Did you know lanolin was the 2023 allergen of the year, according to the American Contact Dermatitis Society? What is lanolin? Why don’t we use lanolin in our award-winning organic Nipple Cream? Let’s break it down.
WHAT IS LANOLIN
Lanolin is an oil that is naturally secreted from sheep’s skin. The purpose of lanolin is to protect and condition the sheep’s wool, and it is extracted after the sheep is sheared. Because of its conditioning properties, lanolin has become widely used in cosmetics, hair products, and body care.
WHY WE DON’T USE LANOLIN
While many products use lanolin to moisturize and soothe dry skin, we don’t add it to any of our products, including our organic Nipple Cream. While lanolin works great for many people, it can trigger allergic contact dermatitis when applied to inflamed skin (like chapped nursing nipples) and can cause additional discomfort in people who are sensitive or allergic to wool. Some people also find lanolin to be sticky or waxy to the touch and have a difficult time applying that to sensitive skin.
WHAT WE USE IN PLACE OF LANOLIN
Here at Motherlove, we use extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, and shea butter instead of lanolin. These ingredients are all Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. Beeswax has been used as a natural skin care since ancient Egyptian times. In a 2020 review, beeswax was found to soften and lubricate the skin, prevent water loss, provide a protective barrier to the skin, and is also shown to have antiseptic properties. Shea butter is another ingredient proven to have anti-inflammatory and emollient properties to moisturize and soothe skin. Finally, olive oil serves as a great base for many of our products, including Nipple Cream. We use it to help pull out the beneficial herbal constituents and give our products a nice and smooth feel that is easily absorbed by the skin. Olive oil is rich in vitamins, including A, D, K, and E, and is known to moisturize and hydrate skin.
TAKEAWAYS
Many products use lanolin for its conditioning properties; some people swear by it. However, many choose to avoid it for its risks and potential allergens. Lanolin was named the 2023 allergen of the year for this reason. We found the powerhouse of benefits of organic extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, and shea butter to outshine lanolin. As a result of using these nourishing ingredients and our carefully chosen organic herbs, our Nipple Cream isn’t just award-winning; it’s our best-selling product and mom-favorite! Since our skin is the largest organ of our bodies, what we put on our skin matters. Here at Motherlove, we only use clean ingredients and organic herbs in our products to give you peace of mind!
Are you a healthcare provider that would like to introduce Nipple Cream to your clients or your hospital administration? Apply for our Samples Program! We offer 2.5ml sized samples of our USDA Certified Organic, award-winning, lanolin-free Nipple Cream.
Citations:
National Library of Medicine: Lanolin: The 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year
Healthline: What You Need to Know About Lanolin Oil
MD Edge: Lanolin: The 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year
Frontiers: Therapeutic Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Different Honeybee Products
National Library of Medicine: Bee Products in Dermatology and Skin Care
Science Publishing Group: Effects of Topical and Dietary Use of Shea Butter on Animals
International Olive Council: EVOO and Skin
