page_title: Lanolin
section_title: Applications
hierarchical_section_title: Lanolin / Applications
caption_attribution_description: English: Lansinoh lanonlin ointment.
context_page_description: Lanolin, also called wool yolk, wool wax, or wool grease, is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep breeds that are raised specifically for their wool. Historically, many pharmacopoeias have referred to lanolin as wool fat; however, as lanolin lacks glycerides, it is not a true fat. Lanolin primarily consists of sterol esters instead. Lanolin's waterproofing property aids sheep in shedding water from their coats. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin.
  Lanolin's role in nature is to protect wool and skin from climate and the environment; it also plays a role in skin hygiene. Lanolin and its derivatives are used in the protection, treatment and beautification of human skin.
context_section_description: Lanolin and its many derivatives are used extensively in both the personal care (e.g., high value cosmetics, facial cosmetics, lip products) and health care sectors such as topical liniments. Lanolin is also found in lubricants, rust-preventive coatings, shoe polish, and other commercial products.
  Lanolin is a relatively common allergen and is often misunderstood as a wool allergy. However, allergy to a lanolin-containing product is difficult to pinpoint and often other products containing lanolin may be fine for use. Patch testing can be done if a lanolin allergy is suspected.
  It is frequently used in protective baby skin treatment and for sore nipples in breastfeeding mothers.
  Lanolin is used commercially in many industrial products ranging from rustproof coatings to lubricants. Some sailors use lanolin to create slippery surfaces on their propellers and stern gear to which barnacles cannot adhere. Commercial products (e.g. Lanocote) containing up to 85% lanolin are used to prevent corrosion in marine fasteners, especially when two different metals are in contact with each other and saltwater. The water-repellent properties make it valuable in many applications as a lubricant grease where corrosion would otherwise be a problem.
  7-Dehydrocholesterol from lanolin is used as a raw material for producing vitamin D₃ by irradiation with ultraviolet light.
  Baseball players often use it to soften and break in their baseball gloves (shaving cream with lanolin is popularly used for this).
  Anhydrous liquid lanolin, combined with parabens, has been used in trials as artificial tears to treat dry eye.
  
  Anhydrous lanolin is also used as a lubricant for brass instrument tuning slides.
  Lanolin can also be restored to woollen garments to make them water and dirt repellent, such as for cloth diaper covers.
  Lanolin is also used in lip balm products such as Carmex. For some people, it can irritate the lips.
  Lanolin is sometimes used by people on continuous positive airway pressure therapy to reduce irritation with masks, particular nasal pillow masks that can often create sore spots in the nostrils.
  Lanolin is a popular additive to moustache wax, particularly 'extra-firm' varieties.
  Lanolin is used as a primary lubricating component in aerosol-based brass lubricants in the ammunition reloading process. Mixed warm 1:12 with highly concentrated ethanol (usually 99%), the ethanol acts as a carrier which evaporates quickly after application, leaving a fine film of lanolin behind to prevent brass seizing in resizing dies.
  Lanolin, when mixed with ingredients such as neatsfoot oil, beeswax and glycerol, is used in various leather treatments, for example in some saddle soaps and in leather care products.
caption: Lanolin ointment
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