Can I Use Lanolin for Skin Lightening? (Explained)

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Do you also look for easy ways to look good without messing up or undergoing skin treatments? I am one of them, so if you are also on my track, let me tell you what magic lanolin can do for you. You may ask: Can I use lanolin for skin lightening?

To tell you, lanolin is not for skin lightening. It is an extract from sheep wool containing wax that naturally works as a moisturizer against dry, chapped skin. It has conditioning properties that lock the moisture inside the skin. It also has radiation therapy for diaper rash, cracked heels and nipple cracks.

Knowing the properties of lanolin would help you know its various uses, rather its wonders. The dark sides of it are also to be brought to light if you are allergic to any of the substances it contains, let us explore the ifs and buts of lanolin to make use of it to the fullest.

What Is Lanolin? What Is It Made From?

Lanolin is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of animals that contain wool. It is also called wool yolk, wool grease or wool wax. The lanolin used by humans is made from sheep.

Well, sheep serve many services. The wax is a natural protector for sheep against environmental hazards.  The best part is the absence of animal cruelty in obtaining the wax from the animal.

Lanolin is obtained from the live sheep by the sheep shearers through a machine with expertise. It is an oily secretion taken when the sheep are shorn yearly. The wool is first washed and processed; then, the lanolin oil is extracted and refined.   

Lanolin Ingredients

The basic ingredients of lanolin are as follows:

●  Long chain waxy esters (97 % by weight)

●  Lanlin acids

●  Lanolin alcohol

●  Lanolin hydrocarbons

●  Fatty esters (14-24%)

●  Sterols and triterpene alcohol esters (45-65%)

●  Free alcohol (6-20%)

●  Sterols (cholesterol, lanosterol) and terpenes (4-5%).

                                                    ~(Fawaz F et al., Ann Pharm Fr 1974, 32, 215).

Can I Use Lanolin for Skin Lightening?

Well as I mentioned earlier, the application of lanolin won’t let your skin whiter. Yet, in some cases, its effects ultimately lead to a lighter skin tone.

In winter, the dryness makes skin patchy and dead-looking. It is more with people who have extremely dry skin.

Integrative and functional medicine physician Frank Lipman calls lanolin a winter skin wonder.

Thus, for dry skin, it is a toner of skin lightening.

Smoother and healthier skin with enough moisture would look bright and fresh than dry, patchy, irritated skin.

Who must avoid Lanolin for better skin?

As discussed, dry skin invites good results from lanolin. On the contrary, people with irritated, acne-prone skin must avoid lanolin.

London-based aesthetic doctor, oculoplastic surgeon, and the creator of MZ Skin, Maryam Zamani, says that she would deny using lanolin if she has a problem with skin or clogged pores.

The skin damage will let you down if you use lanolin in such conditions.

Some of the ingredients of lanolin are mentioned again:

●  Long chain waxy esters (97 % by weight)

●  Lanolin hydrocarbons

●  Fatty esters (14-24%)

These support lock of moisture and water retention in the inner layers of skin. A person with oily skin or congested pores would be rejecting lanolin. This could be killing his skin’s health.

Also See: Does Lanolin Tighten Skin?

What are the benefits of Lanolin on the skin?

 Lanolin has the qualities of vaseline, although it is far more different than vaseline. The users find it much lighter and more pleasant to use than vaseline.

Following are the benefits of lanolin that make it more likely to be bought:

●  It is breathable and light on the skin.

●  A pure and refined form of lanolin would be a nipple repairer. It heals the cracks on nipples by moisturizing the chapped area gently.

●  It is not harmful if taken in small amounts, especially by babies during breastfeeding.

●  Lanolin, known as an emollient, works to smoothen excessively dry skin.

●  It is a hydrating agent that makes the skin soft and moist to remove dry, flaky areas.

●  Lanolin’s ingredient helps lock water in the skin and is classified as an occlusive moisturizer. It means it slows down the process of water loss from the skin.

●  It is a good pick for chapped lips and a major ingredient of Carmex. The ability of lanolin to penetrate within helps it to soften the winner layer of lips.

●  Dry, frizzy hair? Lanolin can be a savior. It nourishes the hair by deep conditioning them. However, removing lanolin from hair may require an effort with a good shampoo or apple cider vinegar.

●  Lanolin also can work as an active ingredient in manicure and pedicure products. It helps the nails to stay away from dryness.

●  Lanolin is an anti-aging cream ingredient that treats wrinkles and fine lines on your face.

Note:  Considering lanolin as a lightening agent to the skin is not a positive thought. It is basically a moisturizer, not a bleaching agent. You may say that as a makeup blending element, it has value. Similarly, it is a lubricant that helps remove makeup but doesn’t have any bleaching effect or work on skin lightening.

