apply an emollient whenever skin feels dry or tight. Regular use can mean 2 to 4 applications a day or more. After washing or bathing, pat your skin dry and apply the moisturiser straight away. Cold weather can increase dryness, so you can need more frequent applications in winter.35

If you also use a topical steroid, leave at least 30 minutes between the steroid and the emollient. Ask your doctor which to apply first. Separating them avoids diluting the treatment or spreading it onto skin that does not need it. During ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, ask your treatment team for specific emollient instructions.35

Can you use lanolin on cracked nipples?

For cracked nipples during breastfeeding, apply 100% pure lanolin after feeds. Avoid soaps and harsh washing or drying of the nipples, which can cause dryness and cracking. Nipples naturally produce a lubricant, so aggressive cleaning can work against their own protection.2

Sore nipples are usually caused by the baby not being positioned and attached properly. A cream cannot correct attachment. If either nipple hurts at every feed, or nipples crack or bleed, get help promptly from a midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter. They can watch a feed and help with positioning. Cracking and bleeding increase the risk of infection.6

If feeding remains painful despite correct positioning and attachment, ask for further help because an infection or another underlying problem could be involved. Seek medical care for a breast that is warm, red or painful, or for unusual skin or nipple changes.26

How is lanolin used in incontinence care?

Creams or ointments containing lanolin, zinc oxide or petrolatum can form a protective barrier on skin exposed to urine or stool. Excess moisture in these areas increases the risk of irritation, peeling and yeast infections. A healthcare provider can help select a barrier product.4

1. 1Clean the affected area promptly after passing urine or stool.
2. 2Use a mild cleanser, follow its rinsing instructions and gently pat the skin dry.
3. 3Reapply the barrier cream or ointment after cleaning and drying.

Barrier cream does not replace cleaning after each episode of incontinence. Contact a healthcare provider if severe irritation develops. If you receive radiation therapy, ask your provider before using creams or lotions on the treated area.4

Who should be careful with lanolin?

People with dermatitis, damaged skin or wounds appear to have a higher risk of becoming allergic to lanolin. Reactions can cause itching, redness, swelling or blistering hours to days after application. An allergy can develop even after previous use without problems. Stop using an emollient if it makes skin itchy or sore, and seek advice about the reaction.13

A dermatologist can investigate suspected lanolin allergy with patch testing. If lanolin allergy is confirmed, avoid lanolin and its derivatives. Labels can also call them wool alcohols, wool fat, wool wax, anhydrous lanolin or Amerchol, giving one ingredient a surprisingly crowded alias list.1

Emollients can also cause persistent burning or stinging, inflamed hair follicles or facial rashes that aggravate acne. Speak to a pharmacist, nurse or doctor if these occur. Ointments should not be used on weeping eczema.5

Keep emollients away from flames and cigarettes. Clothing, bedding and dressings with emollient residue can catch fire easily, including with products without paraffin. Washing reduces residue but does not remove it completely.5