When cold winter air makes my skin taught and dry, lanolin is my go-to moisturizer
Though lanolin is an oil, and technically not a moisturizer because it doesn’t contain water, this is my only source for moisturizing relief in these harsh conditions.
Unlike other oils, which often come on oily and once absorbed actually dry out your skin, lanolin will keep it feeling soft and relieved from shower to shower. This is partly because lanolin chemically most closely resembles the oils that our skin naturally produces to control moisture.
As with any other body of water, moisture is continuously evaporating from our skin. Lanolin has a coating effect that keeps that moisture from being drawn out, while allowing the skin to breathe without clogging pores, and so creating an unrivaled and lasting moisturizing effect. This is why cremes can only ever provide a temporary solution, because adding a tiny bit of hydration to the top layers of your skin will only give relief until that water has also evaporated.
What is lanolin?
It’s the oil that sheep produce to keep their wool coats water proof and deodorized. Lanolin is a cruelty-free product. Sheep are not harmed in the extraction of the oils. The oil is simply boiled off from cut wool. The practice of using lanolin dates back ancient Greece and is essentially as old as the use of wool itself. The extraction process requires no chemicals or harsh agents – though not all brands are equal.
NOW
The NOW brand offers an affordable and high quality, water extracted lanolin, that’s widely available too. There are many other trustworthy companies making lanolin, just look for the promise of water extraction.
Why else use lanolin?
Try it for psoriasis, eczema, post breast-feeding, chapped lips, or any other dry area on your body. Great under the eyes too!
How to apply
- Be sure that you’re dry when you apply the oil, it’s otherwise difficult to rub in because it repels water.
- Pour a generous amount of oil in your palm, then rub your hands together to give it some heat so that it thins a bit.
- Gently run it across an area of skin to get the max coverage – this stuff is sticky! – then rub in vigorously.
The only downside to this oil is that it’s tough to rub in and will leave you feeling a little sticky for a short while. Given this detail, it’s best to apply at night before bed so that the oil can have time to soak into your skin. The upside is that the next day you wake up with silky soft skin! And you’ll stay moisturized all day long.
Price: $6.76 Buy It: Amazon
NOW Liquid Lanolin
$8.90
Pros
- Creates a protective layer necessary to prevent chapped skin in cold climates
- Long lasting
- Water extracted
- Cruelty free
- Affordable