Related Posts:
-Is Turmeric and Olive Oil Good for Skin Whitening?
-Does Jergens Ultra Healing Lighten the Skin?

Can I apply Lanolin cream on my face?

Yes, you can apply it to the face without any tension. But there are exceptions like any other application of a cream. If you have a problem with acne or oily skin, avoid the cream as it locks in moisture.

How do you apply Lanolin to your skin?

●  Firstly, you need to manage a pure Lanolin for your Skin type. Try to collect it from a trustworthy source because the skin care market has many duplicate items.

●  Sanitize your hand and skin before applying this item to your skin.

●  You apply it to the skin by simply scooping it out on your fingers. You would find it hard at room temperature, but it would start melting when it comes to your fingers.

●      Just rub it in your finger pores and put it on your skin.

Here is a video link to get an exact way of applying it to your face or lips.

Tips you may like to use Lanolin more effectively

While you use a skin product, it is important to see your skin specialist for better guidance.

You may require priming before using it or shaking the bottle. Still, it depends on your consultant’s advice. Most moisturizers demand clean, damp skin before use. It would be beneficial to make it a habit to use lanolin after bathing.

For Dry hands, you need to apply it after every hand wash. It is better to clean the rash area, which is wiped, to apply it to the diaper rash.

If you are looking forward to using the cream on radiation burns, I suggest you see the doctor and follow the advice to use it.

P.S→ It is always safe to do a patch test before starting a new product. It helps you to avoid any allergic reactions on the skin.

Does Lanolin penetrate skin?

Yes, lanolin does penetrate the skin. If you ask how, it is because of the active ingredients that can be absorbed into the deeper layer of skin.

Lanolin contains lanolin acids which help it go deeper into the skin and stay there to soften the skin cells.

That is why lanolin is an emollient. To get this benefit in the best possible way, you need to leave it on your skin overnight, where it penetrates for moisture retention.

Does Lanolin help with acne?

No, it does not help with acne. Before understanding the causes or outbreaks of acne, it is good to know about the clogging of pores.

Clogging occurs when dirt, dead skin cells and excessive sebum stay. However, acne is not the only condition. The presence of bacterial infection causes acne.

So far, the clogging of pores is concerned; lanolin is unique in moisturizing the skin without clogging pores. Strangely though, it is not good for people having acne-prone skin.

In simpler words, you may understand that it is not clogging pores but is not a suitable choice for people prone to acne.

If your skin is prone toacne, you must avoid the following derivatives of lanolin:

·        Acetylated lanolin alcohol

·        Ethoxylated lanolin

·        PEG 16 lanolin and

·        Solution 16

What are the side effects of Lanolin?

There aren’t any biggies regarding lanolin’s dark sides, especially if it is in its pure form. The above-explained details of acne are one of the dark sides of lanolin.

However, I can list out a few red zones which you must consider while using lanolin:

●  Even when made in refined form, Lanolin has a high risk of impurities. These can cause allergies to the skin if you are prone to allergies.

●  Another warning is the use of bleach for whitening the color of cream in some manufacturers.  Therefore, be aware of such additives if you are looking for a completely pure lanolin.

●  The eating habits of sheep may add pesticides as the food contains these chemicals. These chemicals can affect the composition of lanolin.

FAQ

 Does Lanolin protect my skin from the sun?

Yes, the protective layer of oil on the skin protects it from sunburn. Lanolin PEG 75 is a formulation with scratches that has light scattering substances and antioxidant capacity.

Can I put Lanolin on my lips?

Lanolin is a very good choice as a lip balm. It treats the dry, scaly and chapped lips by locking in the moisture and retaining the softness.

Can you use too much Lanolin?

You can use it depending upon your skin condition. The advice by your dermatologist sets the limit to which you can apply it.

Is Lanolin Cancerous?

Lanolin is not cancerous. Yes, the pesticides may cause them to become toxic if they are in a larger quantity.

When do you use Lanolin?

You use lanolin when you are facing dryness on your skin, especially in winter. It locks in moisture to keep your skin moist.

Does Lanolin need to be washed off?

No, it can stay on your skin overnight. Especially in the case of breastfeeding, if you use it on cracked nipples, you do not need to wipe it off like other ointments.

Is Lanolin a steroid?

No, it is not a steroid on its own. However, some creams in which lanolin is added as an ingredient may contain steroids.

Can you use Lanolin on dry skin?

Yes, of course. Lanolin has the basic aim of treating your dry skin by creating a protective yet penetrating layer on your skin in dry weather.

My Final Opinion

Lanolin, though not a skin-lightening agent, has many benefits which can not be ignored. The best thing about it is the purity of the product, which relieves you from the burden of chemicals.

Like every positive ending note, the golden tip would be to get it prescribed by the derma expert according to your skin condition. Have a good time!