What is lanolin oil?
Lanolin oil is a secretion from sheep’s skin. It’s similar to human sebum, an oil secreted by the sebaceous glands that you may notice particularly on your nose. Unlike sebum, lanolin contains no triglycerides. Lanolin is sometimes referred to as “wool fat,” but the term is misleading because it lacks triglycerides needed to be considered a fat.
The purpose of lanolin is to condition and protect sheep’s wool. This conditioning property is why the substance is now widely used in human cosmetics, skin care, and hair products. Lanolin oil is extracted by putting sheep’s wool through a centrifuge machine that separates the oil from other chemicals and debris. The process is performed after the sheep is sheared so the extraction of lanolin causes no harm to sheep. You may already be using products that contain what is lanolin oil without realizing it. Many medicine cabinet staples including lip balms, lotions, and nipple creams contain the amber-colored substance loved for its moisturizing ability.

Lanolin oil benefits
Lanolin oil is known as an emollient, which means it helps soothe dry or dehydrated skin. A 2017 studyTrusted Source indicated that lanolin can reduce water lost through the skin by 20 to 30 percent. Simply put, lanolin is extremely hydrating and has the ability to soften skin to help improve the appearance and the feel of rough, dry, or flaky areas.

Lanolin oil uses
Many products that contain lanolin oil also contain humectant ingredients like aloe, honey, or glycerin. Humectant ingredients actually pull moisture in from the air. Lanolin itself is not a humectant. It can trap water once skin and hair is moist, however. Lanolin is classified as an emollient and an occlusive moisturizer, which means it has the ability to slow water loss from the skin.
1.Lanolin for face wrinkles
Many products that are touted for their “anti-aging” benefits contain lanolin oil or lanolin alcohol. This may lead buyers to believe the lanolin oil has the ability to fight fine lines and wrinkles. While there’s little scientific evidence that this is the case, what is lanolin can hold twice its weight in water. This can plump skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2.Lanolin oil for hair
Because of the emollient, moisture-retaining quality of lanolin oil, it can be a powerhouse ingredient in fighting dryness when applied to wet or moist hair. It won’t work when applied to dry hair because there’s no moisture to trap. Lanolin oil has a waxier texture than other oils designed for hair, and washing with a cleansing shampoo or apple cider vinegar may help to thoroughly remove it from the hair.
3.Lanolin oil for dry lips
Lanolin oil is effective on the lips for the same reasons it helps treat dry skin and hair. One 2016 studyTrusted Source found that a lanolin cream proved effective in people who were experiencing dry lips as a side effect of chemotherapy. Lanolin is able to penetrate the lip barrier, instead of other ingredients that deliver moisture only to the top layer of the lip. It’s generally considered safe to use on newborns with chapped lips, however it’s always a good idea to first check with a pediatrician.
4.Lanolin oil for cracked nipples
The Mayo Clinic recommends lanolin to restore moisture and soothe cracked nipples in people who are breastfeeding. People who are actively breastfeeding should look for 100 percent pure and refined lanolin. Lanolin that isn’t purified may cause an allergic reaction when ingested by the child.