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| Catalog Number | CI-SC-0513 |
| Product Name | Lanolin |
| CAS | 8006-54-0 |
| Synonyms | Lanolins;Anhydrous Lanum;Lanolin TR;Laniol;Lanox FPK 108 |
| Description | Lanolin is a natural wax-like substance that is derived from sheep's wool. It is also called wool wax or wool grease. Lanolin is a mixture of cholesterol, esters, and fatty acids that is used in various cosmetic and medicinal products due to its emollient and moisturizing properties. Lanolin is commonly used in skin care products, such as lotions and creams, because of its ability to hydrate and protect the skin. It is also used in hair care products, such as shampoos and conditioners, to help smooth and soften the hair. |
| IUPAC Name | Octadecyl hexadecanoate |
| Canonical SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCOC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC |
| InChI | BILPUZXRUDPOOF-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| InChI Key | InChI=1S/C34H68O2/c1-3-5-7-9-11-13-15-17-18-19-21-23-25-27-29-31-33-36-34(35)32-30-28-26-24-22-20-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2/h3-33H2,1-2H3 |
| Melting Point | 38-40 °C |
| Flash Point | 209 °C |
| Density | 0.932-0.945 g/mL |
| Appearance | soft, greasy, yellow substance |
| Application | 1. Skin Care: Lanolin is commonly used in skin care products such as lotions, creams, and lip balms due to its moisturizing properties. It helps to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness and chapping. 2. Medical: Lanolin is used in medical ointments and creams due to its ability to help heal and soothe irritated skin. It is also used in wound dressings and as a lubricant during medical procedures. 3. Cosmetics: Lanolin is used in cosmetics such as makeup, hair care products, and nail polish to enhance their texture and moisturizing properties. 4. Industrial: Lanolin is used as a lubricant and rust inhibitor in various industrial applications such as machinery and metalworking. 5. Textiles: Lanolin is used in the textile industry to help waterproof and protect fabrics such as wool and leather. 6. Baby products: Lanolin is used in baby products such as diaper creams and lotions due to its natural and safe properties. |
| Features And Benefits | 1. Lanolin is a natural emollient which helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin. 2. It has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to reduce skin irritation and redness. 3. Lanolin is a humectant, which means it can help to draw moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated for longer. 4. It forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss and shielding the skin from environmental damage. 5. Lanolin has a high melting point, which makes it solid at room temperature and easier to apply to the skin. |
Lanolin, sourced from the wax of sheared sheep wool and refined to meet cosmetic standards, is a versatile anhydrous wax ester renowned for its beneficial properties. It serves as an excellent emollient, skin lubricant, and protectant, making it particularly valuable during harsh winter conditions where temperature extremes can damage the skin. Lanolin's unique ability to mimic and enhance human skin lipids, coupled with its remarkable capacity to emulsify water and retain over 200% of its weight, positions it as a natural reservoir for moisture, aiding in the maintenance of skin hydration. Due to its cholesterol-rich composition, lanolin effectively treats brittle hair, nails, and dry, rough areas such as elbows, knees, and feet. In natural cosmetic formulations, lanolin enhances the thickness and body of creams and salves without resorting to chemical thickeners, and it is also a superb choice for dry skin treatments and hair pomades, offering protection and added shine. Its extra-purified form is particularly beneficial for soothing chapped or irritated skin during breastfeeding. Additionally, lanolin's ability to form semi-permeable films supports skin barrier repair, significantly reducing transepidermal water loss and outperforming alternatives like ceramides, glycerol, and petrolatum.
Carrer, Victor, et al. Pharmaceutics, 2018, 10(3), 73.
Lanolin was combined with two synthetic membranes (Strat-M and Nucleopore) as a percutaneous absorption model for transdermal drug delivery, where lanolin was used to simulate the lipid matrix responsible for the local barrier function. The results showed that the addition of lanolin to both membranes enhanced the barrier function, resulting in a decrease in water permeability, which is promising as a method to simulate the absorption of topical active substances.
Preparation procedure of lanolin-modified membranes
· Strat-M-Lanolin: To incorporate lanolin into the Strat-M membranes, 100 µL of a 5% lanolin solution in hexane:ethanol (2:1) was applied three times on the membranes under nitrogen flow. The Strat-M-lanolin membranes were then heated at 85 °C for 10 minutes to stabilize the lipids and dehydrate the membrane.
· Nucleopore-Lanolin: The Nucleopore membranes were first hydrated with hexane:ethanol 96% (2:1) and subsequently air-dried. Following this, 100 µL of a 5% lanolin solution in hexane:ethanol 96% (2:1) was applied under nitrogen. The membranes were then stored in a vacuum desiccator at 2-6 °C for 24 hours. Finally, the membranes were heated at 85 °C for 10 minutes, left at room temperature for 3 hours, and were then ready to be used.
Sagiri, Sai Sateesh, et al. Journal of applied polymer science, 2013, 128(6), 3831-3839.
A lanolin(Ln)-based emulsion gel was developed by thermal emulsification for the controlled release of the model drug salicylic acid (SA). The results showed that the drug release rate and thermal stability of the gel increased with increasing water content in the gel. The gel had sufficient spreadability and biocompatibility to be used as a topical preparation. In addition, the SA-loaded gel showed good antibacterial effect against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis.
Preparation of lanolin emulsion gels
· Ten grams of lanolin (Ln) were melted at a temperature of 55 °C. Following this, 0.1 g of Span 80 (sorbitan monooleate, SMO) (1% wt/wt) was incorporated into the melted Ln and then stirred at 1500 rpm using an overhead stirrer. Subsequently, double distilled water was added slowly to the mixture while continuous stirring took place. The stirring process continued for 45 minutes after the water addition. Different amounts of double distilled water were used to create semi-solid formulations with varying proportions of Ln and water.
· As for the model drug, SA was utilized. Formulations containing the drug were prepared by dispersing 2% (wt/wt) of SA in the melted Ln, and the remaining steps were carried out as previously described.
What is lanolin, and how is it obtained?
Lanolin is an anhydrous wax ester derived from the wax found on sheep wool after shearing. This substance is refined and purified to meet cosmetic specifications. It possesses a characteristic odor and can be sticky when used in large quantities within formulations.
What are the primary benefits of lanolin for skin and hair care?
Lanolin is a highly effective emollient, skin lubricant, and protectant, making it particularly beneficial during winter when the skin is exposed to harsh environmental conditions. It is rich in cholesterol, which helps in treating brittle hair and fingernails, as well as dry and raw areas like the elbows, knees, and feet.
How does lanolin aid in skin moisture retention?
The moisturization properties of lanolin are well-documented because it can emulsify water and hold over 200% of its weight. This quality allows it to act as a natural moisture reservoir, helping to maintain the water content of the skin.
Can lanolin be used in natural cosmetic formulations?
Yes, lanolin is highly valued in natural cosmetic formulations as it adds thickness and 'body' to creams and salves without the need for chemical thickeners. It is an excellent choice for creating products aimed at dry skin and pomades that protect and add shine to wavy, textured hair.
Is lanolin suitable for treating chapped nipples during breastfeeding?
Extra-purified lanolin is specifically used for the treatment of chapped or irritated nipples during breastfeeding due to its gentle and soothing properties.
How does lanolin help in repairing the skin barrier function?
Lanolin forms semi-permeable films that have been shown to significantly reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by approximately 32%. These films are around 50 μm in thickness and have proven to be superior to those formed by ceramides, glycerol, and petrolatum in terms of helping repair skin barrier function.
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