Lanolin for face and hair in cosmetics: what are the advantages of the substance

Lanolin face cream is a popular skin care product. It is popular mainly due to its accessibility. But is it good for the skin? Let's look at the composition of this product, find out reviews and draw conclusions.

Only a lazy woman does not strive to look young. In pursuit of beautiful skin, women sometimes spare no expense, no time, and sometimes no health.

But what to do if for some reason you can’t buy expensive skin care products, but you want to look good?

This is where inexpensive creams come to the rescue, which can be purchased, in essence, for pennies in the nearest supermarket.

Such purchases are often spontaneous, sometimes thanks to advice on the Internet.

But the question arises: will such a cheap product help solve skin problems and will it cause harm?

In order to answer this question, just look at the composition of such a cream.

Composition and action

Thanks to its composition, the face cream has amazing effects:

Additional ingredients: non-allergenic petroleum jelly, water, paraffin, emulsion wax and ceresin to give the desired consistency and viscosity, emulsifiers, preservatives and fragrance.

The use of a cream based on the content of oils and fats combats dry skin, makes it elastic and firm, which in turn is beneficial in the prevention of age-related wrinkles.

Beneficial features

Lanolin nourishes the stratum corneum of the epidermis, having both antistatic and emulsifying functions. The relationship of lanolin with water and lipids gives it the ability to restore the natural water-lipid mantle of the skin. In general, applying lanolin to the skin not only softens it, but makes it less sensitive to any negative effects.

Due to its composition, lanolin can be divided into oil (liquid fraction) and wax (solid fraction). Due to their water-repellent properties, both fractions are widely used in skin care cosmetics, since they reliably protect the epidermis from negative environmental factors. In addition, lanolin has a number of other beneficial properties:

• regenerating due to the participation of transport of useful substances to cells and activation of connective tissue fibroblasts;
• moisturizing, smoothing wrinkles;
• the ability to retain moisture inside the dermis due to the formation of a film on its surface;
• protecting the skin from temperature changes, hair from separation, fragility, eyebrows from loss;
• emollient: quickly absorbed into the epidermis without leaving a feeling of greasy.

Lanolin is easy to use because it does not stain clothes. Children can accidentally swallow the substance and this will not be a tragedy - lanolin is safe.

Directions for use and dosage

1. According to the instructions, it is necessary to apply lanolin-based cream to previously cleansed skin of the face, neck and other areas of the body - once or twice a day, without touching the hair.
2. After a third of an hour, remove the remaining composition from the face with a paper towel.

As a protective agent in dermatology, the cream is used in the autumn-winter period for any skin type - apply half an hour before going outside.

Why is lanolin added to creams?

Thanks to its amazing properties of retaining moisture (up to 200% of its weight), this wax perfectly moisturizes the skin and saturates it with moisture . In addition, it maintains skin tone, and due to its nourishing and moisturizing agents, it is a good means of preventing and treating wrinkles.

Also, due to its structure and properties, wool wax smoothes the skin well . Due to the fact that lanolin perfectly retains other components of the composition, it is often added to creams and other cosmetics.

Today, lanolin is one of the most popular, useful and effective ways to restore youthful and beautiful skin..

There are three main purposes for which lanolin is added to caring cosmetics:

• The most important thing is to restore the skin's hydrobalance , which lanolin copes with more than successfully. Thanks to this property, it also prevents minor rashes and inflammations that often appear on dry skin;
• Due to its thickness, lanolin perfectly protects the skin from cold and wind , therefore it is an essential component of protective winter creams and masks. When using it, you don’t have to worry about chapping your skin; it’s enough to apply a cream containing it before going out into the cold;
• In addition, lanolin significantly accelerates the regeneration of small wounds and microcracks , which has earned recognition not only from cosmetologists, but also from doctors.

Important : people who are allergic to animal fats and have acute skin problems or chronic skin diseases should use this product with caution.

If such problems exist, preliminary consultation with a specialist is recommended.

Lanolin in cream

In addition, you should not use creams containing this wax too often : just as human sebum can clog pores and cause inflammation if in excess, lanolin can provoke this undesirable phenomenon.

Attention : For dry facial skin, one application per day will be enough, before bed, so that the cream has time to be properly absorbed; for combination skin, it is advisable to apply three to four times a week; for oily facial skin, no more than twice a week.

special instructions

Lanolin cream is not suitable for oily, normal and problematic skin types - due to the large amount of fat, it is too heavy and clogs the pores, causing new inflammation and acne. Before use, it is better to consult a dermatologist or cosmetologist. Use during pregnancy is permitted.

Contraindications include:

• infectious skin diseases (including psoriasis);
• dermatitis in the active phase;
• open wounds in the treatment area;
• individual intolerance.

The shelf life of a cream based on animal fat is 30 months, but after the tube has been opened, it must be used within six months.

How to use it in cosmetology

US and EU regulatory authorities recognize lanolin as safe for use in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, and the same applies to all its derivatives. Lanolin is included in many skin care products: creams, balms, lipsticks.

Hair curls especially like lanolin, it makes them soft and manageable. In shampoos with surfactants, lanolin neutralizes the latter. Eyebrows need the substance even more - lanolin nourishes the hair follicles, giving them volume and preventing hair loss.

Many masks with lanolin have been created for facial skin, which nourish and moisturize the dermis, rejuvenating it. These are anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, toning, moisturizing, restoring masks. Animal wax reduces transepidermal moisture loss, minimizes peeling and cracks that occur due to chapping.

