Eczema is a common skin condition that requires treatment. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to help manage and treat this uncomfortable and itchy skin condition.
Lanolin comes from sheep wool and is extracted without harming the animals. It is a weak sensitizer and has been shown to cause little or no allergic reactions in allergy-prone individuals. There are multiple reasons why should try using lanolin in your eczema skincare routine.
It Moisturizes The Skin
Lanolin is a natural moisturizer that can help the skin feel soft and supple. It helps to lock in the moisture and prevents the skin from becoming dry, which can exacerbate the symptoms of eczema. This is why lanolin-based products are commonly used by people with dry skin, including those who suffer from eczema.
However, it’s important to use only highly-purified lanolin that is made for skin care purposes. The lanolin should be non-greasy or sticky, and it should contain no fragrances or dyes. It also needs to be able to penetrate the skin easily so that it can provide the necessary moisture. If the lanolin is too thick, it won’t be able to do its job and may even cause the skin to become clogged.
In addition, individuals with eczema need to ensure that the lanolin they are using does not cause an allergic reaction or sensitivity. This can be done by performing a patch test before applying a product to the skin and waiting 24-48 hours to see if there is a reaction.
The good news is that lanolin has been shown to be safe for most individuals with eczema when used as directed. It’s an excellent option for moisturizing the skin and preventing dryness and itching, which can improve the quality of life for people with eczema.
It Soothes The Skin
Lanolin oil is an excellent emollient and helps to reduce water loss from the skin. It also soothes the skin by filling in cracks and reducing itching. It’s also known to protect the skin from irritants and allergens, which is good for eczema sufferers.
This powerhouse ingredient is derived from the natural oils secreted by sheep to condition their wool. The oils are collected when the sheep are sheared. It’s a completely natural and cruelty-free ingredient that is used in many medicine cabinet staples, including lip balms, lotions, and nipple creams. You may even already be using lanolin without knowing it! You can find it in products such as petroleum jelly and Vaseline.
The emollient properties of lanolin make it great for soothing dry, scaly skin. It also provides the skin with moisture, which can help to keep it hydrated and prevents further damage from drying ingredients such as perfumes and preservatives.
It’s important to remember that if you are allergic to wool, you should avoid any product that contains lanolin because it is derived from the same substance. However, lanolin allergies are very rare.
Scientific research has shown that lanolin can help to repair the skin barrier, which is damaged by eczema and other conditions. Lanolin closely resembles the natural oils that are made by the skin and can penetrate deep into the skin layers to restore the protective barrier. It also has the ability to hold multiple times its own weight in water, bringing that moisture deep into the skin.
It Protects The Skin
Lanolin acts as an occlusive and locks in moisture, which can help heal skin damaged by eczema. Regular use of moisturizers can also improve the appearance of scaly, itchy and flaky skin. However, it is important to note that lanolin cannot cure eczema and should be used under the guidance of a medical professional.
In addition to its moisturizing properties, lanolin can provide skin with protective benefits. It can shield the skin against the elements, such as cold weather and pollution. It can even act as a barrier to stop water from leaving the body, which can lead to dryness.
It can even prevent the skin from losing its natural oils, which can help with hydration and repair. When the skin is protected, it can keep its elasticity and firmness, which can decrease irritation and itching.
When choosing products that contain lanolin, make sure they are fragrance and dye-free. This is important for people with sensitive skin, as these can trigger allergic reactions. Additionally, lanolin should not be applied to broken or raw skin. Instead, these products should be reserved for ointments and occlusive creams that can be used on healing skin, such as cuts, scrapes, or raw nipples.
In short, lanolin is an excellent ingredient to use in skincare products. It provides hydration, comfort, and protection for the skin, especially when used in ointments and occlusive products designed specifically for irritated or broken skin.
It’s Safe For Sensitive Skin
For anyone that deals with sensitive skin, lanolin is the perfect ingredient to help heal dry patches. It creates a light barrier to lock in moisture without feeling too heavy or sticky. Unlike other occlusive creams or ointments that can irritate the skin and make it more sensitive, lanolin is gentle and soothing. It even helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles by keeping the skin hydrated.
In fact, lanolin is so safe that it’s found in many medicine cabinet staples like lip balms, lotions, and nipple creams. It’s even used to rehydrate burns and scrapes due to their super emollient properties. It’s important to note that lanolin may cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people with compromised skin barriers (eczema, sore nipples after breastfeeding, etc.). If you do experience a rash when using a product with lanolin, consult a medical dermatologist for a formal patch test and/or switch to another emollient.
While some people are concerned about the animal sourcing of lanolin, the process is relatively humane and doesn’t harm sheep in any way. The oil is extracted after the wool has been sheared, and then put through a centrifuge machine that separates out the waxy substance. The resulting lanolin is then purified and found in many skin care products. It’s also much safer than the chemical urea, which can trigger allergic reactions in eczema sufferers and actually aggravates the itching of your rashes instead of calming them.
