What Is Lanolin & Where Does It Come From?
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If you’ve ever slathered on a rich balm that instantly softened your skin or lips, there’s a good chance it contained lanolin. But what exactly is lanolin, and where does it come from? While it sounds a little mysterious, the truth is surprisingly simple — and kind of amazing. Let’s dig in.
What Is Lanolin?
Lanolin is a natural waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. It acts as a built-in conditioner for their wool, keeping it waterproof and flexible. In its raw form, lanolin is a thick, golden-yellow grease — sometimes called wool wax or wool grease.
When refined, it becomes a skin-friendly moisturizer that mimics the oils our own skin produces. That similarity is exactly why it’s so effective — lanolin is one of the closest matches to human sebum, making it highly compatible with our skin barrier.
How Is Lanolin Collected?
Here’s where it gets cool: lanolin is a by-product of wool shearing, which means no harm comes to sheep. Sheep naturally grow thick wool coats and need to be shorn (given a “haircut”) at least once a year to stay healthy.
- Shearing – Farmers shear the wool once or twice a year.
- Scouring – The raw wool is washed in hot water and mild soap. During this process, the lanolin (wool grease) is released.
- Separation – Centrifuges and filters separate lanolin from the wash water.
- Refining – To make it safe for skincare, lanolin is purified and deodorized. Medical-grade lanolin goes through additional refining to remove impurities, making it safe enough to use on nursing mothers and babies.
The end product is a smooth, pale golden ointment — clean, hypoallergenic, and ready to hydrate dry skin.
A Little History
Humans have been using lanolin for centuries. Ancient civilizations recognized its protective, soothing properties and used it in ointments and salves. By the 19th century, lanolin became a staple in medicinal creams and eventually found its way into modern skincare, where it remains one of the most trusted ingredients for intense hydration.
Why Does This Matter for Skincare?
Because lanolin is so close to the oils our skin produces, it’s like giving your skin a boost of its own natural moisturizer. It doesn’t just sit on the surface — it penetrates, softens, and holds up to 2–4 times its weight in water, keeping skin hydrated for hours.
QUILT’s Connection to Lanolin
At QUILT, we believe in lanolin as nature’s ultimate moisturizer, which is why it’s the star of our debut product, The Balm. We source ultra-pure lanolin that’s safe, sustainable, and effective. Curious why we’re so obsessed? Check out our Why Lanolin page, where we break down the science behind this powerhouse ingredient.
FAQs
Is lanolin vegan?
No. Lanolin comes from sheep’s wool, so it’s not vegan.
Is lanolin cruelty-free?
Yes. Lanolin is collected from shorn wool, and no sheep are harmed in the process. (We’ll dig deeper in our Is Lanolin Cruelty-Free and Vegan? article.)
What’s the difference between raw lanolin and medical-grade lanolin?
Medical-grade lanolin is ultra-refined, removing impurities so it’s safe for the most sensitive uses (like baby-safe nipple balms).
Key Takeaway
Lanolin is a natural, cruelty-free by-product of wool that’s been trusted for centuries to soothe, heal, and hydrate skin. Its origin story — from sheep’s wool to your skincare routine — is part of what makes it so unique. And at QUILT, we’re proud to carry that tradition forward with clean, purposeful products built around this incredible ingredient.