Lanolin is used as a thickener, emollient, emulsifier and preservative. It is involved in the treatment of age spots, especially those caused by hormonal imbalances, mechanical damage to the skin, stress, exacerbation of somatic diseases and sunburn.

Giphy

Therapy with drugs containing lanolin is carried out after a complete examination of the patient, on an individual basis. Animal wax nourishes the dermis and balances metabolic processes, blocks the progression of skin dryness and inflammation. Lanolin also whitens the dermis and improves its shade. The advantage of animal wax is its free interaction with substances of other groups.

In addition, lanolin is an active ingredient in nail plate care products: the substance softens the cuticle and prevents the formation of hangnails.

Analogs

What is lanolin?

Lanolin is a substance obtained by boiling sheep wool, otherwise it is called wool wax, or animal wax. It differs positively from other types of wax by the increased content of sterols in its composition (complex organic compounds, steroid derivatives), which has a good effect on human skin.

It is worth noting the fact that the properties of lanolin have not been fully studied to date, but the fact of its beneficial effect on human skin is beyond doubt . This is due to the chemical composition of wool wax, which includes alcohol esters and beneficial fatty acids.

Interesting fact : lanolin in properties is very close to the secretions of the human sebaceous glands, intended to moisturize and nourish the skin, this is what determines its unique beneficial effect on the skin.

The most important property of lanolin is the ability to emulsify water, glycerin and ethanol , which only increases the value of animal wax as an ingredient in cosmetics.

Lanolin

Reviews

Christina: My hands were very red from the cold, they were cracking, it was kind of terrible. I was advised Lanolin cream - despite the fact that it is a facial product, it helped me cope with my problem.

Lisa: Simple and cheap cream, I was even afraid to apply it to my face. But I took a risk and didn’t regret it - it moisturizes the skin perfectly!

Masha: Even my husband uses a cream with lanolin - after shaving he applies it to the skin so that there is no irritation. It helps a lot.

In medicine

The main beneficial properties of lanolin are also used in official medicine as part of medicinal preparations for external use. They treat skin defects, wounds, cracks, calluses, corns, abrasions, and allergic rashes. Therapeutic gels based on it help regeneration, have an anti-inflammatory and cooling effect. It is lanolin that is recommended for pregnant women to solve emergency dermatological problems, as well as in the postpartum period for nipple healing.

Animal wax perfectly corrects problematic skin with dermatitis and dermatoses, acne and post-acne, rosacea and rosacea, psoriasis and eczema. In children, lanolin is indispensable in the treatment of atopy and contact dermatitis. The substance softens the skin, disinfects it, and prevents secondary infection.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: Pexels

Animal wax accelerates the absorption of drugs, so it is often combined with zinc oxide and used in dressings with a therapeutic effect.

Indications for use of the cream

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If you look at the reviews of lanolin cream, it becomes clear that the indications for its use are:

• excessive dryness of the skin;
• weathering;
• cracks on the lips and nipples during breastfeeding.

It is recommended to use this product to prevent stretch marks and stretch marks on the abdomen during pregnancy. It can be used to restore the water-salt balance of the skin during the winter period.

Lanolin cream is recommended for use for:

• presence of calluses;
• rough, weathered and cracked dermis;
• age-related skin changes in the eye area;
• dehydrated, withered dermis on the neck and face.

In industry and cooking

The shiny vegetables and fruits on our shelves are thanks to lanolin. In the food industry, it is known as the E913 additive and acts as a glazing agent not only for fruits and vegetables, but also for nuts, dragees, chocolate and candies, baked goods and even chewing gum. Cooks use animal wax to prevent foaming and to aid in the consistency of finished products.

In production, lanolin is known as a means for making lubricants and concrete.

What else is included in the Nevskaya Cosmetics cream?

Nevsky cream is made on the basis of lanolin. For better consistency, easy application and enhanced therapeutic effect, other components have been added to the cosmetics.

1. Beeswax. Improves the condition of damaged and inflamed skin, accelerates regeneration, heals wounds and scratches.
2. Mineral oil. Softens the skin, makes it silky, eliminates rough calluses and the consequences of calluses.
3. Vaseline oil. Protects the face from frost or cold wind, soothes irritated areas.
4. Ceresin. It is used to improve consistency, is hypoallergenic, and is even used in children's cosmetics.
5. Emulsion wax. This herbal emulsifier dilutes the thick consistency of lanolin cream.

Lanolin is the main component of Nevsky cream. Natural oils and fats dilute the dense texture.

If you decide to make skin care cosmetics at home, you can add honey, fruit or citrus juices, eggs, and vitamins. Masks made from such home remedies are safer, but do not last long. After making them, it is recommended to store the jar of the mixture in the refrigerator for no more than two weeks.

Instructions for use

The instructions for using lanolin cream say that before the procedure you need to cleanse your face well. After this, squeeze a little product onto your hand and apply evenly to the main areas of the face. You need to distribute the cream along massage lines from:

You need to smear it carefully, but intensively, so the product is better absorbed into the dermis. Apply to the skin around the lips and eyes with gentle, lightly patting movements. You should not spread it in a thick layer, as the skin in this area is very delicate and it is difficult for it to absorb it. Do not allow lanolin to get into your eyes. After 20-25 minutes, the remaining cream should be blotted with a paper napkin. After this procedure, your facial skin will take on a well-groomed and radiant appearance.