The sebaceous glands of sheep secrete a pale-yellow oil, called lanolin, that coats their wool. Wool producers see lanolin as a waste product and remove it before manufacturing yarn that becomes sweaters, socks and other goods. Lanoline is used in a number of cosmetics and skin creams. Like honey, lanolin is not considered vegan.
Extraction
The process for separating lanolin from unwashed wool is outlined by Rough Science, a PBS television program. The first step in a multistep process is boiling the wool for a few hours in salt water. The high temperature extracts the lanolin from the wool and suspends it in the boiling water until it cools, forming a film on the top.
Products
Lanolin is an ingredient in a number of products you find at the drugstore. The National Institutes of Health reports that some formulas of baby oil and diaper rash products, as well as lotions, cosmetics, shaving cream and hemorrhoid medications contain lanolin. Lanolin is also used as an emulsifying agent, a substance that stabilizes a mixture and prevents separation by keeping the ingredients well dispersed.
Approval
The Food and Drug Administration approves lanolin as an ingredient in over-the-counter topicals manufactured for skin protection and application to the anorectal area. Lanolin is also approved as an ingredient in chewing gum, to make it softer.
Allergies
According to the British Medical Journal, contact dermatitis is a symptom of a lanolin allergy. When you come in contact with topically applied products that contain lanolin, you may have a reaction. A known allergy since 1930, it eludes detection, with frequent false-negative patch test results.
Caution
If you have sensitivity to pesticides, use caution with lanolin. According to the Sheep Safety and Quality Assurance Program, farmers apply pesticides to sheep to combat parasites, and the pesticides become concentrated in the lanolin. The pesticides may cause harmful chemical exposure to consumers who apply these products topically.
Poisoning
Persons who swallow a product containing lanolin should call the National Poison Control Center. Do not encouraged them to vomit unless instructed to do so. The NIH describes the symptoms of lanolin poisoning as diarrhea, rash, vomiting, swelling and skin redness.
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