In our years, in a fairly large number of cosmetics, lanolin is actively used. Not everyone knows what it is and where it came from, since many are not interested in the composition of their cosmetics.
Origin
Lanolin is a natural wax that is extracted from the fat of sheep’s wool in a special treatment using alkali. That is, this product is a substance of natural origin. The beneficial properties of this fat-like substance were discovered by the ancient Greeks and Romans. In those days, they used crude lanolin, which was their mistake, because this substance in its raw form contains dirt and various other harmful substances. Modern technology allows you to get a clean product. Many women who are accustomed to monitor their appearance, admire this tool. This product is also called animal wax.
Product Description
This substance has a viscous consistency. It can be of different shades, ranging from light yellow to dark brown. Since lanolin is fat, its smell cannot be called pleasant. 10% of the composition of this substance belongs to sterols, cholesterol also belongs to this group. The physical properties of lanolin resemble human skin fat. The melting point of this product is low, it ranges from 36 to 42 degrees. Also lanolin is a good emulsifier. It holds the amount of water that is 2 times its weight.
Anhydrous Lanolin
Anhydrous lanolin has a more complex composition. In it, the presence of free high molecular weight alcohols, mixtures of esters and higher fatty acids is observed. Many cosmetologists claim that the composition of lanolin is very similar to the composition of human skin fat.
Food Industry and Lanolin
In food production, lanolin is used as a glazing agent and antiflaming. Thanks to antiflaming, foaming is prevented, and the consistency of the product becomes uniform. Thanks to the glaze, the product acquires brilliance, and its appearance becomes much more pleasant. Lanolin is one of the constituent components of the mixtures with which fruits are coated.
With the help of such coating mixtures, fruits acquire a fresh and pleasant appearance, due to which they become more attractive and retain their taste for longer. A similar procedure is most often performed on products such as apples, lemons, oranges, pears, plums, pineapples, peaches and melons. The food supplement with lanolin is called E913, it is part of the glaze on various food products. They can be flour confectionery, as well as dragees, nuts, sweets, chocolate and chewing gum.
Lanolin properties
This product is not the last in the production of cosmetics due to its excellent ability to absorb and retain moisture. For example, a cream, which includes lanolin, has the ability to penetrate deeply into the layers of the skin, moisturizing it for a long time. Thanks to this, wrinkles are smoothed out; moreover, their appearance is prevented.
When using a cream, which includes lanolin, a protective coating in the form of a thin film forms on the skin. Due to this, the environment minimally affects the human body. Frost, sun, dust and dirt are not terrible if lanolin is present in the cream. What is this miracle substance? This is what the nature of animals has endowed.
Lanolin provides hydration of the skin, due to which there is an early healing of cracks and wounds. And regular use completely prevents their development. In addition, this tool produces an anti-inflammatory and cooling effect.
Lanolin in cosmetics
Fully lanolin is used only in cosmetology. It is part of almost any lipstick, and also acts as a harmless and soft foundation for many creams. This product is good because when applied it is quickly and deeply absorbed, due to which it does not leave greasy marks on the skin, and, consequently, on clothing. Often, women use lanolin to make natural homemade cosmetics. Using it, you can prepare creams and masks that can be applied to the skin around the eyes or to the entire face. There are also recipes for creams with lanolin for the legs.
Lanolin for hair
This component is also used in other cosmetics. For example, you can find shampoo with lanolin. Due to the presence of this component, the hair acquires a healthy appearance and shine, and their structure is also improved. Due to these properties, lanolin is an integral component of conditioners and hair masks. Many believe that this tool promotes the growth of hair. This is not so, the length of the curls is absolutely independent of this substance.
Lanolin against cracks
There are also ointments that contain lanolin. Ointment is most often aimed at preventing cracks. It is used by nursing mothers to protect nipples from wounds. To become a component of such a tool, lanolin undergoes a high purification, after which it becomes harmless to infants even when ingested.
For such purposes, oil is sometimes used, the main component of which is lanolin. The oil helps to restore and moisturize, provides nutrition, maintains a water-fat balance of the integument. Thanks to lanolin oil, human skin becomes soft and velvety.
Medical use
How is lanolin used in this industry? What is it and why did this component find a place here? This substance has several properties that should be repelled - moisturizing and healing wounds. In medicine, it acts as the basis for a medical patch and adhesive dressings. Lanolin is one of the components of a hydrophilic ointment. In this case, eye ointment is also no exception.
Use of lanolin in other industries
This substance can be used in other directions. For example, concrete production is almost impossible without this component. In addition, this product is used to create lubricants. In the means that protect clothes and shoes from water and dirt, lanolin is also present.
Does lanolin have flaws?
What it is has already become extremely clear, but it seems that this is some kind of miracle product without flaws. Such an opinion is erroneous. Lanolin, like all natural remedies, has its drawbacks. One of them is the ability to cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, before using a cream or ointment with the presence of lanolin, you need to test it by applying a product on the skin of the hand below the wrist. If irritation does not appear after a day, the cream can be safely used.
Pure lanolin should not be applied to the skin. In this form, it is very thick, which makes it stretch the skin when applied. Most often, this leads to the formation of wrinkles. Pure lanolin promotes clogging of pores, which causes swelling, since the skin does not breathe. An allergic reaction most often occurs when applying lanolin in its pure form, rather than in diluted form.
Lanolin. Reviews
Reviews from many men and women confirm that lanolin really helps smooth wrinkles. If you use it regularly, not only old wrinkles are smoothed out, but also new ones do not appear. Many mothers who breastfeed their babies experience cracks in their nipples, accompanied by pain. They only respond positively to this product, as it helped them cope with the problem and prevented the formation of new wounds.
Women who used lanolin to strengthen their hair were also satisfied with this shampoo, their hair became stronger and healthier. Negative reviews can be heard from people who have tried to use lanolin body oil. They argue that the product is not absorbed for a long time, the skin after it remains oily. Many say that it was after the oil that an allergy appeared. This is natural, because it is a very concentrated product.
You can try to prepare homemade creams or masks with this tool, so it will be much cheaper than buying a cream of a famous brand. You can buy lanolin in the pharmacy in its pure form, and then gradually use it, creating various home-made cosmetics. In any case, lanolin has many positive properties that you just need to use.