Lanolin products are best for dry and damage skin.
For those of us with dry skin, finding moisturizing solutions with active ingredients can be challenging. Lanolin, a substance that relieves and protects dry, cracked skin while restoring hydration, may be just what your skin needs to survive the harsh, dry winter months.
Andrzej Witowski, a cosmetic chemist and founder of ElmaSkinCare, analyzes lanolin and its advantages for the skin.
Lanolin Equals Emollient
It locks moisture into the skin, revitalizing and healing it, and helps the skin hydrate itself from the inside. Elma's Lanolin treatments can be applied morning and night.
Lanolin helps trap hydration within the skin.
Let's discuss the origin of this superb ingredient before diving into practicalities. Lanolin is present in the sheared wool of sheep. This oil waterproofs and detoxifies their wool jackets. In its pure form, it's a golden wax. Lanolin is considered a skincare wonder because it soothes dry, cracked skin and protects against severe weather. Lanolin's covering action prevents moisture loss.
Lanolin has been used since ancient Greek times to create hydrating skincare treatments. As an emollient, lanolin seals moisture into the skin, making it ideal for winter. It also possesses antimicrobial properties, like our Titan rescue balm. This powerful component is derived from sheep wool oil. Lanolin is collected during wool shearing, and while it's sometimes criticized for being animal-based, it serves as an emollient, retaining moisture and reducing skin dryness. Emollients relieve rough, itching, or scaly skin. Lanolin is used as a breast ointment for nursing women, in diaper rash treatments for newborns, and in lip balms.
Lanolin Skin Benefits
Lanolin helps with dry, cracked skin and rough, scaly spots.
Lanolin's non-occlusive barrier doesn't suffocate the skin or feel heavy. It's also effective at removing makeup.
Healing: Its emollient qualities treat irritated skin by producing an oily layer, which can improve dry, scaly spots.
Lanolin keeps the skin hydrated. Its emollient nature enhances the moisturizing characteristics of other chemicals, making it an essential component in many of Elma's creams. "It's used in cosmetics for its moisturizing and protecting qualities," adds our chemist, Andrew Witowski. It's found in thick face and body creams for moisturization, soothing, and emulsification.
Because lanolin retains so much moisture, it can smooth and fill in lines and wrinkles, making it effective in anti-aging solutions.
Lanolin penetrates the skin's moisture barrier to heal cracked skin.
Lanolin's Risks
If you're sensitive to wool, avoid lanolin. If you have clogged pores, Andrew Witowski advises, "I wouldn't use lanolin on clogged pores or troubled skin."
Skin-irritating: Lanolin can irritate delicate skin and induce allergic responses on damaged skin. Andrew Witowski says that lanolin mixed with herbs in ointments and creams treats cracked skin, eczema, burns, scrapes, and other ailments, but always do a patch test to avoid a possible allergic reaction.
Lanolin use varies by product, so be sure to read the directions before introducing new items to your routine.
Lanolin is present in numerous skincare products and formulas. Applying your selected product overnight or for an extended period will help lanolin penetrate the skin and retain moisture.
Lanolin-rich products like Titan, our rescue balm, or Achilles Athlete's foot treatment and prevention are available.
